On February 28, the second stage of the All-Ukrainian competition for the defense of research works by members of the Sumy territorial branch of the Small Academy of Sciences of Ukraine took place in the Sumy region. In the “Folklore Studies” section, a representative of the Sumy National Agrarian University, Doctor of Philology, Professor Inna Kharchenko, took part in the work of the jury and headed the jury of the section.
The aim of the competition is to support and develop the research activities of gifted students, to develop academic writing skills, critical thinking, and the ability to publicly defend their own research. The event is aimed at popularizing science among schoolchildren, identifying and supporting talented young people, and forming national and cultural identity through the study of folklore heritage.
Within the regional stage of the competition, students from secondary schools in Sumy region — winners of the previous stage — presented their research. In the “Folklore Studies” section, 13 research papers were presented, devoted to the study of local traditions and rituals, analysis of the transformation of folklore in the modern sociocultural environment, research into family and regional cultural heritage, as well as issues of preserving intangible cultural heritage.
The jury evaluated the written works and public defenses according to specific criteria: relevance of the topic, scientific novelty, independence of research, reasonableness of conclusions, and presentation skills. During their work, the jury members not only analyzed the projects presented, but also provided participants with professional recommendations, supporting their desire for scientific research.
According to jury chairwoman Inna Kharchenko:
“The level of preparation of the participants made a very positive impression: the works were distinguished by their depth of understanding of the topics, methodological balance, and sincere interest in traditional culture. It is particularly valuable that young researchers not only record folklore material, but also seek to interpret it in a contemporary sociocultural context.”
The participation of SNAU scientists in the jury of the Junior Academy of Sciences competition demonstrates the university’s active position in supporting young researchers and promoting scientific activity among young people. At the same time, such cooperation contributes to the preservation and understanding of Ukrainian cultural heritage, the formation of national identity, and the development of the scientific culture of the future generation of researchers.
