British astrobiologist Charles Cockell completed a month-long visit to KNU, resulting in new research and the establishment of the Centre for Astrobiology.
Professor of Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh, Charles Cockell, completed a month-long academic visit to Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv as part of The Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports UK–UA Visiting Professors Programme. From 16 May to 14 June 2026, the British scientist worked with Ukrainian students and researchers on planetary sciences and astrobiology.
The month-long visit combined lectures, scientific seminars, and meetings with students, master’s and PhD candidates, lecturers, researchers at KNU, and institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. For the university, this collaboration marked a step towards astrobiology and planetary sciences.
During his stay at KNU, Professor Cockell delivered 16 lectures and presentations, including 11 lectures for students, two scientific seminars, lectures for pupils at the Ukrainian Physics and Mathematics Lyceum of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and presentations at an international astronomy conference and the event ‘Education of the New Ukraine 2.0’. The programme focused on the origins of life, the limits of its existence, the future of Earth’s biosphere, the search for life on Mars and other bodies in the Solar System, and the prospects for discovering biospheres around other stars.
Another outcome of the visit was the further promotion of the idea of establishing a Centre for Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences at KNU. The future centre is intended to bring together the expertise of the Educational and Scientific Centre “Institute of Biology & Medicine”, the Astronomical Observatory of Kyiv National University, the Faculty of Physics, Educational and Scientific Institute “Institute of Geology” and other university departments to conduct research at the intersection of biology, physics, geology and space sciences.
During his visit, Professor Cockell also worked with KNU biologists on the potential to utilise Ukrainian research on extremophiles and radiation-resistant microorganisms. At the Faculty of Physics, they discussed prospects for joint research based at the Centre for the Collective Use of Scientific Equipment «Microscopy and Laser Spectroscopy».
A separate focus was a trilateral project among the University of Edinburgh, KNU, and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute to launch biological payloads on small satellites. This moves the collaboration from academic exchange to joint research projects.
Working with young people was an important part of the programme. Professor Cockell met with pupils from the Ukrainian Physics and Mathematics Lyceum of KNU, toured the laboratories and familiarised himself with the STEM education system. During the lectures, students and schoolchildren asked questions about life in the Universe, the future of the biosphere, space research and the responsibility of science to society.
For KNU, this visit was part of a longer-term collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, particularly within the Twinning initiative. At the closing session, Professor Charles Cockell agreed to continue the collaboration as a permanent visiting professor at KNU.
The UK–UA Visiting Professors Programme is implemented by the Fund of the President of Ukraine in partnership with the UK–Ukraine Academic Diaspora Network, JSC “Ukrgasbank” (UGB) and the Сhаritable Foundation «MHP-Hromadi».
The Fund of the President of Ukraine would like to thank Professor Charles Cockell, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, students, postgraduate students, lecturers, researchers, the university team and the programme’s partners.
Background
The Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports supports talented young people, promotes the development of Ukraine’s human potential, international academic cooperation and the involvement of foreign lecturers and researchers in Ukrainian higher education and research institutions.
The Fund’s activities include: awards and scholarships from the President of Ukraine for talented young people; support for young researchers; the development of international educational and scientific programmes; participation of Ukrainian youth in events; strengthening STEM education; and the creation of opportunities for study and research in Ukraine.
