Belarusian studies and publishing
Supporting rigorous English-language scholarship and independent analysis of Belarusian history, law, politics, society and international relations.
Public service
Originally from Belarus, Professor Yarik Kryvoi has long supported nonprofit initiatives devoted to the study of Belarusian history, law and society, as well as the country's transition towards the rule of law and good governance.
His public-service work brings together academic publishing, policy research, civic education, legal and educational reform, support for independent analysis and preservation of Belarusian cultural heritage in the United Kingdom.
He founded and formerly served as Editor-in-Chief of Belarus Digest, an independent publication that provided analysis of Belarusian politics, economics, law, education and society. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Belarusian Studies and serves as a trustee of the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum in London.
Main areas of public service
Rule of law and civic education
Developing and supporting research, discussion and educational initiatives concerning legal reform, good governance, universities and civic participation.
Cultural heritage and diaspora
Serving as a trustee of the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum and supporting the preservation of Belarusian books, archives, scholarship and cultural memory.
Belarusian studies and independent publishing
Professor Kryvoi's publishing work seeks to make reliable scholarship and independent
analysis about Belarus available to international academic, professional and general audiences.
The Journal of Belarusian Studies is an English-language academic journal covering Belarusian history, literature, language, law, politics, society and international relations. Professor Kryvoi participated in its relaunch and serves as its Editor-in-Chief.
Belarus Digest was an independent publication providing accessible analysis of Belarusian politics, economics, law, education, society and foreign relations. Professor Kryvoi founded the publication and formerly served as its Editor-in-Chief.
He also helps organise the London Conference on Belarusian Studies, which provides a forum for scholars working on Belarus and facilitates links between researchers in Belarus, the United Kingdom and other countries.
Rule of law, education and good governance
Professor Kryvoi has initiated and supported projects concerning legal education reform, distance learning, the rule of law, institutional development and civic participation in Belarus. This work has included policy papers, conferences, expert discussions and cooperation between Belarusian and British academics and practitioners.
- Comparative work on reforming legal education in Belarus and applying relevant British experience.
- Research on distance education, digital learning and access to modern academic resources.
- Independent analysis of governance, legal institutions, sanctions, foreign policy and economic reform.
- Activities intended to connect Belarusian professionals, academics and diaspora organisations.
Show additional public-service activities
- Founding the Ostrogorski Centre, which developed research, publishing and educational projects concerning Belarus.
- Supporting conferences and expert discussions on legal education, higher education, governance and public policy.
- Facilitating cooperation between Belarusian institutions, British universities, practitioners and international experts.
- Promoting English-language publication and wider international engagement by Belarusian researchers.
- Contributing to initiatives intended to strengthen the role of the Belarusian diaspora in civic education and future reform.
Belarusian cultural heritage
Professor Kryvoi serves as a trustee of the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum in London, one of the leading collections of Belarusian books, periodicals, archives and cultural materials outside Belarus.
His engagement with Belarusian cultural and academic institutions reflects a broader effort to preserve access to historical sources, support scholarship and maintain links between Belarusian communities, researchers and institutions internationally.
Selected publications on Belarus
A comparative assessment of legal education in Belarus and the United Kingdom, with recommendations concerning practical skills, academic research, international cooperation and educational technology.
Examines the development of distance education in Belarus and the legal, institutional and technological barriers to wider access and improved quality.
An assessment of democratic governance, electoral processes, civil society, independent media, local government, judicial independence and corruption.
Considers Belarus's changing regional position after the Ukraine crisis and the implications for relations with the European Union and Russia.
Further books, reports, articles and policy papers are available in the full bibliography.
Institutional cooperation
Enquiries concerning Belarusian studies, academic publishing, conferences, civic education or institutional cooperation may be sent to y.kryvoi@biicl.org.