‘The Goal of Modern Geography Is To Digitise Expert Knowledge and Integrate It with Big Data’
The importance of geographical science is increasing, as is the demand for education in this field. Since 2020, application numbers for Bachelor’s programmes at HSE University’s Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology have climbed by 30%, while interest in Master’s programmes has also expanded, with applications up 10–15%. Nikolay Kurichev, Dean of the Faculty, spoke about this at a press conference hosted by MIA Rossiya Segodnya.
On August 15, 2025, a press conference on ‘The Geography of the New Generation: Strategic Prospects’ was held at the MIA Rossiya Segodnya press centre. The event was timed to coincide with Geographers’ Day, a professional holiday celebrated in Russia on August 18.
The event was attended by Nikolay Kasimov, First Vice-President of the Russian Geographical Society, President of the Geography Faculty at Lomonosov Moscow State University, and academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Olga Solomina, Director of the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Joint Department at the Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology of HSE University and corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Nikolay Kurichev, Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology at HSE University. The participants discussed how modern geography is being transformed, and what challenges and opportunities the industry is facing in the context of digitalisation, the development of artificial intelligence, and climate change.
Nikolay Kasimov welcomed the audience and congratulated his colleagues on Geographers’ Day. He emphasised the significance of this holiday for the global community and discussed the environmental challenges of geography, particularly urban pollution.
President of the Geography Faculty at Lomonosov Moscow State University
‘The most important thing to solve environmental problems is measurement, more measurement, and even more measurement. We need to delve deeper into the microcosm to accurately identify pollutants and their range.’
He also referred to statistics from studies on road dust in Moscow, which is one of the major sources of pollution, especially in spring.
Olga Solomina discussed modern research tools such as remote sensing, mathematical modelling, and big data analysis.
Academic Supervisor of the Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology
‘Today, cartography has evolved beyond simply being a map on paper. Now it includes the use of streaming data, three-dimensional images, as well as highly detailed and accurate measurements of objects in motion and space. These new technologies distinguish modern geography from the past. Nowadays, we have access to new tools like space imagery, drones, thermal imagers, and multispectral imaging to aid in studying our natural and social environments.’
Olga Solomina noted that climate change is one of the main challenges for modern geographers. She paid special attention to the study of glaciers, which are rapidly shrinking, as well as the effects of melting permafrost on the landscape transformation.
Nikolay Kurichev, in his speech, emphasised the practical significance of geographical science and its role in addressing pressing issues. Dean of HSE University’s Faculty of Geography discussed topics such as assessing natural and climate risks, selecting effective adaptation measures, developing digital solutions for environmental and climate projects, and managing territories using big data. All of these areas of research are conducted at HSE University’s Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology.
Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology
‘There has been a revolution in the field of remote sensing worldwide. Using remote sensing technologies, we can create tools for automatic data analysis and geoanalytics, allowing us to make informed decisions. However, such decisions cannot be based solely on technical grounds—profound expertise is essential. The goal of modern geography is to translate this expert knowledge into a digital format and integrate it with big data through AI-powered geographic tools. Such solutions are essential for businesses, governments, and society as a whole.’
Nikolay Kurichev shared the success of HSE University’s Faculty of Geography in its 2025 admission campaign. Interest in the discipline grew significantly, with applications to the Bachelor’s programme rising by 30% and the passing score jumping by 20 points compared to previous years. As for the Master’s programme, the number of applications for the ‘Low Carbon Development’ and ‘Spatial Data and Applied Geoanalytics’ programmes also experienced growth, with application numbers up by 10–15%.
See also:
HSE Researchers Determine Frequency of Genetic Mutations in People with Pulmonary Hypertension
For the first time in Russia, a team of scientists and clinicians has conducted a large-scale genetic study of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The team, which included researchers from the International Laboratory of Bioinformatics at the HSE Faculty of Computer Science, analysed the genomes of over a hundred patients and found that approximately one in ten carried pathogenic mutations in the BMPR2 gene, which is responsible for vascular growth. Three of these mutations were described for the first time. The study has been published in Respiratory Research.
