Research & Expertise

The Sino-Russian Association of Fundamental Sciences has officially begun its work in China. It brings together research centres in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, and Earth sciences, with participation from HSE University scholars. During the launch conference, the Sino-Russian Mathematics Series project was also presented; it envisages the publication of 100 textbooks and monographs over the next ten years. HSE University representatives Ivan Arzhantsev and Sergei Lando have joined the project’s editorial board.

Valeria Vinogradova, a researcher at HSE University, together with British colleagues, studied how language proficiency affects cognitive processing in deaf adults. The study showed that higher language proficiency—regardless of whether the language is signed or spoken—is associated with higher activity and stronger functional connectivity within the brain network responsible for cognitive task performance. The findings have been published in Cerebral Cortex.

In late January 2026, HSE University hosted a discussion titled ‘Development and Urban Planning: Which Specialists Is the Market Waiting For?’ The event marked the launch of a new Bachelor’s programme in Development and Urban Planning created by the HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development in partnership with a consortium of developers, whose key members include MR and A101 Group.

On February 4–5, 2026, the HSE BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre (BRICS Competition Centre), together with the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA), held a meeting of the BRICS Working Group for the Research of Competition Issues in Food Markets in Cairo. The antimonopoly authorities agreed to launch a joint analysis of the grain sector to be conducted with the support of the BRICS Competition Centre and based on the centre’s research report. On the sidelines of the event, a cooperation agreement was also signed between the St Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX) and the Egyptian Mercantile Exchange.

Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge has analyzed the key statements of Brazil’s plan for artificial intelligence (AI) development approved by government, which envisages intensifying of research and training highly qualified personnel as well as AI technology implementation expanding in main industries.

An international team including researchers from HSE MIEM has developed a catalyst that enables fast and low-cost hydrogen production from water. To achieve this, the scientists synthesised nanoparticles of a complex oxide containing six metals and anchored them onto various substrates. The catalyst supported on reduced graphene layers proved to be nearly three times more efficient than the same oxide without a substrate. This development could significantly reduce the cost of hydrogen production and accelerate the transition to green energy. The study has been published in ACS Applied Energy Materials. The work was carried out under a grant from the Russian Science Foundation.

HSE University has hosted the final defences of student projects submitted to the Scientific Initiative Competition organised by the Centre for Student Academic Development. Over the course of the year, participants worked on research projects spanning all stages of the research process, from defining a scientific problem to analysing results, and public defence marked the final stage of the competition.

UNCTAD report acknowledged contribution of the International Research and Educational Foresight Center of HSE University Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) to development of Technology Foresight (TF) and Technology Assessment (TA) methods for policy-making in long-term planning and anticipatory governance, including into Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement.

Russian enterprises rank among the world’s top ten leaders in AI adoption. In 2023, nearly one-third of domestic companies reported using artificial intelligence. According to a new study by Larisa Smirnykh, Professor at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences, the impact of digitalisation on employment is uneven: while the introduction of AI in small and large enterprises led to a reduction in the number of employees, in medium-sized companies, on the contrary, it contributed to job growth. The article has been published in Voprosy Ekonomiki.

XV International Academic Conference ‘Foresight and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy’organized by HSE University Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge took place on 12-14 November 2025.  This year programme included nine thematic sessions and special workshop for BRICS countries. The conference traditionally became a platform for discussing the future of technology, transformation of labor markets, creative economy, role of artificial intelligence, and sustainable development, bringing together experts around the world from: Russia, China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia, Australia, the UK, Malaysia and other countries.