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.