Belief in Life after Death Affects Suicide Rates
Followers of older, more established religions are less likely to commit suicide than adepts of newer faiths. Factors influencing the risk of suicide include a feeling of isolation from the majority and a belief in life after death, according to a study by Eduard Ponarin, Director of the HSE's Laboratory for Comparative Social Research (LCSR) in St. Petersburg, and Vassily Usenko, M.D., Ph.D., from Dnipropetrovsk.
41%
of Russians aged 25-64 years who are receiving continuing education are doing so for general development or to follow their passions.
Alcohol Use Will Lead the Country to Colonial Dependence
Most research into social change limits itself to social factors causing change. However, other factors, such as natural disasters, climate and geographical peculiarities of the particular place, or infectious diseases also have a significant impact on societal evolution.
31%
of Russians believe that science is too complicated for people who are untrained. They also believe that reading news on the world of science is pointless, as people will not understand regardless.
50%
of Russians believe that academics have less exciting lives than other people do.
Universities Fall into Decay Because of Opposition to Changes
Universities decline not only due to a lack of money, enrollment of weak students, lack of ties with professional communities, and brain drain. Conservatism of their administration, lecturers and scholars is also an obstacle to the life-saving ‘reset’ of universities, Isak Froumin, Academic Supervisor of the HSE Institute of Education, and Mikhail Lisyutkin, Junior Research Fellow at this Institute, say in their paper ‘The Phenomenon of Degrading Universities in Russia. Stating the Problem’.
59%
of people holding doctoral and candidate of science degrees are theoretically willing to change jobs if offered the opportunity to take part in a large-scale project that is important for the country.
Scholars Explore New Approaches to Women’s History in Russia
This year, a group of Russian scholars, published Women's History in Russia: (Re)Establishing the Field, which through a series of essays explores Russian gender and women’s history. The book’s editor, Marianna Muravyeva, Associate Professor, St. Petersburg School of Social Sciences and Humanities recently spoke with the HSE news service about the book and the growing interest in women’s history among Russian scholars.
28%
of Russians would be delighted at their daughters’ desire to become software developers. 40% would be happy if their sons pursued a similar career.
Vladimir Lukin: ‘Russia Remains a European Country’
On December 23 2014, the inaugural lecture by Vladimir Lukin, Professor of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs took place at HSE. The former Commissioner for Human Rights spoke about politics, diplomacy and why Russia remains a European country.