System for assessing the stability of state scientific systems: a framework concept for Ukraine

This academic paper is dedicated to developing a unified methodology for assessing the resilience of state scientific systems during prolonged crises, using Ukraine during the full-scale war as a primary case study. The research provides a thorough analysis of the historical context of the formation of Ukraine’s scientific system — from the Soviet legacy with its hierarchy and dominance of academies, through a period of inconsistent reforms and institutional “decoupling”, to the modern challenges posed by war. The authors identify a significant gap in existing research, which, while describing individual components of the system, lacks a holistic tool for assessing its overall resilience. As a solution to this problem, the paper proposes a comprehensive framework concept based on adapting the McManus resilience scale to the specifics of scientific activity in conditions of armed conflict. The methodology is structured around four interconnected components: situational-crisis (threat awareness, operational planning), resource-adaptation (relocation, funding, digitalization), network-communication (international cooperation, internal linkages), and strategic-recovery (reorientation of research, reconstruction, future vision). For each component, a system of criteria and a 5-point Likert assessment scale has been proposed, enabling a transition from theoretical analysis to practical monitoring and diagnostics. The study holds significant applied potential by offering a tool for evidence-based state policy formulation aimed at enhancing the resilience of science not only in Ukraine but also in other countries experiencing profound crises. As prospects for further research, the authors outline the empirical validation of the methodology, comparative cross-country analyses, and the development of tools for proactive policy. The proposed framework paves the way for systematic monitoring and comparative analysis of the resilience of scientific systems, which is essential for formulating grounded and effective state policy in the face of global challenges and protracted instability.