From 21 to 25 September 2026, Professor of Neuropsychology at Bangor University Oliver Turnbull worked at Khmelnytskyi National University as part of the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports’ UK–UA Visiting Professors Programme. The programme included a public lecture, research and practical seminars, mentoring sessions, and discussions on mental health support in the community.
In his public lecture, “Brain, Emotion and Human Behaviour: Modern Perspectives in Neuropsychology”, Professor Turnbull spoke about the relationship between brain function, emotions and behaviour. The research seminar, “Neuropsychology Research in Practice: From Clinical Evidence to Educational Applications”, focused on how the findings of clinical research can be applied in education and rehabilitation.
Oliver Turnbull visited the Faculty of Health, Psychology, Physical Education and Sport, the Psychological Support Centre, the Veterans’ Space and KhNU’s teaching and research laboratories. This provided an opportunity to connect the academic discussion with the work of professionals supporting people both within the university and beyond.
“The most valuable part of such a visit is the moment when a student can ask a world-class researcher a question and receive an answer related to their own area of interest. At KhNU, this concerns research, rehabilitation and support for people experiencing the consequences of the war. We are interested in ensuring that this contact continues through mentoring and joint work,” said Yurii Petrushenko, Director of the President of Ukraine Foundation for Education, Science and Sports.
During a practical seminar for early-career researchers, the Professor discussed research design and strategies for preparing publications for international journals. During mentoring consultations, students, PhD students and academic staff discussed their own research questions and possible next steps.
“The university has specialists who work with very challenging issues every day. For me, it was important to listen to them and explore together how research-based approaches can be useful in education and in supporting people. I hope to continue this conversation with early-career researchers and colleagues,” said Professor Oliver Turnbull.
A separate event was the round table, “Resilience, Recovery and Mental Health Support in Post-War Ukraine: Building University–Community Partnerships”. It brought together KhNU researchers, neuropsychologists, healthcare professionals, rehabilitation specialists, representatives of organisations supporting veterans, and regional partners. They discussed how universities and communities can work together to develop support for people experiencing the psychological consequences of the war.
Watch the video report by TV7+ to see how the meetings, lectures and discussions took place:
A mentoring meeting on academic careers and research projects was also held at the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation Studies. The participants also discussed the Welsh language and culture, which are part of the academic environment at Bangor University.
“We showed the Professor not only our educational programmes, but also the spaces where the university supports people: the Psychological Support Centre and the Veterans’ Space. For us, it is important that discussions of neuropsychology were immediately connected with the needs of the community. The next step is to hold online mentoring sessions and develop joint ideas,” said Serhii Matiukh, Rector of Khmelnytskyi National University.
The in-person part of the visit was one of the stages of cooperation between KhNU and Bangor University. Online mentoring sessions for early-career researchers and a practical seminar on preparing joint international grant applications are planned for October 2026.
The UK–UA Visiting Professors Programme is implemented by the Fund of the President of Ukraine in cooperation with the UK–Ukraine Academic Diaspora Network, JSCB “Ukrgasbank” (UGB) and the “MHP-Hromadi” Charitable Foundation.
Background
Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports is a state institution that supports the systematic development of talented Ukrainians to help restore and realise human potential, support scientific research, and enhance the competitiveness of Ukrainian education at the global level. Its areas of activity include supporting young people in education and science, participation in national and international events, awarding scholarships and prizes of the President of Ukraine, as well as engaging foreign lecturers and researchers in the work of Ukrainian higher education institutions and research institutions. The Foundation coordinates state efforts to develop human capital, supports talented young people and research projects, and promotes international exchange to strengthen Ukrainian education.
Khmelnytskyi National University develops international academic and research cooperation and has an official twinning partnership with Bangor University במסגרת the UK–Ukraine university twinning initiative. For the new stage of cooperation, key areas include psychology, physical and occupational therapy, as well as the work of the Psychological Support Centre and the Veterans’ Space at KhNU.
KhNU’s participation in the UK–UA Visiting Professors Programme provides an opportunity to strengthen teaching and research in the fields of neuropsychology, mental health, rehabilitation and applied cognitive science. Professor Oliver Turnbull’s visit is also intended to support PhD students and early-career researchers, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the long-term partnership between KhNU and Bangor University.