FEDERAL STATE AUTONOMOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION NATIONAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITY HIGHER SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

Their core work

HSE is one of Russia's leading research universities, with strong social science and policy analysis capabilities applied to international development, climate policy, and societal challenges. In H2020, they contributed expertise in integrated assessment modelling for climate and energy transitions, regional cooperation studies (Caspian, Black Sea, Central Asia), and social science research on radicalisation and youth engagement. Their work bridges quantitative climate modelling with qualitative social and political analysis, serving as a key Russian academic node in European research networks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

HSE's early H2020 work (2015-2018) centred on regional cooperation — Caspian area development, Black Sea STI partnerships, and climate-development linkages through integrated assessment modelling. From 2017 onward, a social sciences strand emerged with research on radicalisation, youth engagement, and inequality. Their most recent projects (2019-2025) show a dual track: deepening climate policy work toward NDCs and global stocktake processes, while branching into cultural history research — a notable departure from their earlier applied policy focus.

HSE is consolidating around climate governance and emissions policy analysis while maintaining diverse social science interests — expect continued strength in global stocktake and NDC-related work.

How they like to work

HSE has never coordinated an H2020 project, always joining as participant or third party — often contributing specialised regional knowledge or modelling expertise to large consortia. With 115 unique partners across 42 countries, they operate as a well-connected node rather than a project driver. Their broad geographic reach and willingness to join diverse consortia suggest they are a flexible, low-friction partner who adapts to existing project structures rather than shaping them.

HSE has collaborated with 115 unique partners across 42 countries, making them one of the most internationally connected Russian institutions in H2020. Their network spans EU member states, Eastern Partnership countries, and Central Asian nations, reflecting their role as a bridge between European and post-Soviet research communities.

What sets them apart

HSE offers a rare combination: a top-tier Russian university with deep expertise in both quantitative climate modelling and qualitative social science, embedded in European research networks across 42 countries. For consortium builders, they provide access to Russian and Central Asian research perspectives that few other partners can deliver. Their dual competence in emissions pathway analysis and societal challenges (radicalisation, inequality) makes them unusually versatile for interdisciplinary projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CD-LINKS
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 210,000) and their flagship climate modelling project linking sustainable development with low-carbon pathways.
• DARE
  Substantial funding (EUR 199,596) for sensitive research on radicalisation and equality — demonstrates HSE's capacity to work on politically complex social topics within European consortia.
• ENGAGE
  Directly feeds into the Paris Agreement's Global Stocktake process, positioning HSE in one of the most policy-relevant climate research efforts of recent years.