In Memoriam: Dr. Mariya Shcherbyna

Пам'ятаємо, любимо, сумуємо: UKR We remember, we love, we mourn

Dear colleagues, students, friends, and visitors,

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our deeply appreciated colleague and friend, Dr. Mariya Shcherbyna, who worked as Research Associate at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg from April to July 2026.

Mariya Shcherbyna was a scholar with a long-standing and dedicated research trajectory. She studied Philosophy of Culture at Karazin Kharkiv National University, where she earned her PhD with a dissertation on mythological elements in the cultural forms of everyday life. This work laid the foundation for her sustained interest in gender stereotypes as forms of mythological thinking.

Her scholarly work encompassed gender studies and intersectionality, with particular attention to the STEMM gap and women scientists; HerStory, feminist epistemology and epistemic injustice; the intersections of gender, war and forced migration, including war-induced transformations of women's practices and identities.

Prior to joining BTU, she served as Associate Professor at V. Dahl East Ukrainian National University and was a member of the Anti-Discrimination Commission at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. She was also a Comenius Fellow at the University of Siegen (2024) and held an affiliation with Politecnico di Torino (2022-2026).

On 24 February 2022, Mariya's life and academic trajectory were profoundly disrupted by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Her home city, Kharkiv, came under direct attack and has remained exposed to attacks throughout the war, forcing Dr. Shcherbyna to leave her home together with her family. As a Scholar at Risk, she continued her academic work under conditions of displacement and uncertainty, bringing urgent and painful questions into her research and public scholarship. Among the topics she addressed was the relationship between gender, war, agency, memory and forced displacement. Together with Tetiana Havlin, she explored these questions in several publications, including:

“Decolonized Gendered Subjects at War for Freedom and Self-Determination: Women in Combat in Real-Time and in Digitalized Memory.”Gender a výzkum / Gender and Research, 2026, 27(1). (visit)

She also co-authored:

“Intersectional Trap of (In)Visible Identities and Belongings. Between Engagement and Entrapment of Displaced Ukrainian Women Scientists.”Gender Studies, 2025, 24(1). (visit)

Through this work, Mariya gave scholarly visibility to experiences that are often rendered invisible: the changing identities and practices of displaced women scientists and women in combat on the frontline, the gendered dimensions of war, and the struggles surrounding belonging, recognition and academic survival.

Mariya's scholarship was characterized by intellectual courage, sensitivity and a strong commitment to questions of inequality, belonging, gender and justice. Through her research, teaching and collaboration, she contributed to a deeper understanding of the social transformations experienced by women, scholars and communities affected by war and forced migration.

Mariya's scholarship was characterized by intellectual commitment to questions of inequality, belonging, gender and justice. Through her research, teaching and collaboration, she contributed to a deeper understanding of the social transformations experienced by women, scholars and communities affected by war and forced migration.

We remember Mariya with gratitude for her intellectual contributions, her commitment to scholarship, and the traces she left in the academic communities of which she was part.

On 28 October 2026, our team under the leadership of Dr. Estibaliz Sienra Iracheta plans to mark Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a Mexican cultural tradition recognized as intangible cultural heritage. We would like to dedicate this occasion to remembering Dr. Mariya Shcherbyna and reflecting on cultural heritage, remembrance and farewell. We warmly invite colleagues, students, friends and visitors to join us in honoring her memory. Invitation 

In memoriam, Dr. Mariya Shcherbyna. 

Спочивай з миром... (UKR: Rest in peace)

May her memory remain with us through the scholarship, conversations and connections she helped create.