New EWJUS Explores the Environment and Ukrainian Studies
19 June 2026
The Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies has officially released another new issue of its flagship peer-reviewed academic publication, East/West: Journal of Ukrainian Studies (EWJUS).
The new release (vol. 11, no. 1) marks Part 1 of a major two-part special focus titled "Beyond Anthropocentrism in Ukrainian Studies: Proposals from the Environmental Humanities." Guest-edited by Tanya Richardson and Darya Tsymbalyuk, the volume represents the first journal issue of its kind in mainstream Ukrainian studies, shifting the analytical lens toward innovative ecological perspectives.
By stepping outside of human-centric historical narratives, this special issue offers vital reflections on how Ukraine’s environment intersects with its social and political landscapes, especially in the shadow of ongoing conflict. Part 1 features a diverse array of interdisciplinary articles and essays, including:
-
Eco-Motifs in Wartime Music: An analysis of environmental imagery in Ukrainian anti-war songs written during the initial months of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion.
-
The War and the Steppe: A transhistorical look at the deep cultural and ecological legacy of the Ukrainian steppe in the context of the current war.
-
Reimagining Identity: A thoughtful proposal to move beyond rigid, traditional understandings of ethno-national identity by embracing the localized concept of simply becoming "local."
-
Ecofeminist Recoveries: An ecofeminist reading of the academic legacy of ethnographer Kateryna Hrushevs'ka, whose work was tragically suppressed by the Stalinist regime.
The volume also includes a robust book review section, highlighted by an essay from Dr. Frank Sysyn tracing the evolution of Ukrainian historiography across North America.
Established originally in 1976 as the Journal of Ukrainian Studies, the periodical was rebranded in 2014 as East/West: Journal of Ukrainian Studies.