Research & Expertise

Computational methods for analysing ancient and modern genomes make it possible to study the formation of genetic diversity in populations, reconstruct their history of mixing and migration, and trace the development of environmental adaptations. The HSE International Laboratory of Statistical and Computational Genomics applies mathematical methods and genetic data to address a wide range of issues across fields such as anthropology, epidemiology, and criminology. The HSE News Service spoke with the laboratory head, Vladimir Shchur, about its work.

In early September 2025, the renewed Laboratory for Experimental Economics and Finance (LEEF) held its first workshop for early-career researchers. Its main distinguishing feature was that every presentation was based on the results of laboratory economic experiments. In particular, the speakers discussed what people consider a fair deal, how best to motivate employees, and how genes influence the willingness to cooperate and help others. All interested students and postgraduates were invited to collaborate with the laboratory.

How can BRICS countries move away from the dollar in international settlements, and what can they do to advance this goal today? These questions were discussed by experts during a round table at HSE University. The event was organised by the Multilateral Strategic Projects Office together with the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs as part of HSE’s activities within the BRICS Network University and the Joint Basic Research Projects ‘International Academic Cooperation of HSE University.’

Our perception of time depends on heart rate—this is the conclusion reached by neuroscientists at HSE University. In their experiment, volunteers watched short videos designed to evoke specific emotions and estimated each video's duration, while researchers recorded their heart activity using ECG. The study found that the slower a participant's heart rate, the shorter they perceived the video to be—especially when watching unpleasant content. The study has been published in Frontiers in Psychology.

In Schola’s latest instalment showcasing the winners of the International Academic Cooperation of HSE University competition, Aleksei Sorbale speaks about the project ‘Regional and Inter-Regional Associations in Norm-Building and Norm-Control in the Area of Environmental Regulation in Russia and India,’ carried out jointly with a research team from India’s University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES).

In September 2025, young people in Nepal took to the streets, armed not with party slogans but with online chats. Researchers at HSE analysed a million messages on a Discord server to understand the mechanics of youth protest. Experts discussed why the protesters identified themselves as Generation Z and what lessons can be drawn from this experience.

Economists from HSE University and the Southern Federal University have found that personality traits such as conscientiousness and open-mindedness help schoolchildren improve their academic performance. The study, conducted across seven countries, was the first large-scale international analysis of the impact of character traits on the academic achievement of 10 and 15-year-olds. The findings have been published in the International Journal of Educational Research.

World Deaf Day is traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday of September. This year, the HSE Faculty of Social Sciences joined the celebration and, together with the Moscow branch of the All-Russian Society of the Deaf (VOG Moscow), launched a study of the needs of hearing-impaired Moscow residents in terms of social services and accessible environments.

The HSE Centre for African Studies has marked its fifth anniversary. It was established to support Russian companies and government bodies in their engagement with countries across the continent and, over the years, has proved its effectiveness and uniqueness. A ceremonial event to mark the centre’s anniversary was held at HSE’s Cultural Centre.

Mathematicians at HSE University believe that there is no need to fear losing jobs because of the widespread use of AI, while at the same time they warn against uncritical acceptance of works and projects prepared with its help. AI, however, can be a useful tool in research, creating models and processing large volumes of information.