Postgraduate Students in Sociology Focus on Youth Research

Elena Omelchenko, Director of the Centre for Youth Studies and Head of the Department of Sociology at the HSE Campus in St. Petersburg, speaks about plans for postgraduate training at the Centre.

— How does the Centre handle international postgraduate student mobility?

— We have two main avenues for international cooperation. The first is the University of Glasgow where either a postgraduate student or research assistant travels each year. The second is the University of Warwick, where we have an exchange agreement that brings two postgraduate students to the HSE from Britain and sends two of our students there. This cooperation agreement was signed for three years, although I am confident that it will be extended.

Those are the connections that are established and that we have up and running. Right now, we are also holding active discussions with the University of Glasgow on a wider set of exchange programmes that will bring more postgraduate students and professors to the HSE. We are holding discussions with the University of Tampere and the University of Manchester on double-degree Master’s programmes. The most important thing is to establish an exchange programme between our universities.

Moreover, expert consultations are also taking place with colleagues at our partner universities. For example, Hilary Pilkington, Professor at the University of Manchester and member of the British Sociological Association, is advising on opportunities for postgraduate practical training.

 — You will be a research advisor for postgraduate students at the Centre for Youth Studies. What kinds of subjects can students choose for their work?

— The main area of the centre’s research is reflected in its name. Youth, subculture, solidarity and everything connected with how young people act today. We focus on such topics as youth solidarity, gender studies, sexuality and corporality. We also have a research and study group called ‘Creative City’ that focuses on urban studies. This group studies the formation of new cultural spaces in St. Petersburg where entertainment and education overlap. Several other interesting areas focus on ethnicity and sports, as well as how they relate to young people. 

Inteviewed by Elena Gruzinskaya