Dr. Barbara Skinner, a Professor of History at Indiana State University, has been selected to join the Ukrainian History Global Initiative, an ambitious, interdisciplinary project designed to present Ukraine’s history within a global perspective. The framework was launched in 2023 under the leadership of Yale historian Timothy Snyder, and is set to become one of the most comprehensive explorations of Ukrainian history to date, integrating perspectives from over 90 experts worldwide.
Dr. Skinner, an expert on Ukrainian religious and imperial history, will contribute a detailed study of the role of empire and religion in Ukraine from 1700 to 1900, drawing on her acclaimed research on the region’s religious policies. The initiative aims to fill a critical gap in global historical scholarship by highlighting Ukraine’s unique historical trajectory and its impact on world events, which many people are unfamiliar with.
The scale of the Ukrainian History Global Initiative is unprecedented. Scholars will break Ukraine’s extensive history into smaller thematic pieces, covering everything from early human settlements around the Black Sea to contemporary Ukrainian literature.
In September 2024, Skinner was one of 55 scholars who gathered in Kyiv for an intensive meeting of project participants. The diverse team of scholars in attendance faced air raids while planning their research, emphasizing the importance of their work in sharing the story of this Eastern European country from a non-Russian perspective.
“This project is intended to offer a balanced view of Ukraine’s rich and complex history, countering a longstanding focus on Russo-centric narratives,” Dr. Skinner stated. “It is a unique opportunity for involving not only historians but archaeologists, anthropologists, political scientists, and art historians to study Ukraine’s history within the broader trends of world history, from ancient empires to the present.”
Dr. Christopher Olsen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said, “Dr. Skinner is a scholar with an international reputation, as this project so evidently demonstrates. She is a tremendous example of the world-class faculty we have at Indiana State, faculty who produce original scholarship that enhances the university’s reputation. Our students, too, benefit tremendously from the chance to work with faculty like Dr. Skinner. Research is a critical component of what drives so many of our faculty, and a critical part of what makes Indiana State a world-class institution. We’re all just incredibly proud of Dr. Skinner and her work.”
Dr. Melinda Roberts, Dean of Indiana State University’s College of Arts and Sciences, added, " As a leading researcher in religious development and culture, with a particular focus on the Ukrainian and Belarusian peoples in the early modern period, Dr. Skinner’s contributions will be instrumental in shaping this project. Her involvement in the Ukrainian History Global Initiative is a fantastic example of interdisciplinary collaboration on a global scale, which will push the boundaries of learning for our students.”
The project’s ambitious three-year timeline reflects its dedication to presenting a well-rounded, international narrative. The scholars involved hope to provide a lasting resource for understanding Ukraine’s global significance, countering historical biases, and ensuring Ukraine’s story receives the international attention it deserves.
The Ukrainian History Global Initiative aims to utilize research to shape classroom, museum, and literature learning opportunities. Further information can be found online via uhgi.org.