
'We Are Now Nearing Practical Application of a Stimulus-Free Brain-Mapping System'
Neural interfaces developed by scientists at HSE University in collaboration with clinicians make it possible to communicate with the brain and decode its signals. The use of such interfaces opens up opportunities to stimulate brain activity, restore and normalise muscle control in patients who have suffered a stroke, heart attack, or other neurological disorders, and support the rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain injuries or limb loss. Alexey Ossadtchi, Director of the Centre for Bioelectric Interfaces at the HSE Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, discusses the centre and its work.

Lyceum Student Wins Bronze at International Cybersecurity Olympiad
In June 2025, the finals of the International Cybersecurity Olympiad (ICO) took place in Singapore. The Russian national team competed alongside 128 talented school students from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and others. The Russian team secured silver and took second place in the overall team ranking. This result was made possible thanks to the individual achievements of the team members, including Mikhail Selin, an 11th-grade student at the HSE Lyceum, who won a bronze medal.

'No Rush and No Skyscrapers': HSE University–St Petersburg Master's Student on Her Studies in Oman
Vlada Bondarenko is a first-year student of the Master's programme 'Cross-Cultural Studies of Asia and Africa in the Context of International Relations' of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at HSE University–St Petersburg. This year, she spent the spring semester at the University of Nizwa in Oman. Read on to find out how the HSE University–St Petersburg academic mobility programme helped the student immerse herself in Middle Eastern culture and why studying in the country is unique.

HSE University’s Pavilion at VK Fest: Sending Messages to Space and Exploring Virtual Worlds
On July 19 and 20, 2025, Russia’s largest youth festival, VK Fest, took place at the Luzhniki stadium. HSE University presented its advanced developments, including a prototype for the CubeSX-HSE satellite and hi-tech games powered by AI. Everyone could participate in the ‘Human or AI’ quiz or attend workshops on spacecraft assembly and game design basics.

From India to Moscow: A Story of Growth, Discovery, and Global Friendship
Shalu Tomar, from Delhi, India, is a student of the Master’s in Population and Development. In her interview with the HSE News Service, Shalu talks about her decision to choose HSE University, her academic experience, and the importance of study–life balance.

HSE University Presents Smart Orthosis at Hope for Technology Forum
On July 10–11, 2025, Moscow hosted the 10th Hope for Technology National Forum of the Rehabilitation Industry and Universal Design. The event was aimed at discussing innovative achievements in the rehabilitation industry. The MIEM Student Design Bureau and the HSE Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience presented a smart orthosis, which was developed at the request of orthopedists.

HSE Researchers Teach Neural Network to Distinguish Origins from Genetically Similar Populations
Researchers from the AI and Digital Science Institute, HSE Faculty of Computer Science, have proposed a new approach based on advanced machine learning techniques to determine a person’s genetic origin with high accuracy. This method uses graph neural networks, which make it possible to distinguish even very closely related populations.

HSE Economists Reveal the Secret to Strong Families
Researchers from the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences have examined the key factors behind lasting marriages. The findings show that having children is the primary factor contributing to marital stability, while for couples without children, a greater income gap between spouses is associated with a stronger union. This is the conclusion reported in Applied Econometrics.

Experts Assess How BRICS Countries’ Education Systems Are Evolving
The BRICS Expert Council–Russia, based at HSE University and operating in collaboration with the HSE Institute of Education, has released an analytical report titled ‘The Transformation of General Education in BRICS Countries.’ The study explores how BRICS nations are addressing shared challenges, including equitable access to schooling, digital integration, support for inclusion, linguistic diversity, and intercultural dialogue.

Fifteen Minutes on Foot: How Post-Soviet Cities Manage Access to Essential Services
Researchers from HSE University and the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences analysed three major Russian cities to assess their alignment with the '15-minute city' concept—an urban design that ensures residents can easily access essential services and facilities within walking distance. Naberezhnye Chelny, where most residents live in Soviet-era microdistricts, demonstrated the highest levels of accessibility. In Krasnodar, fewer than half of residents can easily reach essential facilities on foot, and in Saratov, just over a third can. The article has been published in Regional Research of Russia.
Application deadline: June 23, 2025