Clarivate launches resource centre to support displaced Ukrainian researchers

Scientific and academic analysis firm Clarivate has launched a resource centre to support displaced researchers from Ukraine. 

Clarivate is providing extended roaming access to the Web of Science and offering accounts for researchers and students affiliated to Ukrainian institutions to ensure continued access. All higher education institutions in Ukraine will be able to freely access the RapidILL interlibrary loan system created by Ex Libris. Clarivate said: “With many researchers, librarians and students unable to reach their university buildings RapidILL will enable them to access materials quickly and easily from their new remote locations.” 

ProQuest Books has also curated more than 200 titles focused on Ukraine, which are available with unlimited access via the latest Open Access Complete collection on Ebook Central. Clarivate is likewise making its editorially independent news, analysis and commentary on the Ukraine crisis available to the global academic research community.  

Articles from journalists at Research Professional News will be free to read globally “to help the academic community understand the impact of Russia’s invasion on international research partnerships and funding”. It also includes guidance on how they can support researchers affected by the conflict, by Oksana Seumenicht, a co-founder of the Ukrainian Academic International Network. 

The package of resources follows Clarivate’s decision to cease all commercial activities in Russia. This week The Bookseller reported that several large academic presses were suspending business in Russia and Belarus, though many are standing by individual researchers in the countries. 

Jerre Stead, executive chair and c.e.o. at Clarivate, said: “I am extremely proud that Clarivate responded rapidly and decisively to join the wide international response to show support for Ukraine. We share the worldwide concerns for Ukraine, now and in the future, and recognise the role we can play in supporting [researchers] to accelerate the pace at which they can research and develop in order to innovate.” 

Clarivate said: "[We continue] to support calls for a ceasefire, the end to hostilities, the protection of civilians and a negotiated settlement to peacefully resolve any differences and to avoid further needless devastation and loss of life for the Ukrainian people.”