Insights into the Shifting Public Opinion and Policy Amidst the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis
Student Reflection by Viktoriya Jones (C’25 W’25, French target)
Over the summer, I had the incredible opportunity to conduct an independent research project in Poland about the Ukrainian refugee crisis, specifically on how public opinion towards refugees in Poland has shifted since the start of the war and its policymaking impacts. I spent several weeks in Warsaw, where I conducted expert interviews, meeting with NGO officials, political scientists, professors and scholars, and experts on migration. These conversations provided me with a nuanced understanding of how the political climate and public mood had been changing in the country since February 2022, when the war began. I also spent time visiting historical centers, relevant museums, and temporary exhibitions to gain a more complete picture of the situation.
Additionally, I visited other major Polish cities, such as Krakow and Wrocław, to gain a broader view of how the country as a whole has been responding to the refugee crisis. I found that everywhere I looked, I could see Polish support for Ukraine. Ukrainian flags were raised high beside Polish flags, people held demonstrations to gather donations, there was pro-Ukrainian (and anti-Putin) street art, and I even saw businesses that offered pamphlets in Ukrainian to direct people to support services. Through reading books about refugee policy and relevant academic literature on top of my incredible field research experience in Poland, I have gained an immense amount of knowledge and have been working on writing a research paper titled “The Ukrainian Refugee Crisis: Impacts on Public Opinion and Policymaking in Europe.” I must also thank Professor Sil, my faculty advisor, and Professor Balkan, for all of the support, feedback, and advice they have given me – this project would not have been possible without them.
I was motivated to seek out this experience because I am extremely interested in the intersection of human rights and policy. I have taken courses at Penn such as Human Rights and Globalization and International Law, which inspired me to dig deeper on the topic. I was really excited to practically apply concepts I had learned about in class when working on this research project. I had also been really interested in learning how to conduct political science research, particularly when in the field. Lastly, this project has had a very personal meaning to me, as I am Ukrainian-American. Growing up, I spent countless summers in Ukraine, visiting family. Today, my entire family on my mom’s side continues to live in Ukraine amidst the war. From a young age, I have been attuned to the devastating impacts of global crises on civilians. Engaging in a research project on this topic has been extremely important to me, and I am grateful for the opportunities that the Huntsman Program has provided for me to conduct such impactful work.
My research experience this summer has taught me so much, both academically and personally. Conducting expert interviews and on-the-ground research in Poland has provided me with invaluable experience in gathering and analyzing qualitative data. Working on this project has also improved my methodological skills, and it has given me a new appreciation for fieldwork and political science research. Additionally, this project has deepened my passion for human rights and international law, and it will definitely inform my approach to future academic and professional endeavors. Lastly, this experience has certainly broadened my global perspective. I hope that my insights will allow me to engage in more nuanced discussions with my peers on global issues.