HSE Scientists Reveal How Disrupted Brain Connectivity Affects Cognitive and Social Behaviour in Children with Autism
An international team of scientists, including researchers from the HSE Centre for Language and Brain, has for the first time studied the connectivity between the brain's sensorimotor and cognitive control networks in children with autism. Using fMRI data, the researchers found that connections within the cognitive control network (responsible for attention and inhibitory control) are weakened, while connections between this network and the sensorimotor network (responsible for movement and sensory processing) are, by contrast, excessively strong. These features manifest as difficulties in social interaction and behavioural regulation in children. The study has been published in Brain Imaging and Behavior.
‘The Future Is Not Predetermined—We Shape It with the Decisions We Make Today’
The strategic technological project ‘National Centre of Science, Technology, and Socio-Economic Foresight’ at HSE University spans horizons of 10 to 30 years and involves developing new methodologies of scenario analysis. It brings together researchers from different fields and helps to form a holistic vision of the future. The aim of the project is not only to produce forecasts but also to generate practical recommendations for government and business. Anastasia Likhacheva, Dean of the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, explains why it is important to learn to ask the right questions about the future.
Scientists Discover How Correlated Disorder Boosts Superconductivity
Superconductivity is a unique state of matter in which electric current flows without any energy loss. In materials with defects, it typically emerges at very low temperatures and develops in several stages. An international team of scientists, including physicists from HSE MIEM, has demonstrated that when defects within a material are arranged in a specific pattern rather than randomly, superconductivity can occur at a higher temperature and extend throughout the entire material. This discovery could help develop superconductors that operate without the need for extreme cooling. The study has been published in Physical Review B.
HSE University–St Petersburg Holds Summer Intensive Course on Finance for Students from Five Countries
The International Summer School at HSE University–St Petersburg included the intensive course 'New Economic Drivers for Company.' International students explored the realm of applied finance through case studies of Russian companies.
Updated Facts and Figures and Dashboards Now Available on HSE Website
The HSE Office of Analytics and Data Management, together with the Visual Communications Unit, has developed a new Facts and Figures about HSE University page on the HSE website. In addition, all university staff now have access to a dashboard with the updated indicators of the Priority 2030 programme.
Immune System Error: How Antibodies in Multiple Sclerosis Mistake Their Targets
Researchers at HSE University and the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCh RAS) have studied how the immune system functions in multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease in which the body's own antibodies attack its nerve fibres. By comparing blood samples from MS patients and healthy individuals, scientists have discovered that the immune system in MS patients can mistake viral proteins for those of nerve cells. Several key proteins have also been identified that could serve as new biomarkers for the disease and aid in its diagnosis. The study has been published in Frontiers in Immunology. The research was conducted with support from the Russian Science Foundation.
HSE to Entrust Routine CPD Programme Development to AI
HSE University, together with the EdTech company CDO Global, is launching AI-based constructors to streamline the design of continuing professional development (CPD) courses. The new service will automate the preparation of teaching materials and assessment tools, significantly reducing the time and resources required of lecturers and instructional designers.
‘Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030’ Forum-Festival to Feature Innovative Projects from HSE Graduates
Until September 14, 2025, the Russian capital is hosting a large-scale forum-festival called ‘Territory of the Future: Moscow 2030’ —a space for technology, science, and innovation. This event showcases cutting-edge developments in medicine, astronautics, and the digital economy. HSE Art and Design School is participating in the festival with two graduate projects in Product and Industrial Design.
HSE Shares Its Experience of Urban Strategies at International Summer School in China
In the context of intensifying global geopolitical and technological competition, leading Chinese educational institutions—Zhejiang International Studies University and Peking University—organised an International Summer School. Their joint programme focused on studying global, regional, and urban development strategies. The HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development took part in this event.