‘Rediscovering Russia’ Student Research Expedition Now Open for Applications
A new expedition season has begun as part of the Rediscovering Russia project. Students from all degree programmes, disciplines, and campuses of HSE University are eligible to take part. As a result, each participant may not only earn additional academic credits, but also gain valuable practical experience, develop useful skills, and contribute to the development of Russia’s regions.
Since 2017, the Rediscovering Russia programme has become an integral part of the educational process at HSE University. Through these expeditions, students have the opportunity to work on real-world challenges in the fields of culture, society, education, ecology, technology, and urban studies.
Dmitry Zemtsov
According to Dmitry Zemtsov, Vice Rector of HSE University, the programme is a unique opportunity for students to demonstrate their professional skills and apply the knowledge acquired at university to bring about positive change in regional communities. ‘Over the years, numerous young professionals have made a significant contribution to the development of our country by actively applying their expertise in the field,’ said the vice rector.
Each project within the programme involves a wide range of research tasks and roles that require not only specialised knowledge but also creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills. Students from education-related programmes contribute to the development of educational materials, while mathematics students select methods for quantitative data analysis to assess research outcomes. Future IT professionals assist in developing digital tools, and students of the humanities and social sciences carry out anthropological studies, explore folklore, politics, and more.
Expedition mentors emphasise that interdisciplinary teams often lead to exciting discoveries. Collaborative work enables students to explore new fields and plays a key role in helping young professionals define their career paths and broaden their professional competencies.
Applications for the new student expeditions are being accepted via the Smart Pro platform and are open to students from all faculties and campuses of the university. Mentors set specific candidate requirements and conduct the selection process through assignments, essays, and portfolio reviews. It is worth noting that students may earn additional academic credits by participating in the programme, provided their research activity within Rediscovering Russia is approved by their academic supervisor.
Participants of previous expeditions also shared their impressions of the programme with the HSE News Service.
Olga Sidorova, Bachelor’s Programme ‘Sociology,’ HSE Faculty of Social Sciences
— One of the most memorable projects for me was Art Pier at the Book Harbour library in Severodvinsk. There, we managed to create an interactive art space and hold more than 50 events—including creative exhibitions by young artists, theatrical tours, and sound-enhanced installations. The cherry on top was a live performance: a real-time clothing customisation event in which even the head librarian took part!
Initiatives like this give hope that, in the future, more and more libraries will become hubs for young creative talent.
Arina Rakita, Bachelor’s Programme ‘Advertising and Public Relations’, HSE Faculty of Creative Industries
— In the summer of 2023, I took part in a research expedition called ‘The Tourism Potential of Arzamas within the Arzamas—Diveyevo—Sarov Cluster.’ The expedition coincided perfectly with the completion of restoration work connected to the launch of a new pilgrimage and tourism cluster. The city, which boasts over a hundred historical, cultural, and architectural landmarks, revealed itself to us in all its splendour. Our research focused on exploring the potential of local cultural institutions—such as museums, exhibition halls, craft centres, and libraries.
The insights we gathered formed the basis for developing proposals to help promote these local cultural venues.
My special project, ‘All Roads Lead to Arzamas,’ is a landing page featuring stories of famous friends of Maxim Gorky who visited the city during his time in exile. This format aims to spark interest in visiting the museum and attract new target audiences. The Arzamas Department of Trade and Tourism approved my idea.
The experience I gained during the expedition helped me get selected for a research and academic group studying sociocultural communication. I am now continuing to explore the cultural heritage of our vast country.
Ivan Zernov, Master’s Programme ‘Classical and Oriental Archaeology,’ HSE Faculty of Humanities
— I have taken part three times in the archaeological expedition ‘In the Footsteps of the Builders of Ancient Sarkel,’ which focused on rescue excavations at the Right-Bank Tsimlyansk settlement.
The Right-Bank Tsimlyansk settlement is a Khazar fortress dating back to the 8th–9th centuries. In the 20th century, the creation of the Tsimlyansk Reservoir left the hill on which the fortress stood at the edge of a cliff, and due to erosion, it has been slowly sliding into the water. One section of the site is now under direct threat of disappearing. The aim of the rescue excavations is to stay ahead of nature, investigating the areas most at risk of imminent destruction. For three years, a team of HSE students worked on the section of the fortress wall. They uncovered and documented the remains of fortification structures, including fragments of large limestone slabs. In one area, the excavation revealed part of the interior of the fortress. There, a platform made of flat clay tiles was discovered, the purpose of which is still under discussion.
After these expeditions, several students decided to pursue a future in archaeology. They are now writing academic papers on historical topics and working in organisations related to archaeology.
See also:
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