Discourse Analysis of International Scientific Organizations in the 2022 Russia–Ukraine Conflict: A Natural Language Processing Approach

Abstract

The scientific community has not stayed outside the Russia–Ukraine conflict. This study analyzes the attitudes and roles of international scientific organizations in the conflict, based on 923 official statements, through a combination of discourse analysis and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, including sentiment analysis and topic modeling. The findings reveal that 527 organizations issued statements, with 47% explicitly “supporting Ukraine and condemning Russia”, and 13% maintaining a neutral stance. These statements reflect diverse concerns, including the conflict’s immediate humanitarian impact, disruption to scientific collaboration, and broader political and social implications. This research contributes to understanding how international scientific organizations navigate conflict contexts by systematically uncovering their attitudes, focus areas, and actions. Through a thematic analysis, the study demonstrates how these organizations articulate their positions, advocate for specific measures, and leverage their influence to address issues such as economic support, scientific collaboration, and healthcare assistance. By identifying these behaviors, the study clarifies the strategic roles scientific organizations play in shaping discourse and mediating international relations, offering key insights into their impact during geopolitical crises.