Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University creates its own scientific journal

The Congress was attended by over 1,000 researchers and experts from 89 regions of the Russian Federation and from other countries, including: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The young scientists discussed the prospects for further development of research activities in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and topical issues in the field of education. The Congress programme included panel meetings to discuss initiatives in the sphere of national science and address questions about: the role of mentoring in research industry; increasing the human resources potential; and generating publicity for the Russian researchers’ achievements. During the Congress, science volunteers, winners of the Leaders of Russia contest and members of councils of young scientists and student scientific societies presented their projects aimed at improving the social and economic situation in the regions.

The delegation of St Petersburg University included: Vsevolod Nikolaev, Chairperson of the University’s Student Scientific Society; Pavel Gorbunov, Deputy Chairperson of the Student Scientific Society, and Anastasiia Kalinichenko; Chair of the External Relations Committee of the Student Scientific Society.

Members of student scientific societies of educational organisations in St Petersburg made presentations at the Congress. They shared their plans for the coming year and put forward proposals for coordinating research activities in St Petersburg and solving regional issues. Vsevolod Nikolaev, Executive Secretary and Chairperson of the Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University, also addressed the Congress. According to Vsevolod Nikolaev, one of the key tasks facing the scientific societies of the Northwestern Federal District is to unite all research organisations in the region. This can be instrumental in providing guidance to junior colleagues and support for their professional development and engaging local communities in organising research conferences, seminars and symposia.

By establishing a united Council, we would be able to expand the range of tasks — currently handled by one of the universities — to involve all educational institutions of the Northwestern Federal District. Also, we would be able to attract a wider circle of students and early-career researchers who are willing to engage in research projects both inside and outside their university.

Vsevolod Nikolaev, Executive Secretary and Chairperson of the Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University

Vsevolod Nikolaev stressed that student scientific societies need to join efforts and set up collaborative work with the support of the regional authorities. This will facilitate obtaining financial resources and providing social support for early-career researchers, winners of scientific Olympiads and other members of the research community of the Northwestern Federal District. He also noted that the Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University is preparing funding proposals to support research projects and awards, grants and personal scholarships programmes for talented youth. One of the ideas presented to the Coordination Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education under the Presidential Council for Science and Education formed the backbone of the new all-Russian project "The Mendeleev Card", which has already attracted over 5,000 participants.

The Congress also discussed possible solutions to the challenges impeding the development of research activities of educational organisations in the Northwestern Federal District, with exception of St Petersburg. In particular, early-career researchers from St Petersburg University proposed to hold in 2024 a School of Scientific Societies of the Northwestern Federal District. The main goals of the project are: encouraging educational institutions to support their students’ interest in research activities in the subjects of the Northwestern Federal District; eliminating administrative barriers; and tackling funding issues.

The action plan presented at the 11th All-Russian Congress of Councils of Young Scientists and Student Scientific Societies was developed within the framework of the roundtable meeting of the Council of Young Scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Scientific Societies of St Petersburg, including Student Scientific Societies of: St Petersburg University; Baltic State Technical University VOENMEH named after D F Ustinov; Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University; and the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA).

The roundtable meeting discussed mentoring programmes options and the joint work plan for the next year. The upcoming projects presented at the meeting include the organisation of the annual International Scientific and Practical Conference of St Petersburg University. Last year, the event programme featured eight conference tracks, while this year, the conference will also include panel discussions, lectures and project games. ‘We decided to opt for the Youth Labour Forum format, containing not only presentations, but also plenary sessions, practical workshop sessions, and meetings with employers. Currently, we have been contacting large companies inviting them to participate, and some of them have already shown interest in the event,’ said Vsevolod Nikolaev, Chairperson of the Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University.

The Youth Labour Forum is held as part of the St Petersburg International Labour Forum. It provides a platform for dialogue between young people and representatives of the government agencies, business and science. The event is organised jointly by St Petersburg University and the Government of St Petersburg.

The Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University is the organiser of the popular science show Science Slam SPBU, which is scheduled for the coming autumn. A science slam is a scientific talk where scientists present their own scientific research work to a diverse audience in an accessible and entertaining way. The event will feature live stand-up performances by five speakers from different fields of science.

Vsevolod Nikolaev also reported on the launch of a scientific journal "Vestnik of the Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University" offering young scholars and early-career researchers the opportunity to publish their research findings in a high-profile scientific publication. The multidisciplinary journal accepts research and review papers from any field of scientific knowledge in accordance with the Russian State Classifier of Scientific and Technical Information. The papers for the first issue have already been selected. The journal is currently being indexed. Its presentation will take place in March next year as part of the School of Scientific Societies of the Northwestern Federal District.

"Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University" is an international scientific peer-reviewed journal series, founded in 1946 in Russia, covering the latest advances in science. The focus of the journal series is original research papers; analytical reviews and reports on various academic and research events. Currently, the series consists of 17 scientific journals, including: "Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Earth Sciences"; "Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. History"; and "Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Language and Literature".

Student science and research is not the only focus of the Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University. Another focus area is cooperation with employers. Thus, the Project Workshop at St Petersburg University provides a support platform for students to work on their own innovative projects and present them at the annual all-Russian contest of innovative projects "SPbU Start-up".

‘Opened in 2018, the Project Workshop has been working at the University for quite a while. Now, it will work under the auspices of the Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University. Our activists, who have experience in project work, and mentors from the members of the Council of Young Scientists, who took the initiative at the 11th Congress of Councils of Young Scientists and Student Scientific Societies in Nizhny Novgorod, are willing to help students in their innovative projects. Indeed, we will also involve the University academics in this work,’ Vsevolod Nikolaev emphasised.

The Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University unites members of student scientific societies in the fields of knowledge and areas of study of St Petersburg University. Its main goals are: popularising science among students; encouraging students’ interest in research; and developing science and technology at the University. Students of all years and areas of study interested in science and research and social work are welcome to take part in the activities of the Student Scientific Society.

Additionally, within the framework of the Project Workshop initiative, it is planned to hold a Case Championship aimed at developing the best solutions to current challenges of science and technology. The Project Workshop seeks to provide support and guidance to students in: building their career paths; searching for employers; and working on case studies in economics, finance, information technology and other areas.

The Student Scientific Society of St Petersburg University also took part in the regional Conference of Councils of Young Scientists and Student Scientific Societies of the Northwestern Federal District held in February 2023. The Conference decided to hold a large congress of scientists and researchers of the Northwestern Federal District in autumn 2023.