Mariia Plotnikova, Associate Professor of the Department of Economics, Entrepreneurship and Tourism at Polissia National University, PhD of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor.

Research interests: socio-environmental aspects of small business development; innovation and investment foundations for entrepreneurship development; innovative approaches to starting a business and employment; problems in the theory and practice of strategic management of territorial development; systematic development of a network of settlements in rural areas through the implementation of the ‘Family Homestead idea, development of ecological and family settlements.

Activities and achievements: head of the research topics ‘Mechanisms for the systematic development of a network of settlements in rural areas’, ‘Administrative, project and cluster foundations for multifunctional socio-economic development of Ukraine and creation of tourist magnets’, secretary of the Research Institute of Management, Business and Law at Polissia National University, member of the editorial board of the journals "Economics. Management. Innovations" (Zhytomyr); "Herald of Kyiv Institute of Business and Technology" (Kiyv); ‘Acta Scientific Agriculture (ASAG)’ (KPHB, Hyderabad, India); head of the Zhytomyr Regional Nongovernmental Public Organisation ‘People's Movement for the Protection of the Earth’.

Nataliia Bondarchuk, Ph.D in Law, Associate Professor of Department of Law in Polissia National University (Zhytomyr, Ukraine). Nataliia is Head of the Law Clinic of the Polissia National University. Associate Professor Nataliia Bondarchuk is doing a research internship at the Fil. Dr. Jan-U. Sandal Institute from 17 January to 25 January 2025. As part of the internship, Associate Professor Nataliia Bondarchuk is studying the role of social entrepreneurship in improving access to legal aid, as well as the legal regulation of social entrepreneurship.

Oleksandra Makarenko was a first-year master’s student at the Department of International Economic Relations and European Integration at Polissia National University (Zhytomyr, Ukraine). In January 2025, she was an exchange scholar at the Fil. Dr. Jan-U. Sandal Institute (Oslo, Norway), where she also graduated from The Social Entrepreneur School IBS (Innovation, Business and Society).

During 2025 Oleksandra conducted independent research in the field of social entrepreneurship under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Jan-Urban Sandal. Her academic interests focus on the potential of social entrepreneurship to address complex socio-economic challenges and create sustainable community development. Her article, “The Power of Social Entrepreneurship: Reviving Ghost Towns,” explores innovative approaches to revitalizing abandoned communities through socially driven initiatives.

Oleksandra also initiated a cataloging project dedicated to documenting the gifts of the Dr. Sandal Institute. With the support of Dr. Sandal, she began developing this archive and she hopes that future interns will continue expanding it by contributing detailed descriptions of each artifact and its significance.

Oleksandra Makarenko believes that the publication of a museum book is an important step in preserving institutional memory, sharing knowledge, and making cultural and academic heritage accessible to a wider audience. It serves not only as a record of artifacts, but also as a source of inspiration for future researchers and students.

Oksana Prokopchuk (PhD in Economics, 2010) is a is associate professor of the Department of International Economic Relations and European Integration of the Polissia National University (Zhytomyr, Ukraine). She is an exchange scholar at Fil. Dr. Jan-U. Sandal Institute (Oslo, Norway).

Research interests: social entrepreneurship, innovative teaching methods, business internationalization, international investment processes.

Fil. Dr. Jan-U. Sandal Institute invited Oksana Prokopchuk to visit the institute in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of the Agreement between the two parties. The visit within the framework of academic mobility will take place on the territory of the Institute from 17 January to 25 January 2025.

In 2025, she graduated from The Social Entrepreneur School IBS (Innovation, Business and Society) at Fil. Dr. Jan-U. Sandal Institute. Oksana Prokopchuk is conducting independent research in the field of social entrepreneurship with the support of Prof. Dr. Jan-Urban Sandal as her supervisor.

Active participant in international project activities - participated in projects:

1. ERASMUS+ Jane Monnet program “EU Cohesion Policy” (101082325-EUCP), 2022–2025.

2. ERASMUS+ Jane Monnet educational module “European case of inclusive rural development policy: a roadmap for Ukraine” (101082258-ECIRDPRU), 2022–2025.

3. ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE “Education for Sustainable Development: Synergy of Competences for the Reconstruction of Ukraine” (101178414- SUSTED), 2024-2027.