Oleh Shynkarenko¶

PhD Candidate in Philosophy University of Pécs, Faculty of Philosophy

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I am a Ukrainian journalist, writer, and researcher with a lifelong passion for literature, philosophy, and science fiction. My journey spans from engineering to creative writing, from journalism to academic research, and I am excited to share my work and experiences with you.

Professional Background¶

Born in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, I hold a bachelor's degree in Automation of Technological Processes and Production from Zaporizhzhya State Engineering Academy and a postgraduate diploma in English Translation from the Classic Private University in Ukraine. I am currently pursuing my PhD at the University of Pécs¹, focusing on the intersection of science fiction, philosophy, and cultural studies.

My professional experience includes over:

• 20 years in journalism and creative writing,
• 10 years in video and audio production,
• 7 years as a technical writer specializing in software and hardware documentation.

Academic and Research Interests:

My PhD research, titled "From Utopia to Dystopia: Ukrainian Science Fiction and the Collapse of Techno-Communism", explores Ukrainian science fiction as a form of intellectual resistance and philosophical inquiry. Key areas of focus include:

• Postcolonial Studies: Examining Ukraine as a cultural space under Russian oppression.
• Ukrainian Sci-Fi and Positivism: Analyzing its response to the rise and decline of Soviet positivist ideologies.
• Postmodern and Metamodern Shifts: Investigating literary transitions after the collapse of the USSR.
• Global Connections: Exploring how Ukrainian sci-fi interacts with and is influenced by global science fiction traditions. Through my research, I aim to highlight the cultural and philosophical richness of Ukrainian science fiction and its relevance to understanding broader societal changes.

Creative and Journalistic Achievements¶

I have authored six fiction books, including:

• Kaharlyk (2014), a satirical dystopia exploring identity in post-apocalyptic Ukraine.
• The First Ukrainian Robots (2016), a reflection on humanity and technology.
• Cherep (2017), an exploration the irrational roots of the so-called "Russian world", which led to the growth of aggression and militarization of modern Russian society.
• Bandera Distortion (2019), a provocative take on historical and cultural narratives.

My work has been published in both Ukrainian and English, with international recognition for my unique voice and perspective. Beyond literature, I have produced over 600 articles and 200+ radio podcasts, engaging with topics ranging from philosophy to human rights.

Publications and Presentations¶

I am proud to have presented my research at international conferences, including:

• Budapest Workshop on Philosophy and Technology 2023 (Budapest, Hungary, BudPT23): keynote "Science Fiction in Ukraine: 1920–2020."
• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Student Conference 2024 (Pécs, Hungary, IDK2024): Award-winning presentation on "The Decline of Positivism in the 20^th Century through Ukrainian Sci-Fi."
• Collision Points XI (Szekszárd, Hungary, 2024): Presentation on the genre's transitions in Ukrainian sci-fi literature.
• Passau Summer School for Applied Ethics (Passau, Germany, 2024): Accepted to discuss my topic in a multidisciplinary setting.
• SOFIKON 2025 Szentágothai Higher Education Interdisciplinary Conference (Pécs, Hungary, 2025) Presentation “The Decline of Positivism and the Evolution of Ukrainian Science Fiction”.
• Collision Points XII (Veszprém, Hungary, 2025): Presentation "From Mysticism to Mechanism: The Intellectual Evolution of the Human Mind" (Savchenko, Baudrillard, and Dennett: postmodern representation of individuality).
• Young Philosophers Conference 10 (Pécs, Hungary, 2025): Presentation "Sandro Kasyanyuk: enfant terrible of Ukrainian techno-communism".
• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Student Conference 2025 (Pécs, Hungary, IDK2025): Presentation on "An unfortunate Benjamin's mistake".

• Budapest Workshop on Philosophy and Technology 2025 (Budapest, Hungary, BudPT25): Presentation "Ethical Ghosts on a Robotic Battlefield in Ukraine"
• Young Philosophers Conference 2025 (Budapest, Hungary, National University of Public Service): Presentation "Vasyl Berezhnyi: Collapse of Techno-Communism"
• Contexts. Eighth International Interdisciplinary Conference for Young Scholars in Social Sciences and Humanities 2025 (Novi Sad, Serbia): Presentation "Vasyl Berezhnyi: Collapse of Techno-Communism"
• The American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages Conference 2026 (New Orleans, LA, AATSEEL 2026): The Faces of War: How Cinema Shapes and Distorts Historical Memory in Ukraine
• Philosophy in Technology – Different Perspectives, PinT 5^th Edition (Wrocław, Poland, April 10, 2026): The Illusion of Understanding: Beyond the Chinese Room

Why Ukrainian Sci-Fi?¶

Growing up in a society where philosophy was often censored, I found intellectual refuge in Ukrainian sci-fi. Works by authors like Volodymyr Savchenko inspired me to explore profound philosophical questions, blending my love for literature and critical thinking. Today, I believe Ukrainian science fiction is not only a lens through which to understand the cultural history of Ukraine but also a key to its future as part of a vibrant, global intellectual community.