The Belarusian Research University named after Astafey Volovich is being created as a space where research becomes the basis of education and development of the academic community. The university has a clear research mission: not only to transfer knowledge, but also to generate it, responding to the current challenges of the time.
To ensure the depth and quality of research, specialized research centers will be developed within the university structure. They will unite Belarusian and international experts, scientists and young researchers, creating an environment for analytics, interdisciplinary projects and discussion of key topics in the field of social sciences and humanities.
The centers are open to cooperation with organizations, business and the media: here you can order research, get expert advice, join joint initiatives.

Creating a network of centers is a strategic step towards strengthening Belarusian science and integrating it into the European and global research space.
Each center has its own specificity and academic focus, but together they form a single system that works for Belarus and with Belarus.

The founder and public representative of the Center is Maryna Sokolova, Candidate of Historical Sciences, co-founder and member of the Council of the Belarusian Association of Education and Science.

The Center for Educational Research of Volovich University integrates approaches from various fields of knowledge: pedagogy, philosophy, sociology, psychology, political science, economics, law, history, and technology. The main focus of the activity is the analysis of systemic conditions of access to education, its quality and equity.

Research and educational areas

• Critical educational research – education as a political and social phenomenon, support for teachers as agents of social change.
• Educational policy and governance – alternative policies based on democratic values; cooperation with international organizations.
• Education and technology – critical analysis of digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence in education, development of media and IT literacy, ethical use of technologies.
• Education for social justice – inclusion, equality and human rights.
• Adult education and non-formal learning – development of civic competence.

At the heart of all areas is interdisciplinarity (integration of knowledge from different fields).
The center already has the potential to launch programs in the field of non-formal education, but for other areas (education policy, AI research, transformational research) experts, international partnerships and further development of methodologies are needed.

Plans and existing activities

• A two-year plan has been developed Master’s program “Critical Civic Education: Pedagogical Strategies for Working with Young Adults” (120 ECTS, 4 semesters, hybrid format, teaching in English, Belarusian and Polish). The program is aimed at educators from civic initiatives, activists and researchers, as well as regional specialists in the field of civic education.
• A program for the intra-university seminar “Contours of the University: Theory and Practice” (2025–2026) has been developed to understand the role of the national university abroad.
• The nearest stage (fall 2025 – spring 2026): formation of a research field, establishment of partnerships, pilot launch of educational programs.

Work and interaction formats

• Participatory identification of priorities (focus groups, seminars, dialogues with communities).
• Collaboration with international experts and academics institutes.
• Analytical studies, seminars, open lectures.
• Dialogue with Belarusian educational communities.
• Analysis of urgent needs of Belarusian civic education.

Partnership opportunities

• Joint research and educational initiatives.
• Conferences and open discussions.
• Participation in determining priority topics for research.

Contacts

admin@valovic.university

Center for International Relations Studies