Are you interested in digital investigations, human rights, and international justice? Do you want to work with students in Germany and Ukraine to expose war crimes and strengthen accountability?
Bard College Berlin, the Center for Urban History in Lviv, and the Invisible University for Ukraine invite 20 motivated students pursuing a BA or MA degree (10 from Germany and 10 from Ukraine) to join a unique transnational research and advocacy initiative.
WHAT IS THE PROJECT ABOUT?
This project combines open-source investigation training and wartime documentation expertise from Ukraine.
Students will research and document violations of international law in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine and contribute to a professional public report that supports justice and accountability efforts.
The project follows a ‘learn by doing’ approach: Training → Collaborative investigation → Publication → Civic action. It is supported by the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ).
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
1. Get specialized training in digital investigation techniques, including a 6-day workshop in Berlin
- Learn open-source research methods and tools
- Practice evidence preservation, verification, and geolocation
- Work with the Telegram Archive of the War
- Develop ethical, safety, and resilience practices
- Work under the guidance of experienced human rights investigators
2. Produce a public report on war crimes
- Collaborate in cross-border teams
- Conduct supervised investigations
- Contribute to drafting and editing a professional human rights report
- Participate in a public launch and advocacy activities
3. Design your own civic microproject
- In small teams, you will receive €1,000 to create a public-facing project based on the report’s findings. Examples include exhibitions, social media campaigns, podcasts, public dialogues, and media outreach initiatives.
- Receive mentoring in project design, budgeting, and implementation.
COLLABORATE ACROSS BORDERS
You will work closely with students in Germany and Ukraine, with team leaders in Berlin and Lviv, and trainers with deep human rights experience. You will have access to professional psychosocial support throughout the project.
TIME COMMITMENT (March 2026 – February 2027)
March–April: Online training in open-source investigation methods
May 16-23: In-person workshop in Berlin (advanced training & report research). All expenses related to the travel to Berlin and stay in Berlin during the workshop will be covered.
June–October: Research and report writing
November: Public report launch in Berlin
December–January: Student-led microprojects
Expect regular online sessions, collaborative team meetings, independent research time, and active participation in the Berlin workshop.
WHAT YOU GAIN
- Advanced digital investigation skills
- Experience producing a professional human rights report
- Engagement with the Telegram Archive of the War on how Ukrainians are learning about, experiencing, and sharing war testimonies.
- Project design and management skills
- Advocacy and public communication experience
- Cross-cultural teamwork experience
- Resilience and ethical research practices
- Ongoing psychosocial support
- A strong international network
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
We are looking for 10 students from Ukraine and 10 from Germany who care about human rights and justice, are committed to professional research, are motivated and reliable, and are open to working in an international team. No prior investigation experience is required — training will be provided. High proficiency in English is required, as is a commitment to the project over 12 months.
TO APPLY:
- Applicants should fill in the application form via the following link (in English): Exposing Injustice: German–Ukrainian Students for Human Rights| Application Form
- Attach a brief motivation letter: reason for wanting to take part (maximum one page). If you are unable to submit the form for technical reasons, please let us know via email iufu@ceu.edu.
- After submitting your application, you will receive a notification and a copy of your application at the email address provided. If you have missed any required documents, please contact iufu@ceu.edu.
Application deadline: April 6, 2026, midnight (23:59 CET). Selected project participants will be notified by 15 April 2026.
Commitment to participation over 12 months, including the workshop in Berlin (May 16-23, 2026).
If you have any questions, please reach out to Fred Abrahams at f.abrahams@berlin.bard.edu.