News

Is “pre-training” the unsung hero of effective learning—or just an unnecessary hurdle for already smart students? That’s the research quest Anna Gorbunova, Anastasiia Kapuza, Ouhao Chen, and Jamie Costley embark on in their recent study, Rethinking Pre-training: Cognitive Load Implications for Learners with Varying Prior Knowledge. Published in Frontiers in Psychology, their work dives into how priming your mind before tackling complex material can transform the learning experience, challenging long-held beliefs about how we actually absorb knowledge.

In January, HSE University hosted the third GameDevFest of the Faculty of Computer Science—a computer game festival organised by the School of Software Engineering and the project group ‘Computer Game Software Engineering—PIKI’ with the participation of the Vintorog game studio. Guests had the opportunity to play a variety of video games, including demo versions created by FCS students and other aspiring game designers.

On February 11, 2026, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin presented the Moscow Government Prizes for Young Scientists for 2025. Among the 77 laureates was Evgeny Knyazev, Associate Professor of the Basic Department of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS at HSE University's Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, and Head of the Molecular Physiology Laboratory. Evgeny Knyazev was awarded for a cycle of research on the role of microRNA in the mechanisms of development and diagnostics of oncological, viral and inflammatory diseases, and preeclampsia.

Eating habits can be shaped not only by the authority of medical experts but also through ordinary conversations among friends. Researchers at HSE University have shown that advice from peers to reduce sugar consumption is just as effective as advice from experts. The study's findings have been published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

February 10, 2026, Moscow hosted the XV Middle East Conference "Continuity and Innovation: The Middle East against the Backdrop of a Shattered World Order," organized by the Valdai International Discussion Club in collaboration with the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

On February 7, 2026, International Scientific and Practical Conference “Journalism in 2025: Creativity, Profession, Industry” was held

On February 5, 2026, the IX International Scientific and Practical Conference "Bachilov Readings" was held

HSE University Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge analyzed trends in ocean technologies using Intelligent FOResight Analytics system iFORA.

January 23, 2026 The HSE University International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration (the Laboratory) and Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) presented the results of a comparative study of human-centered barriers to the introduction of AI in public administration in Russia and China.

Michael Appiah, from Ghana, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the International Laboratory of Intangible-Driven Economy (IDLab) at HSE University–Perm. He recently spoke at the seminar ‘Artificial Intelligence, Digitalization, and Climate Vulnerability: Evidence from Heterogeneous Panel Models’ about his research on ‘the interplay between artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and climate vulnerability.’ Michael told the HSE News Service about the academic journey that led him to HSE University, his early impressions of Perm, and how AI can be utilised to combat climate change.