A group of Aberdeen students will visit Moscow next week as part of a new field trip designed to enhance their knowledge of the cultural geography of Russia.
Third year Geography students from the School of Geosciences within the University of Aberdeen's College of Physical Sciences will explore the culture and landscapes of the Russian capital during the trip which takes place from 8 – 22 of June.
The first expedition of its kind to be held by the University, the field trip is part of a wider initiative to develop links with the Lomonosov Moscow State University.
The students will also visit the cities of Vladimir, Suzdal and Sergiev Posad during the project, which aims to support and enhance their studies.
The field trip will provide the students with first-hand experience of Moscow and the surrounding area, and the opportunity to expand their knowledge of key themes in contemporary Russian culture including patriotism, orthodoxy and youth subcultures.
Dr Sergei Shubin, Geography Lecturer in the School of Geosciences, says: "The Russian Geography field trip is designed to engage the students with their studies by allowing them to explore the city of Moscow and surrounding areas, and absorb first-hand both the culture and landscapes of these intriguing destinations. From designing instruments and plans to developing their skills in observation, measurement and date collection, the trip is a unique opportunity for those involved to really immerse themselves in Russian society."
Taking place as part of a broader initiative to establish research links between the University and a number of other world's leading universities, the expedition is constructed around two student-led projects which are supported by academics and staff from the Lomonosov Moscow State University.
The visit was developed following a framework agreement forging academic and educational cooperation between the two universities, established earlier this year.
Dr Shubin continues: "Establishing links between the University of Aberdeen and world class universities from across the globe is a key objective for the institute. The agreement which was signed in March 2008, was spearheaded byDr. Yan Wang from the University of Aberdeen's Research and Innovation arm, and Professor David Macdonald, who is Head of the University's School of Geosciences. This collaboration aims to enhance links between the University and the Lomonosov Moscow State University, with a view to encouraging the exchange of information, ideas and knowledge between researchers from the two institutes.
"This relationship with the Lomonosov Moscow State University has been the driving force behind the Russian Geography Field trip and researchers from the institute will be presenting several lectures to the students over the course of the visit. It is hoped that further expeditions of this nature will be created in the future following what we are confident will be an extremely inspiring and successful trip."