Necessity is the mother of invention for this Ukrainian scholar
Professor Nataliia Kuznietsova. Image: Luisa Low, University of Sydney
Complex systems expert 聽was scrolling the internet late one night from her home in Kyiv when she came across the Australian Academy of Science鈥檚 Ukraine-Australia Research Fund 鈥� a program聽that provides a temporary haven for Ukrainian researchers impacted by the war with Russia, supporting them to continue their research in a secure and welcoming environment.聽
She Googled complex systems researchers in Australia and Professor Mikhail Prokopenko, Director of the University's Centre for Complex Systems came up. 鈥淚 emailed him straight away and he replied promptly,鈥� said Professor Kuznietsova, who researches at the National Technical University of Ukraine 鈥� Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. 鈥淲e quickly realised our research had a lot in common, and the rest, as they say, is history. We prepared an application, it was accepted, and Mikhail became my host researcher.鈥澛�
Professor Kuznietsova is now working with Professor Prokopenko鈥檚 team to develop ways to encourage policymakers and businesses to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and rebuild houses and infrastructure using green materials. 聽
鈥淪o much of Ukraine has been damaged,鈥� said Professor Kuznietsova. 鈥淲hen the war ends, we need to rebuild. We shouldn鈥檛 do it with the industries and methods of old 鈥� it will be an opportunity to create the world鈥檚 first wholly green society.鈥澛�
Professor Prokopenko and Professor Kuznietsova. Image: Luisa Low, University of Sydney
She is using Professor Prokopenko鈥檚 agent-based modelling approach to model the influence and effects of using green finance to spur sustainable development. The technique was used by Professor Prokopenko to predict the spread of COVID-19, as well as model systemic risks in the Australian housing market.
Professor Kuznietsova is also continuing to work with her colleagues in Kyiv to stabilise Ukraine鈥檚 power grid so it can deal鈥痺ith widespread damage caused by missile attacks. She and Professor Prokopenko also plan to model large-scale ecological and humanitarian disasters, like the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, using datasets captured by Ukrainian researchers to understand their wide-ranging, ongoing impact on society and the environment.聽
鈥淢ikhail鈥檚 methodology and my expertise could also be used outside of Ukraine as a 鈥榯est bed鈥� case for other countries dealing with power grid uncertainty and natural disasters due to climate change,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ydney鈥檚 infrastructure, transport networks and built environment have also given me some great ideas I want to take back home.鈥澛�
Professor Prokopenko said Professor Kuznietsova鈥檚 creative approach had been spurred by difficult circumstances. 鈥淣ecessity is the mother of invention,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here are several areas where we can leverage our different strengths. We have a strong track record in engineering at Sydney, but these researchers are rapidly developing high-tech innovation, supercharged by pressing needs. Not only was I willing to help fellow researchers, but I was also interested in exploring that dynamic.鈥澛�
Professor Prokopenko (L) and Dr Orsolya Kekesi (R) from the University of Sydney 聽
with Dr Kateryna Ivanko,聽Dr Hanna Porieva and Professor Nataliia Kuznietsova. Image: Luisa Low聽
Outside鈥痶he鈥疷niversity, Professor Prokopenko has organised cultural and tourist activities for鈥痶he鈥痵cholars and鈥痶heir hosts, including bushwalks in鈥痶he鈥疊lue Mountains and beach trips.聽
鈥淭hese visits have provided a much-needed distraction from鈥痶he鈥痟orrors of鈥痺ar,鈥� said Professor Prokopenko. 鈥淲hile its shadow still looms鈥痮ver鈥痮ur visitors, I have been so impressed by鈥痶heir resilience.鈥疶hey continue to work and innovate under extremely challenging circumstances, helping save lives and protect critical infrastructure in Ukraine.鈥�
Professor Kuznietsova said: 鈥淏eing immersed in Australia鈥檚 multiculturalism and open-mindedness gives me hope for the future of Ukraine. Australia is a country you fall in鈥痩ove鈥痺ith immediately 鈥� and I certainly have鈥�.聽聽
