A strong research institution begins with people — those who generate ideas, foster professional dialogue, open new avenues of research, and transform academic inquiry into tangible results.
That is why strengthening the team with professionals who possess a solid academic background, extensive research experience, and an international professional outlook is particularly important for the Scientific Research Institute of Maritime and Space Law (IMSL).
Candidate of Legal Sciences Volodymyr Borysovych Smelik has joined the IMSL team.
His professional journey reflects a consistent combination of legal education, academic research, international experience, and many years of scholarly work.
Volodymyr Smelik received a solid legal education, graduating from the University of Internal Affairs with a degree in Law and subsequently from the National University of Internal Affairs with a degree in Law Enforcement. He graduated with honours from both institutions.
In 2006, Volodymyr Smelik was awarded the academic degree of Candidate of Legal Sciences in speciality 12.00.09 — Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics; Forensic Examination. His dissertation focused on correlations between specific types of business-related crimes and methodological issues concerning their investigation.
International experience has also played an important role in his professional development. Volodymyr Smelik is a graduate of the Junior Faculty Development Program, which he completed at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, USA.
This academic experience enabled him not only to broaden his professional perspective but also to become part of the international academic community and gain insight into different approaches to legal research, education, and practice.
In 2006, Volodymyr Smelik was awarded the academic degree of Candidate of Legal Sciences in specialty 12.00.09 – Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics; Forensic Examination. His dissertation research focused on the correlations between certain types of crimes in the sphere of entrepreneurship and the problems of methodology for their investigation.
International experience has played an important role in his professional development as a scholar. Volodymyr Smelik is a graduate of the Junior Faculty Development Program, which he completed at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, USA.
This academic experience not only broadened his professional outlook but also enabled him to join the international academic community and to explore different approaches to legal scholarship, education, and practice.
Volodymyr Smelik’s scholarly work covers a wide range of issues in contemporary legal science. His research focuses on criminalistics, crime investigation methodology, technologies of criminal activity, economic and transnational crime, and combating human trafficking.
His academic works have been published in both Ukrainian and international journals. Among them are studies on the criminalistic analysis of the structure of criminal activity, an integrated approach to criminalistic methodology, problems of economic crime, and combating transnational crime.
A distinct area of Volodymyr Smelik’s current research interests concerns administrative law. From 2024 to 2026, he pursued post-doctoral studies at the Scientific Research Institute of Public Law in specialty 081 “Law,” researching the topic “Administrative and Legal Framework of Investment Activity in Ukraine in the Context of Europeanization.”
His professional biography also has a significant international dimension. Volodymyr Smelik has taken part in numerous scientific and practical conferences and seminars in Ukraine and abroad, including international events in Houston, Huntsville, and Las Vegas. He has also contributed as an expert to the development of materials on identifying and protecting victims of human trafficking in Europe.
Today, a new stage of Volodymyr Smelik’s professional career is connected with the Scientific Research Institute of Maritime and Space Law.
For the Institute, this is not only an addition to the team but also an opportunity to strengthen its research capacity, expand its interdisciplinary approach to legal research, and create new opportunities for carrying out scientific and international projects.
Modern legal science needs specialists who can see law not as a rigid system of norms but as a living instrument for responding to social, economic, and international change. It is precisely this combination of academic experience, scholarly consistency, and openness to new areas of research that is especially valuable for the Institute’s development.
The Scientific Research Institute of Maritime and Space Law welcomes Volodymyr Borysovych Smelik to its team and wishes him fruitful research, new professional achievements, bold research ideas, and successful implementation of joint initiatives.
After all, every new specialist brings a new perspective.
Every new study is a step toward the advancement of science.
And every strong team is the foundation for future results.
