‘Comparative Politics of Eurasia’: International Perspective on Political Processes
The Master’s programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia' trains specialists who can choose various professional paths. Students not only master theoretical aspects of international relations and politics but also develop their competencies in applied spheres. In this interview, Andrey Starodubtsev, academic supervisor of the programme, shares some details about the curriculum, student projects, and career opportunities for graduates.
— The Master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia' has existed for many years. Could you tell us how the programme’s content has changed in the context of global trends?
— 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia' is a programme aimed at the comparative study of political processes in the post-Soviet space and in Eurasia more widely. At first, it was an academic programme focusing mostly on the issues of internal state politics. But gradually, it started to cover issues of international relations in this region, as well as enhance expertise in public administration and socio-economic development with an emphasis on the development of competencies in applied analytical work. Such changes quite soon resonated with Russian and international applicants.
At the moment, the programme offers two tracks. The first is research. There, students study theories and methods of modern political science and develop as researchers. The second is an applied track covering the issues of political, socio-economic, and international development in post-Soviet countries.
— Why, in your opinion, is the programme still in demand and popular in the modern world?
— Our applicants cite several reasons. Firstly, the post-Soviet space is great for studying almost any hot topic in political science, and the focus on methodological training helps to carry out such an analysis in the most effective way. Secondly, in their development, post-Soviet countries go through all the main problems of transitional societies and modernising countries, so they allow us to study in detail the phenomenon of public and state development. The knowledge gained will come in handy not only concerning the post-Soviet region but also other countries. Finally, international processes in the region draw the attention of representatives from various disciplines. That's why we have remained a popular international programme for a long time.
— Why was English chosen as the language of instruction?
— Our programme was initially oriented towards not only Russian but also international students. The international student community allows us to stick to the comparative context not just as a research approach but also as a principle of peer teaching in which various topics are discussed from the point of view of representatives from various countries, cultures and ideological positions. Besides, the ability to communicate and write in English remains a primary competence in the sphere of social sciences and social processes.
— After so many years, the programme has made a lot of partners in the industry. Where do students usually undertake internships and with whom do they work on projects?
— The key partner of our programme is the consulting and auditing company Business Solutions and Technologies (BST), with which we develop the agenda in the sphere of sustainable development of companies, cities, regions, and countries. During the master's degree, students learn how the agenda is being implemented in the ESG sphere at the current stage of its development, study the nuances of business in various countries, and participate in projects on analysing legislation and practices in the sphere of the relationships between business, society, and the state.
Our students also take part in projects by research centres and initiatives at HSE University's St Petersburg and Moscow campuses. For instance, we are currently working on an analytical project with BST in which the students are making a map of ESG requirements in various countries. The ESG agenda is the core. Whatever specific characteristics one country or another has, it is very important to be versed in matters of environmental and social development, social partnerships between companies, the state, and society, and issues of companies' internal development. For example, it's clear that when a business structure comes to a country, it's vital for them to know what requirements are in place there. This is why we and BST are making such a map. It will provide any company seeking to do business in any country with enough information on how the ESG agenda is developing there.
— Tell us more about the career prospects of graduates of the programme. What spheres do they work in?
— We work for several main markets—academia, non-profit organisations, governmental entities, business, and media. I'll give some examples. Evgeny Akulov, a graduate of our bachelor's and master's programmes in political science, works at BEsmart, a company engaged in communication projects and consulting in this sphere. Mir Ali Askerov is a successful professor at the Institute of Asian and African Studies and the Department of Political Science and International Affairs at HSE University–St Petersburg. Dmitriy Fedoseikin worked at the auditing company Kept and later at the Department of Transportation of Moscow. Mikhail Grechishnikov held a position in the Government Relations Department at Megafon. Halit Kilic, as far as I know, works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkey. Several graduates are involved in consulting and journalistic projects.
— Your programme is a double-degree programme with the University of Trento in Italy. How does it work in practice? How many students per year can participate in this programme and what is the selection process like?
— Every year, two to four students of our programme go to the University of Trento, which has a partner programme on international research and the European Union. Students spend a year there—usually the second year of their studies.
The selection process corresponds to the university-wide practice: at the end of the first year of studies, the call for the double-degree studies is announced. For the competition, students have to prepare a motivation letter explaining how the University of Trento can help them. Students also prepare the project of their master's research and highlight its connection with the specialisation of the programme at the University of Trento.
— You are directly involved in the selection of international applicants. What is the profile of the ideal first-year student of your master's programme? What do you pay attention to when analysing a portfolio and conducting an interview? What is your advice for prospective students?
— My main piece of advice is that an applicant must understand why they need the master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia.' When selecting, we have to be sure that our programme can help this person to develop further in their professional path. If we see that an applicant doesn't really understand the difference between our programme and others in the market, that works against the candidate.
We also check applicants' basic knowledge on political science and social sciences. That doesn't mean that we accept only political scientists; we accept students with various backgrounds. It can be economics, journalism, or other specialisations. However, we rarely invite candidates without any basic knowledge in the sphere of social sciences.
The third thing is that we would like to understand what a prospective student is planning to specialise in and what their research would be about.
— How would you sum up your master's programme?
— We are international, and this internationality is fundamentally important. We are international in terms of the language we speak, the faculty and student community, and the educational standards we strive for.
Our programme also offers uncompromising electiveness. This means that in fact, the only compulsory course is the so-called 'Core Seminar,' a key seminar which is related to the chosen track. Students choose all the other courses themselves from a quite extensive range of disciplines. It is a very important feature of our programme.
— Do you have any wishes or guidance for future students?
— I always have the same guidance for applicants and master's students. In comparison to a bachelor's degree, a master's programme is very short. You can enrol in a bachelor's programme to find yourself, feel like a part of the community, make it your main goal, and see what happens next. But a master's degree is a very short journey on which it is important to set a goal and pursue it deliberately and quickly. There is no time to relax. So it is vital to find a master's programme that allows you to reach that goal. As such, I always advise students to find a goal and a programme that suit them. If you can make this kind of match, it is a great boost for your career and development; it is great luck.