Translating Ukraine Summer Institute

Ossolinski National Institute and Wrocław University
Wrocław, Poland
3-15 June, 2024

As the Russo-Ukrainian war continues to unfold, posing a major existential threat to the Ukrainian nation and jeopardizing the very possibility of scholarly development and cultural exchange, many academic presses and publishers are experiencing an acute shortage in quality Ukrainian translators, while talented translators, some exposed to precarious living conditions, are increasingly deprived of professional opportunities. With this understanding, the University of Alberta’s Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS), Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies (MLCS), DUSS UAlberta—Disrupted Ukrainian Scholars and Students Initiative, the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University (USA), the Harriman Institute of Columbia University (USA), Ukrainian Studies Program at Cambridge University (UK), Kolegium Europy Wschodniej (Poland), and New Eastern Europe are launching the first  international Translating Ukraine Summer Institute that will be held in Wroclaw, Poland, on 3-15 June 2024. The organizers are inviting all eligible candidates to apply for this training and professional development opportunity.

Program

Supported by academic partners  in Canada, US, UK, and Poland, this summer institute will focus on training emerging and mid-career translators in the field of literary and academic translation. In a course of  intensive twelve-day training, invited summer institute faculty and experienced professionals will lead workshops and professional development  sessions, aimed at building key skills in Ukrainian-English translation and developing a global network of translators who would work on joint projects in the future. The three offered training modules will centre on translation of literary prose, poetry, and non-fiction/academic texts, ensuring training in a wide array of themes and genres that the participants may choose to work with in the future. The program will also offer space for working on and presenting the participants’ individual projects and for fostering mentoring relationships. 

Eligibility

• 20 participants will be selected on the basis of competitive applications submitted in two stages.
• Stage 1 applications will require a CV focusing on publications and translations, a statement of interest (max. 2 pages), and the names of two referees (professors, publishers, editors, and colleagues who know your work; names and email addresses only). Submission deadline: 1 March 2024.
• Successful Stage 1 applicants will be invited to proceed to Stage 2 where they will submit samples of their translations (published, completed, or in-progress—max. 15 pages) along with respective source texts (also max. 15 pages). Submission deadline: 25 March 2024.
• Eligible candidates shall include:
  • a) practitioners with experience in the field of Ukrainian to English translation, be it beginners or mid-career professionals;
  • b) students enrolled in Ukrainian language courses and translation programs at leading Western universities, participating institutions, and partners. 

Conditions

• There are no fees associated with participation in the Translating Ukraine Summer Institute;
• The organizers shall fully cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and meals for all selected participants.

To apply

Please fill out the Stage 1 Application Form attaching your CV, statement of interest (max. 2 pages) and indicating the names and email addresses of two referees. Please note that only successful Stage 1 applicants will be invited to proceed to the Stage 2 applications where they will be required to submit their translation samples.

Stage 1 Applications shall be accepted until 1 March 2024, with successful participants notified by 31 March 2024.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only individuals selected for participation in the second stage of the application process will be considered. Once the applications are adjudicated, we will inform all applicants about their application outcome. Applicants who were not selected for participation in the current year are invited to apply again next year.

Summer Institute Partners