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There Will Be April
Dimitri Karastelev / Unsplash
There is probably no one at HSE University who has not been affected by the recently implemented measures. The cancellations of trips, classes, visits by international professors, workshops and conferences have not been easy decisions for the University to make and implement. There is also uncertainty regarding the status of HSE summer schools. But, probably, the most difficult announcement to say aloud was the following: ‘The 2020 April Conference will not take place in its planned format.’
It is difficult, because for HSE University, this is the most important academic event of the year. It brings together our friends, colleagues and people who share our passion for research and scientific inquiry. It is an event that is anticipated by hundreds of people in Russia and around the world, because for half a year, the Programme Committee, reviewers, and session chairs have been doing their unseen but important work of selecting the best papers and compiling a wonderful programme for the main conference and its associated events. People across different cities and countries have been preparing their presentations and looking forward to meeting with their colleagues, friends, and scholars who inspire them. And now we have to say that ‘the conference, scheduled for April 6-10, will not be taking place.’
But this doesn’t mean that these efforts have been in vain. The conference Programme Committee, together with the session chairs, is discussing the possibility of carrying out some of the planned events over the next few months, including with the use of online formats. It is discussing ways to publish the conference papers as well as the possibility of organizing a working platform that, though not on-site, will serve as an effective venue for academic discussions.
Many of us have used these days to try out new forms of communication with colleagues and students, and found ways to collaborate with co-authors long-distance. We will be happy to share these practices in Okna Rosta. Please send your ideas and tricks via email to okna@hse.ru.
Stay healthy!
HSE Vice Rector