Campus news at HSE University

In June, an extraordinary Academic Council session, which attracted a broader range or HSE staff and students, discussed the key areas of the university’s development. The ideas expressed, as well as suggestions from faculties and campuses, will provide the basis for a new HSE development programme, which will be discussed at the university staff conference in autumn.

Isaac, a new robot at HSE, will automatically process publications by HSE staff and make the results of various competitive campaigns more predictable for each employee.

HSE University has maintained its leading position in the ranking compiled by the Russian Council for International Affairs. The ranking evaluated the websites of 65 Russian universities. HSE was awarded 104 points out of 108, increasing its position by 11 points on last year. HSE's closest rival ranked a further 17 points behind, which is a larger gap than previously.

The Iron Egg is awarded annually to the winners of a student vote for their contribution towards extracurricular life at the university. For the first time ever, this year’s awards ceremony took place in a new interactive format with students selecting not only the best student organisations, but also the best journalistic work by a university media source, as well as most active student.

Dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the HSE St. Petersburg campus, the recent International Partners Week welcomed 65 colleagues and friends from 43 institutions across Europe and Asia, reflecting the inspiring international ecosystem that HSE seeks to develop in St. Petersburg. Against the backdrop of wonderful St. Petersburg weather, the event incorporated thoughtful discussions on common issues and challenges in global higher education, best practices in managing internationalization, current trends and policies related to Russia’s higher education development, and cooperation agreements.

Some HSE staff members have received ‘Acknowledgement’ medals for their professional achievements and hard work.

In 2017, Sean Winkler joined the School of Philosophy as a research fellow. Originally from Chino Hills, California, he holds an undergraduate and Master’s degree in philosophy from Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, California), as well as a Master’s degree and PhD from KU Leuven (Leuven, Belgium), where his dissertation focused on the work of 17th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza. In his role as a postdoctoral research fellow for the School of Philosophy at HSE, Winkler specializes in the study of early modern philosophy. Besides early modern thought, his interests span from 20th-century French continental philosophy, to critical theory, to Daoism and to philosophy of science.

Igor Mikhailovich Bunin, historian, political scientist, President of the Centre for Political Technologies, Head of the Joint Department with Centre for Political Technologies at HSE Faculty of Social Sciences, and one of the pioneers of Russian political technologies, passed away on Saturday, May 12. He was 72.