Kateryna Kharkivska speaks frankly about law and conflicts

Kateryna Kharkivska is a PhD in Law, a Researcher in the field of Social Sciences, an expert in conflictology, and the founder of the NGO "Center for Research on Public Security Problems".

In the interview, she spoke about her academic career, the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, and the role of dialogue in the modern legal environment.

— Kateryna, what was your entry point into your research field? 

Kateryna Kharkivska: My career started with traditional jurisprudence: courts, legal opinions, legal positions. However, my experience of working with economic and corporate conflicts opened up a different plane: law is not only a tool for punishment or defence, but also a mechanism for building relationships. I watched court victories turn into strategic defeats because they destroyed trust and structures. This prompted me to move on to studying models of conflict resolution and social interaction — exactly where law, psychology, and economics intersect.

— You talk about the power of dialogue. What does it mean in scientific terms? 

Kateryna Kharkivska: This is a category that I study as a prerequisite for social sustainability. Dialogue is not only a tool, but a method of social construction of reality. In my work, I analyse how conflict resolution systems can create new forms of responsibility and partnership. This applies not only to interpersonal situations but also to structural changes in business, community, and education. The models I develop are based on the analysis of real cases, but always have a theoretical basis. I am interested not just in resolving disputes, but in creating an environment where conflicts can become a resource for development.

— How do you manage to combine scientific work and social impact? 

Kateryna Kharkivska: Science should have a way into practice. The Center I founded implements analytical projects related to the security of the business environment, but our main mission is research. We analyse how legal mechanisms affect business behavior, what barriers small and medium-sized enterprises face, and what models can support development through effective conflict resolution. We publish our findings in the form of research, recommendations, and educational materials. For me, this is an example of how science can change approaches.

— What changes do you see in business attitudes towards such models? 

Kateryna Kharkivska: Business is gradually beginning to understand that sustainable development is impossible without internal communication and conflict prevention mechanisms. It is no longer about "softness" but about efficiency. In today's environment, companies are looking not only for legal support but also for systems that help stabilise internal processes. In my works, I show that conflict is a point of choice: either destruction or a new structure. And companies that can see this before the crisis get an advantage.

— What does the Center for Research on Public Security Problems do? 

Kateryna Kharkivska: The Center works in two main areas: scientific research and educational initiatives. We specialise in the legal aspects of security for small and medium-sized businesses. At the same time, we develop theoretical models and test them in real-world conditions through consultations, training, and analytical cases. Our task is to increase the adaptability of the business environment to challenges and create the basis for sustainable development through legal instruments.

— How do you think legal education in Ukraine should be transformed? 

Kateryna Kharkivska: Legal education must move from the accumulation of norms to the formation of thinking. Today, students must learn to model situations, understand the systemic consequences of decisions, and work with uncertainty. Conflicts no longer fit into the logic of "party A versus party B". They are complex processes that require an interdisciplinary vision. I believe that modern legal training should include knowledge of social sciences, economics, and communications. This is the only way we can train professionals who can create, not just regulate.

— Was there a moment that became a scientific turning point for you? 

Kateryna Kharkivska: Yes. I was involved in the case of the corporate conflict, which resulted in lengthy litigation and the destruction of both parties' businesses. After the case was over, one of the participants asked me: "Could we have done things differently?" This made me think — where exactly is the chance for constructive dialogue lost? I began to analyse how to anticipate, structure, and transform a conflict before it takes on a legal form. This is where my research interest was born: what conditions are needed for a solution to be born in a system rather than in a conflict?

— What advice would you give to young scientists who are just starting out in the legal industry? 

Kateryna Kharkivska: Don't be afraid to think beyond your discipline. Jurisprudence is not a closed field. Study related sciences, look for sources of innovation in sociology, psychology, and management. Study not only the law, but also people, contexts, and systems. And remember: law is not only about conflicts, it is also about opportunities. If you can see wider, you will not just be lawyers, but those who shape a new legal culture.