16TH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SCHOOL
Through Museum’s Glass: A Cultural Pass
Cultural Anthropology
How do people from different countries, cities, villages see Yakut culture?
Which of the common and different things do they notice?
Why are some images familiar, while others are perceived as unique and reflecting local meanings?
How can we form a prototype museum of Yakutia's ethnorepresentation out of all this?
To find answers to these questions, we will conduct a field study with the participants of the IRSchool 2026.
Which of the common and different things do they notice?
Why are some images familiar, while others are perceived as unique and reflecting local meanings?
How can we form a prototype museum of Yakutia's ethnorepresentation out of all this?
To find answers to these questions, we will conduct a field study with the participants of the IRSchool 2026.
The “Ысыах” Holiday
You will be able to try yourself as cultural anthropologists, ethnographers and museum curators. Together we will study how representatives of different cultures perceive the key symbols and images of Yakutia, which of them represent culture and why.
The Yakut pattern
In a week, we will immerse ourselves in the methods of qualitative field research (included observation, interviews), master the full cycle of research: from the question to the guide, data collection and processing. We will also create a prototype of the museum space based on the research results, and your personal view will become part of it.
If you are interested in culture, its structure and how people communicate through different images without speaking the same language, we are waiting for you in our team! No special knowledge is required, we will learn everything during school, the main thing is the interest and desire to explore.
Requirements for participants:
If you are interested in culture, its structure and how people communicate through different images without speaking the same language, we are waiting for you in our team! No special knowledge is required, we will learn everything during school, the main thing is the interest and desire to explore.
Requirements for participants:
- Age: 15–18 years
- interest in intercultural communication, communication skills, and an understanding of ethical boundaries.
Tutors
Olesya Kochepasova
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Olesya is 22 years old and she is a student of the master's program “Evidence–based Education Development” HSE. She lives in St. Petersburg, but her homeland is Taganrog in the Rostov region. By first education, she is a philologist from head to toe with a strong focus on research at the intersection of culture, anthropology and modern phenomena. She specializes in qualitative research on higher and school education, and have already conducted two expeditions to different parts of our country.
She loves questions, tasks that force the brain to think. Everything ingenious is usually simple, and she likes to decompose difficult into clear. Together with Alexandra, this is exactly what they will try to teach you. They are always open to dialogue and are happy to talk, also with those members of the school who are involved in other projects.
She loves questions, tasks that force the brain to think. Everything ingenious is usually simple, and she likes to decompose difficult into clear. Together with Alexandra, this is exactly what they will try to teach you. They are always open to dialogue and are happy to talk, also with those members of the school who are involved in other projects.
Alexandra Polyakova
Moscow, Russia
Moscow, Russia
Alexandra is 22 years old and she graduated from the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, where she studied Public and Municipal Administration. She also has a second specialization in History, which shaped her academic interest in social and cultural processes.
She has experience in field research conducted in several regions of Russia, including the Vladimir region, Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Republic of Buryatia, and Moscow. Her research experience focuses on studying local communities, social practices, and regional social dynamics.
Currently, she works in the field of corporate learning and development, contributing to the creation and implementation of educational programs. She also has experience as a tutor, helping school students prepare research projects for academic competitions and providing guidance during the development of their final research papers.
She has experience in field research conducted in several regions of Russia, including the Vladimir region, Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Republic of Buryatia, and Moscow. Her research experience focuses on studying local communities, social practices, and regional social dynamics.
Currently, she works in the field of corporate learning and development, contributing to the creation and implementation of educational programs. She also has experience as a tutor, helping school students prepare research projects for academic competitions and providing guidance during the development of their final research papers.
