The representative of National University «Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic», PhD, Associate Professor of the Germanic Philology and Translation Department, and International Relations Coordinator of the university's International Activities, Anna Pavelieva, has once again received the high trust of the European academic community. During the Eurodoc 2026 Conference and Annual General Meeting, which took place at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, on June 26 and 27, 2026, she was re-elected to the position of External Communications Coordinator of the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc) by a vote of the representatives of national associations.
Dr Norbert Bencze (Hungary), PhD in Applied Linguistics, was elected as the new president of the organisation for the 2026/2027 term, while Dr Karl Kilbo Edlund (Sweden), MD-PhD and epidemiologist, assumed the office of vice president. In his program, the newly elected head of Eurodoc outlined the federation's development priorities, among which a prominent place is occupied by the continuation of comprehensive support for Ukraine and the protection of academic communities under pressure.
The European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc) is the leading European grassroots federation of national associations of early-career researchers (ECRs) from European countries. Eurodoc was founded in 2002 and established in 2005 as a non-profit, international volunteer organisation based in Brussels, aimed at defending the rights and improving the working conditions of researchers at the beginning of their careers. The core vision of the organisation is to establish a fair and sustainable research culture in which early-career researchers have access to stable career pathways and comprehensive social protection. Eurodoc consistently advocates for the defence of academic freedom, emphasising the indissoluble link between the development of higher education and society's democratic future. Today, the federation unites national associations from 27 European countries, serving as a powerful voice for more than 2 million early-career researchers internationally.
Anna Pavelieva’s successful tenure on the governing bodies of this European institution contributes to strengthening Poltava Polytechnic's reputation as a modern European higher education institution. It opens new opportunities for integrating young Ukrainian researchers into the international scientific community.
The election of the representative of Poltava Polytechnic to such a responsible position for the fifth consecutive time is a testament to her high professionalism, experience, and systematic approach to her work. Anna Pavelieva’s path in leading the communication activities of Eurodoc began in 2022, with subsequent annual re-elections confirming the effectiveness of her efforts.
Throughout her tenure in this position, Anna Pavelieva, together with the communications team, has ensured the quality of the organisation's information dissemination activities. Updated media engagement strategies were implemented, Eurodoc's presence on leading social networks was expanded, and several large-scale information campaigns were conducted. Of particular significance for Ukraine was the “Voices of Ukrainian Scientists” project, in the preparation and implementation of which Anna Pavelieva participated. This project presented a series of interviews with Ukrainian researchers to the European community regarding their work under the conditions of a full-scale war.
Anna Pavelieva expressed her gratitude to her colleagues from the Eurodoc Administrative Board of the 2025/2026 term for their comprehensive support, solidarity with Ukraine, and fruitful teamwork during their term of office. She notes the significant contribution of each team member: President Nicola Dengo (Italy), Vice President Aleksandra Lewandowska (Poland), Secretary Norbert Bencze (Hungary), Treasurer Manca Lunder (Slovenia), as well as board members Magali Weissgerber (France), Linnéa Carlsson (Sweden), Luka Savic (Croatia), and Advisory Board member Pil Maria Saugmann (Sweden). According to her, the joint efforts of the Administrative Board, the Advisory Board, and the communications team made it possible to ensure the organisation's sustainable development and strengthen its standing in communications.
The researcher expressed separate gratitude to the administration of National University «Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic» for fostering an environment that enables the effective integration of teaching, research, and active international work.
An intensive working year lies ahead for the updated Eurodoc team and Anna Pavelieva. The new 2026/2027 term presents the organisation’s communication sector with tasks aimed at further promoting open science, protecting early-career researchers’ rights, and expanding partnerships. The continuation of the Ukrainian representative’s work at this level marks another step toward the deeper integration of the domestic scientific community into the European Research Area, opening up new prospects for joint projects and initiatives.
