New Law Professor Shares Impressions on Life at the HSE

Associate Professor Lorenzo Sasso, who began working at HSE’s Faculty of Law in September 2014, shared his impressions of life in Moscow and discussed his plans for the new academic year. Associate Professor Sasso holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and his research interests include corporate and financial law, as well as commercial law and financial regulation and supervision.

— You received your PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science a few years ago and your dissertation was called, 'Capital structure and Corporate Governance: the Role of Hybrid Financial Instruments.'  Knowledge of hybrid financial structure is crucial in Russia today. How are you going to share your expertise?

— You are right. Corporate finance and governance are two interrelated issues which lie at the core of studies to re-launch the Russian economy. Facilitating small enterprises’ access to finance, bridging different types of finance to a mixed variety of businesses, reducing conflicts of interest and potential opportunities for abuses in a company are indeed essential in building a solid economy supported by not only multinational enterprises but also small local businesses. I will certainly share my expertise by publishing articles and papers but also by participating in conferences and seminars. In this regard, it is my intention to be fully available for the faculty and the university as concerns joint projects and collaboration. 

What makes me very happy is the dedication of HSE's students and academics to developing a multidisciplinary and international system of education. They bring a beautiful fresh air of optimism and hope.

Lorenzo Sasso
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law

 

— How is the process of teaching international law in English going in Moscow? Could you please evaluate the readiness of students for this?

— I will deliver my course on International Trade Law in modules 3 and 4, so I will start it only in January 2015. However, having already met and talked to my students and having been around campus at the university I can say for sure that students are not only fully prepared for it, but they are also very willing to do it. Over the last several decades, Russian education has been on the move towards modernization in the entire system; the HSE has taken a step forward to achieve excellence in academia and the students seem to have completely embraced this mission. 

— What strikes you the most as an international expert teaching at a Russian university?  

What strikes me the most and makes me very happy is the dedication and willingness of HSE's students and academics to developing a multidisciplinary and international system of education. They are enthusiastic and ambitious and able to dream at very high levels. They bring a beautiful fresh air of optimism and hope.

— Why did you decide to move to Moscow? 

— From a professional point of view, and also considering recent geopolitical developments, I believe Russia provides for an extremely exciting and stimulating country to develop a career both academically and professionally. As you mentioned before, my research focuses on capital structure and corporate governance as well as commercial law and financial regulation, all very topical matters in Russia nowadays. And speaking from a personal point of view, I love and admire the Russian people and their art and culture. 

— What were some of your first impressions on your new living situation and work, and what are your plans for the 2014–2015 academic year?

— Pretty good so far. Apart for the Kafkaesque bureaucracies and the terrible traffic, Moscow is a vibrant and exotic city, and as I said, the people are very kind and friendly. My plans for this academic year are to investigate deeper into Russian corporate law and capital markets regulation and ‘publish or perish’... hopefully publish!

Anna Chernyakhoskaya,

Specially for the HSE news service