Abstract Geopolitical conflict poses significant challenges to research and innovation policy by disrupting scientific systems and talent mobility. This study analyzes the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly the escalations in 2014 and 2022, on the academic landscapes of both countries. We collected data on academic publications from 2000 to 2023, including 272,924 publications linked to Ukrainian scholars across 425 universities and facilities and 210,765 scholars in Ukraine, and 1,533,758 publications linked to 1968 universities and facilities and 887,624 scholars in Russia. We also gathered collaboration data between Ukraine, Russia, and 193 other countries and regions. We tracked scholar migration and domestic research activity, compared research topics between stayed active scholars and departed scholars, and examined the evolution of international collaboration networks. We find significant migration following both the 2014 and 2022 events, with a particularly severe impact on Ukraine in terms of both talent loss and a sharp decline in domestic research visibility. Migrated Ukrainian scholars increased activity in internationalized basic science fields (e.g., particle physics), while stayed active scholars focused more on applied and strategic areas related to national challenges, reconstruction, and resilience amid conflict and sanctions. Both departed and stayed active scholars experienced decreased output in resource-dependent fields, particularly medical research. International collaboration networks were reshaped, with traditional ties (Russia-West, Ukraine-Russia) dissolving and new collaborations (Russia–neighboring countries, Ukraine–West) rising. Ukrainian scholars migrating to other countries face challenges assuming key research roles, though some smaller host countries’ academic communities showed a trend toward leadership positions. Russian scholars saw a decline in research prominence across most countries, affected by international sanctions. These findings reveal how conflict disrupts national scientific capacity, fractures global research networks, and affects individual academic careers, highlighting the need for targeted policies to support vulnerable academic communities and preserve international scientific cooperation during crises.
Yang Ding (Mon,) studied this question.