Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield condemns the invasion of Ukraine and reflects on the response of the University community.

“Over the past week, we have followed the news about Ukraine in disbelief. Students and staff, indeed all of us I suspect, are appalled that the Russian leader is enacting the invasion of a sovereign democratic nation on our doorstep.

"This is an act of illegal brutality, which is bringing misery to all involved, and at Lancaster University I want to make clear that we condemn it in the strongest terms.

"Frankly though it’s hard to think of anything other than the suffering of those caught up in the war in Ukraine.

"As a university, and as part of the Lancaster community it is a reminder of the fragility of the structures that allow civilization to flourish. Yet a university is an example of a place where we must model and teach how to respond to adversity and disagreement.

"At our graduation ceremonies in December, I was struck again by the line we often use about being a place where we build bridges, not walls. But, what does that mean in practice? In my own experience, I have seen how shared scientific goals have brought scientists together in common cause, transcending boundaries of war. I can recall taking a visitor to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN who could not get over the fact that teams of scientists from nations at war were working together on a single experiment.

"Meanwhile here at Lancaster our sanctuary bursary and fellowship programmes continue to support students and scholars who face persecution and barriers to free academic pursuit in their own countries.

"With every new generation of students, we bring together in Lancaster people from all over the world including from Ukraine and Russia. There is great richness in that diversity.

"I recognise that this is a very distressing time for many. It is heartening to see our community pull together in events such as the protest that was held by students on campus this week.

"Please know that our students and staff who’ve been directly affected can be assured of our support, and I would encourage you to continue to check our communications channels where you will find information about help that is available."