2026 TCUP Conference

Solidarity Within and Beyond Ukraine

January 30-31, 2026
Cambridge, MA

Tsai Auditorium (S010)
CGIS-South Building
1730 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

At the time of the 2026 TCUP Conference, we will be approaching four years of Russia's war in Ukraine. The stakes of the war have never been higher— for Ukraine or for the world. What does Solidarity mean in a global context where we are on the brink of a world war?

We will explore the shifting dynamics of global solidarity with Ukraine (and the forces that undermine this solidarity) as well as the evolving forms of political engagement that are giving renewed meaning to the idea of Solidarity within Ukraine itself.

Keynote speaker: Maksym Butkevych, human rights activist, journalist, and winner of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize (2025).

Conference Program

Please note, this program is subject to change.

January 29, 2026

6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Film Screening: 2000 Meters to Andriivka by Mstyslav Chernov 

January 30, 2026

9:45 a.m. 
Opening Remarks

10 a.m. to noon 
Panel 1: Global Solidarity with Ukraine 

Moderator: Rory Finnin, University of Cambridge 

Panelists: 
Nataliya Gumenyuk, Public Interest Journalism Lab (online) 
Yevhen Hlibovytsky, Frontier Institute 
Sergio Jaramillo, Acordemos (online) 
Roman Waschuk, Former Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine

1:00-2:00 p.m.
Art Exhibit: With Ribbons and Flags. 

Introduction and Discussion with Emily Channell-Justice and Sam Veremchuk. (Belfer Case Study Room)

2:00-4:00 p.m. 
Panel 2: Солідарність: Political Activism and Civic Engagement 

Moderator: Emily Channell-Justice, Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute 

Panelists: 
Yuliya Bidenko, Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute/V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University 
Emma Mateo, Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute 
Ivan Shmatko, Washington and Lee University 
Yevhen Shybalov, independent consultant and author

4:30-6:00 p.m. 
Keynote Lecture: Maksym Butkevych

January 31, 2026

10 a.m. to noon 
Panel 3: Solidarity under Occupation 

Moderator: Oleksandra Tarkhanova, University of St. Gallen

Panelists: 
Alim Aliev, Ukrainian Institute, PEN Ukraine 
Neringa Klumbyte, Miami University, Ohio 
Oksana Mikheieva, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Kyiv School of Economics (KSE)
Alisa Sopova, Princeton University

2:00-4:00 p.m. 
Panel 4: US-Ukraine Solidarity: Activism and Advocacy 

Moderator: Melinda Haring, Razom for Ukraine 

Panelists: 
Sean Kivlehan, Mass General Brigham/Harvard Humanitarian Initiative 
Meaghan Mobbs, Weatherman Foundation (Online)
Nate Mook, All Hands & Hearts
Sarah Phillips, Indiana University

4:30-6:00 p.m. 
Closing Reception will include a performance by Yaryna Tsymbal

Lee Gathering Room (S-030, CGIS South Building)

Please join us for light refreshments, conversation, and music.