Studies on World History, International Relations and Foreign Policy of Ukraine at the Institute of History of Ukraine of the NAS of Ukraine: Traditions and Contemporary Development

Abstract

The article summarises the results of almost 75-year old research activities on world history, international relations and foreign policy of Ukraine by one of the leading departments of the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The history of structural reorganizations of the institute and department, its staff composition, research problems and innovative manner of many scholarly works of the department in the Soviet period on the history of foreign countries and international relations of Ukraine, despite the political and ideological engagement of historical science in the USSR, are investigated. The author focuses on changes in methodological and historiographical paradigm, in the department's research issues following the crash of Communist regimes in Europe, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the break-up of the socialist camp, the end of the Cold War, Ukraine’s declaration of independence. The paper emphasises that for thirty years of Ukrainian independence the researchers of the Department of the History of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Ukraine have prepared over 100 original scholarly publications (individual and collective monographs, thematic collections of scientific papers, historical chronicles, collections of documents and materials, etc.). These scholarly works are a significant achievement of the department and a substantial contribution to the development of national historiography at the present time. The department’s participation is also crucial in training of highly qualified professionals in world history, as evidenced by the preparation and successful defence of about 50 pre-doctoral dissertations and doctoral theses, as well as in developing international scholarly relations among historians and coordination of scientific activities in Ukraine focusing on world history and international relations