The International Sociological Field School
9 April 2026
On Tuesday, April 7, the Ukrainian Language Education Centre hosted the webinar “The International Sociological Field School,” featuring Dr. Michael Gulayets, Dr. Myroslav Kashchuk, Dr. Denise Larsen, Joy Long, Yaryna Pynda, Anna Sarabun, and Mary Templado. The webinar introduced a joint initiative between the Sociology Departments at MacEwan University in Edmonton and the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. The credit-bearing program combines the study of social issues with intercultural learning and international travel.
During the webinar, participants were introduced to the history and development of the International Sociological Field School, from its initial planning stages in 2018 to its current format. The presentation highlighted how the program has evolved over time in response to changing global circumstances, while continuing to centre on sociological inquiry, intercultural collaboration, and meaningful international exchange.
The webinar also explored the COIL (Collaborative Online Intercultural Learning) model that guides the structure of the course. Through this approach, Canadian and Ukrainian students work together in mixed research teams on comparative projects related to social inequality. The presenters described the course structure, which includes weekly online meetings, an intercultural learning module, student video podcasts, and a concluding in-person residency in Wroclaw, Poland where students take part in field experiences, agency visits, academic writing activities and final presentations.
A significant portion of the webinar focused on a recently added hope component, which invited students to reflect on hope not only as a personal feeling, but also as a concept that can be studied, practiced, and supported through qualitative inquiry. Webinar participants learned how this component helped students engage in creative and reflective activities, deepen their understanding of cultural perspectives on hope, and develop practical ways of supporting others through questions, narratives, and shared experiences.
The webinar also demonstrated the strong educational value of the program. Student speakers reflected on how participation in the Field School helped them strengthen their sociological research skills, improve their academic English writing, gain practical experience with methods and data collection, and build lasting intercultural connections. The session offered an inspiring example of how international academic collaboration can foster both scholarly and personal growth.
If you were unable to join the webinar, you can watch the full recording on the ULEC YouTube channel at the link below.
Please feel free to share the recording with others who may be interested.