'The Teams Engaged in The New Projects Have Every Opportunity to Achieve Exceptional Scientific Outcomes'

© HSE University

HSE University has announced the results of the first Competition of Joint Basic Research Projects 'International Academic Cooperation' held from December 11, 2023, to April 8, 2024. Highly successful research teams at HSE University, having extensive experience in collaborating with international partners, took part in the competition. A total of 25 applications were submitted from departments across HSE University's campuses.

The joint projects involve partners from 24 universities and research centres spanning 12 countries, including Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Tanzania, the UAE, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. The largest number of applications were submitted in partnership with academic teams from universities in China.

The joint projects submitted for the competition covered research in 11 areas: computer science, mathematics, education, physics, psychology, economics, political science, social and economic geography, basic medicine, and electronics, as well as applications for interdisciplinary research.

Alexander Balyshev

Vice Rector, HSE University

‘The winning initiatives, once implemented, will contribute to the development of international scientific partnerships, broaden and mutually enrich their research agendas, and engage students and doctoral students in collaborative efforts to foster early-career researchers’ academic culture and scientific ethos. The international teams engaged in the new projects have every opportunity to achieve exceptional scientific outcomes.'

The competition committee has supported seven research projects to be implemented within the framework of existing agreements between HSE University and its international partners. Details of the projects are outlined below:

GEOMETRY AND PHYSICS

 

The International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms at HSE University has been engaged in joint research projects with the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications. It is the youngest and largest mathematical institute in China, established and operating with support from Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Shing-Tung Yau, a world-renowned mathematician and Fields Medal recipient, serves as the President of the Institute. The new project, titled 'Geometry and Physics,' centres on the exploration of mirror symmetry in string theory, with a primary focus on Calabi–Yau manifolds. Mirror symmetry, a discovery made by theoretical physicists relatively recently in the 1990s, has prompted mathematicians worldwide to engage in designing a framework for accurately describing this phenomenon.

The International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms stands as one of the leading research centres dedicated to the exploration of mirror symmetry. During the seven years of its existence, the laboratory has nurtured and trained talented young mathematicians who have eventually earned the Candidate of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics degrees. One of them has since co-authored a publication with a Fields Medal recipient in the oldest mathematical journal in Europe. In 2023, Moscow hosted the first joint conference 'Geometry and Physics' featuring 16 reports, of which two were presented by Fields Medal recipients.

Efforts are currently underway to strengthen collaboration between Russian and international researchers in this area that could potentially lead to exceptional scientific results.

FLEXIBILITY AND COMPUTATIONAL METHODS

 

The HSE Laboratory of Algebraic Transformation Groups, in collaboration with the Institute of Mathematics in Hanoi, Vietnam, submitted the project 'Flexibility and Computational Methods.' Dedicated to classical problems in algebraic geometry and associated objects of commutative algebra, the project aims to examine the properties of algebraic affine manifolds and their symmetries, with a particular emphasis on manifolds possessing the property of flexibility, which is determined by several conditions, the most notable being infinite transitivity in the actions of the automorphism group.

In addition to publications in highly esteemed mathematical journals, the research group intends to convene annual events, including in-person conferences in Moscow and Hanoi, as well as seminars open to anyone interested in this topic.

PLURALISTIC PERSPECTIVES ON LOGIC AND FORMAL PHILOSOPHY

 

The HSE International Laboratory for Logic, Linguistics and Formal Philosophy, in collaboration with the Centre for Logic, Epistemology and the History of Science (CLE) at the University of Campinas, Brazil, submitted the project 'Pluralistic Perspectives on Logic and Formal Philosophy.' This collaboration was made possible through regular conferences and seminars, as well as publications resulting from joint scientific events hosted in both Russia and Brazil. The project is dedicated to pluralistic perspectives on logic and formal philosophy; this formulation of the problem arises from the fundamental diversity of logical systems in modern science. The key areas targeted for results include translations between various logics and their combinations, the interplay among methodological, algorithmic, and computational properties of diverse logics, a multi-agent approach to logical pluralism, and different levels of the logical, among others. The researchers plan to consider the application of the acquired results in the field of artificial intelligence.

Among the anticipated outcomes are publications in esteemed academic journals, conferences in Moscow and Campinas, and numerous other activities.

