‘A Cat That Jumps from the Floor to a Shelf Doesn't Know Newton's Laws’
Anastasia Malashina defended her thesis on a topic related to cryptographic methods of information protection and is now engaged in applied projects in strategic analytics. In an interview with the Young Scientists of HSE University project, she discussed the difficulties she faced during her studies and explained what cryptography is and why large language models will not replace human intelligence.
‘The Goal of Modern Geography Is To Digitise Expert Knowledge and Integrate It with Big Data’
The importance of geographical science is increasing, as is the demand for education in this field. Since 2020, application numbers for Bachelor’s programmes at HSE University’s Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology have climbed by 30%, while interest in Master’s programmes has also expanded, with applications up 10–15%. Nikolay Kurichev, Dean of the Faculty, spoke about this at a press conference hosted by MIA Rossiya Segodnya.
'It Is Essential to Rely on Facts and to Be Consistent and Honest'
Ksenia Rozhkova studies the labour market, learns foreign languages to gain a deeper understanding of the world, and has a passion for theatre. In this interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, she discusses non-cognitive characteristics, the role theatre plays in her life, and common myths about pursuing a master's degree.
‘Our Result Was Recognised Not Only Within the Project Defence but Also on International Scale’
This year, the European AI Conference (ECAI 2025) accepted an article titled ‘Multi-Agent Path Finding for Large Agents is Intractable’ by Artem Agafonov, a second-year student of the Applied Mathematics and Information Science Bachelor’s programme at HSE University’s Faculty of Computer Science. The work was co-authored by Konstantin Yakovlev, Head of the Joint Department with Intelligent Technologies of System Analysis and Management at the Federal Research Centre ‘Informatics and Management’ of the RAS and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Applied Sciences. In the interview, Artem Agafonov explained how he came up with the idea for the article and how he was able to present it at an A-level conference.
HSE Scientists Test New Method to Investigate Mechanisms of New Word Acquisition
Researchers at the HSE Centre for Language and Brain were among the first to use transcranial alternating current stimulation to investigate whether it can influence the acquisition of new words. Although the authors of the experiment have not yet found a link between brain stimulation and word acquisition, they believe that adjusting the stimulation parameters may yield different results in the future. The study has been published in Language, Cognition and Neuroscience.
Twenty vs Ten: HSE Researcher Examines Origins of Numeral System in Lezgic Languages
It is commonly believed that the Lezgic languages spoken in Dagestan and Azerbaijan originally used a vigesimal numeral system, with the decimal system emerging later. However, a recent analysis of numerals in various dialects, conducted by linguist Maksim Melenchenko from HSE University, suggests that the opposite may be true: the decimal system was used originally, with the vigesimal system developing later. The study has been published in Folia Linguistica.
How to Build a Business in the New Reality of the Chinese Market
At the international SPROUTS Business Forum in Kazan, Prof. Natalya Guseva of HSE University, Head of the ‘Eastern Perspective: Doing Business in China in Practice’ educational programme for entrepreneurs and managers, delivered a keynote address entitled ‘Competing with China: Why Old Skills Are No Longer Enough’ during a Russian–Chinese business session. Her talk attracted a large audience of business representatives, exporters, and government officials.
HSE University Becomes Absolute Leader in AI Alliance Ranking of Universities
TheAI Alliance Russia has announced a new ranking of Russian universities based on the quality of education in the field of AI. A total of 203 universities from 68 Russian regions participated in the ranking. HSE University was the first to join the highest A++ group.
'Today, Human Existence Without Mathematics Is Difficult; Tomorrow, It Will Be Simply Impossible'
Mathematicians around the world share a common language and continue to collaborate despite the challenges of recent years. The hub of mathematical networking has been shifting to China, where scientists from various countries meet at conferences and other academic events. Partnerships with leading Chinese universities offer promising opportunities to strengthen existing ties and forge new ones. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Valery Gritsenko, Head of the HSE International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms, discusses this and other topics, including what AI is and why the state should engage with mathematicians.
Scientists Rank Russian Regions by Climate Risk Levels
Researchers from HSE University and the Russian Academy of Sciences have assessed the levels of climate risks across Russian regions. Using five key climate risks—heatwaves, water stress, wildfires, extreme precipitation, and permafrost degradation—the scientists ranked the country’s regions according to their need for adaptation to climate change. Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk Region, and Sverdlovsk Region rank among the highest for four of the five climate risks considered. The study has been published in Science of the Total Environment.