KhNMU Professor Represented the University in Germany

Professor Kateryna Karpenko, Head of the Department of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Gender Education at Kharkiv National Medical University (KhNMU), participated in Libori Summer School 2026, held from July 27 to July 31, 2026, at the University of Paderborn (Germany). KhNMU and the University of Paderborn have been developing academic cooperation since signing a partnership agreement in July 2023.

The Summer School marked the 10th anniversary of the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists at the University of Paderborn, the event’s traditional organizer. The opening ceremony featured welcoming addresses by Professor Ruth Hagengruber, Director of the Center and President of the German Philosophical Society, Professor Dr. Matthias Bauer, President of the University of Paderborn, Sabina Kramm, Deputy Mayor of Paderborn, as well as representatives of the European Parliament, local government, and regional development institutions.

During the plenary session, Professor Kateryna Karpenko, a member of the Council of the International Association of Women Philosophers (IAPh), delivered the Laudatio honoring the recipients of the Elizabeth of Bohemia Prize, Professors Luka Boršić and Ivana Skuhala Karasman (Croatia).

As a keynote speaker, Professor Karpenko delivered the lecture “Ecofeminism in the Context of the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI).” Her presentation focused on the challenges that artificial intelligence poses for women and the environment, particularly in the context of war. The lecture generated lively discussion among participants. Students and academic staff from Ukrainian higher education institutions, especially Kharkiv National Medical University, also joined the Summer School online.

During the event, Professor Karpenko met with Christoph Schirmer, Senior Acquisitions Editor at De Gruyter (Germany), to discuss the final stage of publishing the collective volume “Women Philosophers and Scientists Against War and Ecocide: The Ukrainian Context.” The book is based on the proceedings of the international conference jointly organized by Kharkiv National Medical University and the University of Paderborn in October 2023.

Professor Kateryna Karpenko’s participation in Libori Summer School 2026 further strengthened KhNMU’s international academic cooperation and highlighted the University’s contribution to global discussions on artificial intelligence, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and contemporary philosophical thought.