QUALITATIVE THEORY OF SYSTEMS OF ORDINARY AND PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

 

The International Laboratory of Dynamical Systems and Applications at HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod, jointly with the School of Mathematical Sciences at Tongji University, China, submitted the project 'Qualitative Theory of Systems of Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations.' The team members focus on mappings with a fractal dimension exceeding the topological dimension (an algorithm for constructing such mappings will be developed as part of the project). Other objectives include constructing a topological classification of three-dimensional undirectable manifolds; investigating hyperbolic chaotic attractors for systems in dimensions 2 and 3; analysing periodic orbits of diffeomorphisms of surfaces with a single fixed orbit (applying topological methods to the dynamical systems theory to study the relationship between topology and dynamics); and exploring shallow water theory and the Korteweg–de Vries equation (this equation applies to plasmas, dispersive media, and nonlinear media).

One of the team's special characteristics is the existing groundwork on the chosen topic and extensive involvement of early-career researchers in the team's work—a tradition characteristic of the Nizhny Novgorod mathematical school in general.

INTEGRATED PLATFORM SOLUTIONS AS A TOOL FOR PRESERVATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE (BASED ON THE CASES OF SAMARKAND AND ST. PETERSBURG)

The Laboratory for Management in Culture and Tourism at HSE Campus in St. Petersburg, in collaboration with the Institute of Human Resources and Neighbourhood Development Management at Samarkand State University, Uzbekistan, proposed a new research project titled 'Integrated Platform Solutions as a Tool for Preservation and Advancement of Cultural Heritage (based on the cases of Samarkand and St. Petersburg).' The project involves exploration and formulation of principles for designing digital tools aimed at preserving and promoting cultural heritage and will also examine the evolution of cultural and educational tourism based on this heritage. The study will be conducted in two major cultural centres—St. Petersburg and Samarkand, allowing not only to identify the characteristics of global trends in the studied processes but also to consider their historical, social, and regional aspects. The primary scientific objectives include systematising and comparing the features of existing platform solutions designed to preserve and promote cultural heritage, using St. Petersburg and Samarkand as case studies. Additionally, the study aims to identify the needs of specific target audiences, particularly local communities, regarding digital services aimed at preserving and promoting cultural heritage. The team also sets educational objectives, such as engaging students and doctoral students in research and providing professional development opportunities for specialists across sectors who are responsible for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

TRANSFORMATION OF DOCTORAL EDUCATION IN CHINA AND RUSSIA

The HSE Institute of Education and the Institute of Education at Tsinghua University presented a joint project titled 'Transformation of Doctoral Education in China and Russia.' As part of the joint project, a comparative study will be conducted to identify shared characteristics and differences in the transformation of doctoral education in the two countries and to reveal factors that facilitate or impede the advancement of doctoral education. The study will be implemented in three stages: at stage one, the researchers will describe and compare the reforms and trends in the transformation of doctoral education in China and Russia from a historical perspective; at stage two, the team will describe the landscape of institutional practices and measures undertaken to promote doctoral education in Russia and China, based on original empirical data; and at stage three, the focus will be on comparing the factors that impact on the effectiveness of doctoral education in the two countries at the national, institutional, and individual levels, and on identifying current challenges to the advancement of doctoral education. Publications and joint events are envisioned at each project stage.

DESIGN, SYNTHESIS AND STUDY OF III-N WIDE-BANDGAP HETEROSTRUCTURED MATERIALS AND MICROLASERS WITH HIGH-QUALITY RESONATORS

The International Laboratory of Quantum Optoelectronics at HSE Campus in St. Petersburg and the Centre for Wide-bandgap Nano- and Microelectronics at the B.I. Stepanov Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus submitted a collaborative project titled 'Design, Synthesis and Study of III-N Wide-Bandgap Heterostructured Materials and Microlasers with High-Quality Resonators.' Presently, research and development in the field of microlasers based on III-N materials, including GaN, AlGaN, InGaN, and others, show significant potential for advancement in Russia and Belarus. The team at the International Laboratory of Quantum Optoelectronics has amassed considerable experience in researching microlasers based on gallium arsenide and related compounds, while the Belarusian partner possesses the technology for synthesising high-quality structures based on III-N wide-bandgap materials. Combining the unique capabilities of both research teams will enable significant progress in developing III-N microdisk lasers, which currently stand among the most promising foundational components for optoelectronic and photonic integrated circuits. The collaborative efforts of both groups will facilitate the design of wide-bandgap heterostructures using III-N materials and high-quality resonators, as well as generate new knowledge in the field of optical and electronic phenomena occurring in nitride-based microresonators. As a result, low-threshold microlasers based on III-N materials will be developed. Additionally, a new scientific school focusing on III-N micro-emitters will be established through the creation of proprietary developments and the engagement of students and doctoral students in the research process. The expertise generated throughout the project will serve as the foundation for expanding the research teams’ collaboration to other pertinent areas employing micro-emitters and III-N epitaxial technologies.