Dr Viktoriia Gorbunova is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, academic, and mental health expert with over two decades of experience at the intersection of psychological care, education, and social policy. Currently based at the University of Luxembourg as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, she is leading an innovative research project focused on developing and evaluating universal mental health training (UMHT) to strengthen inclusive mental health systems, particularly in contexts affected by war, displacement, and systemic trauma.

Her professional experience spans leadership roles in higher education, project management, and clinical supervision. She coordinated mental health-related curricula, supervised clinical placements, and supported reforms to align Ukrainian mental health education with European standards. She has taught psychology and psychotherapy at various institutions and has mentored students and professionals at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

In the humanitarian and development fields, Viktoriia has played a central role in shaping Ukraine’s national mental health reform and was actively involved in designing training programmes for health workers, social workers, and educators responding to the mental health needs of conflict-affected populations. She collaborated with international organisations such as WHO, GFA, and the MSF, contributing to strategic planning, evaluation, and implementation of psychosocial services and workforce development in Ukraine and other crisis-affected countries.

Among her most impactful projects is the ongoing UMHT initiative, which she co-created in response to the war in Ukraine to provide accessible, evidence-informed training for frontline professionals and volunteers. The programme has already reached thousands of trainees and is recognised for its emphasis on localisation, cultural sensitivity, and co-creation with affected communities.

Her academic interests include global mental health, trauma, participatory approaches in programme development. She has published widely and contributed to national policy briefs, training manuals, and academic papers addressing the challenges and opportunities in building resilient and inclusive mental health systems.