Faculty and Staff Profile

Lyudmyla Tsykalova

Educational Background

2021 Clemson University Ph.D. International Family and Community Studies

2003 The Law and Economics University KROK, Kyiv, Ukraine M.A. International Economics
2010 University of Palermo M.A. International Cooperation for Development 2013 University of Palermo M.A. Cultural Events, Heritage and Territory

2002 The Law and Economics University KROK, Kyiv, Ukraine B.A. International Economics

Courses Taught

Fall 2024 SOC3020 Social Research Methods I, 30 students.
Spring 2024 SOC4860, Section 002 Exploring Society: A Creative Approach to Social Science Inquiry, 8 students (developed and taught the class)
2016-2018 HEHD499 Pathways to Community Service, 10 students, 50% co-instructor with Dr. Susan Limber
2016-2018 ITAL 1010 Elementary Italian
2016-2018 ITAL 1011 Elementary Italian Lab
Fall 2017 ITAL 1020 Elementary Italian
Fall 2017 ITAL 1021 Elementary Italian Lab

Profile

Dr. Lyudmyla Tsykalova holds the dual role of Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Project Manager at the Center for Criminal Justice and Social Research. She is a passionate scholar committed to enhancing human well-being and driving community development. Her expertise is at the intersection of project management and research, primarily focusing on addressing societal issues such as the well-being of vulnerable populations, food security, youth environmental engagement, attitudes towards substance use, and interpersonal violence. Dr. Tsykalova is Ukrainian, speaks four languages, holds a doctoral degree in International Family and Community Studies from Clemson University, and has three masters in the fields related to international economics and development. She has years of experience cultivating partnerships and management (from research, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation) of local projects and international strategic initiatives with universities, NGOs, and intergovernmental organizations in the Middle East, Europe, Russia, and the US. Rooted in her commitment to empowering communities, her expertise bridges research and leadership, making her an invaluable asset to initiatives driving transformative progress.

Research Interests

My research focuses on the intersection of community development, social justice, and environmental sustainability from an international perspective. I explore how structural inequalities and environmental challenges affect youth and vulnerable populations across diverse cultural and geographic contexts. I am particularly interested in community-led and participatory approaches that promote sustainable, equitable change globally. My work integrates social development, environmental justice, intercultural communication, and policymaking to advance inclusive, resilient communities through interdisciplinary research bridging social sciences, public policy, and environmental studies.

Research Publications

Tsykalova, L. (2025). Shaping Tomorrow: Global Patterns in Youth Environmental Engagement. The Journal of Environmental Education. DOI: 10.1080/00958964.2025.2498896
Tsykalova, L. (2025). Linking Climate Change, Culture, and Youth Environmental Engagement: A Cross-Cultural Analysis. The International Journal of Social Sustainability in Economic, Social, and Cultural Context (in press)
Tsykalova, L., Sianko, N., & Nishan, N. (2025). Experience of Family Violence and Dating Violence among Rural Teens: Subjective Well-Being as a Protective Factor. Journal of Family Trauma, Child Custody & Child Development. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26904586.2025.2533746.
Hicks, N. R., Sharaievska, I., Tsykalova, L., Townsend, J., & Miller, B. L. (2025). Veteran Perspectives on Family-Serving Recreation and Leisure Programs. Journal of Veterans Studies, 11(1), pp. 80–94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v11i1.675
Tsykalova, L. (2014). Culture in International Relations: Human Security and Sovereignty Building in the Palestinian Territories. Political Science Almanac, (16). https://doi.org/10.7220/2335-7185.16.2

Agency Reports:
Machlis, G. & Tsykalova, L., (2024). Scientists in Exile Global Assessment: Symposium Summary Report to NASEM https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/scientists-and-engineers-in-exile-or-displaced-seed-program

Honors and Awards

2024 STEM Teaching PostDoc Fellowship
2021 Clemson University Doctoral Dissertation Completion Grant
2016 International Peace Scholarship from PEO
2015 International Peace Scholarship from PEO