On April 16, 2026, as part of the IX International Symposium “Education and the City: People and Institutions”, a roundtable “Popular Science Tourism as a Tool for Education and Regional Development” will be held in a hybrid format. The session will be moderated by Irina Kuklina, Executive Director of the Analytical Center for International Scientific, Technological, and Educational Programs, and member of the BRICS Scientific, Technical, and Innovation Cooperation Steering Committee.
The session is supported by the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, ANO Academy 2030, the Analytical Center for International Scientific, Technological, and Educational Programs, and the BRIDGES Strategic Partnership. It will focus on popular science tourism — an out-of-classroom educational format and a tool for regional development. Discussions will explore how universities, research organizations, and companies create educational routes, expeditions, and popular science projects that allow people to engage with the nature, culture, and science of various regions. Approaches to sustainable tourism will be considered, emphasizing careful treatment of the natural environment, involvement of local communities, and fostering ecological and cultural responsibility among participants. The session will also address how educational and scientific projects for a wide audience can drive regional development and connect universities, cities, and communities.
Speakers include:
- Natalia Latypova (Management Company of the Scientific and Educational Center of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Ufa) — “The Role of Popular Science Tourism in Regional Development: Experience Launching a Comprehensive Program”. About launching popular science tourism from scratch: key challenges, solutions, and creating inter-university routes, including the role of development institutes and campuses in regional growth.
- Olga Zakharova (Center for Supporting Initiatives of the Decade of Science and Technology, The National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow) — “The Role of Russian Regions in Shaping Popular Science Tourism Products”. About how regions contribute to the development of popular science tourism — creating favorable conditions, improving service quality, and facilitating cooperation between science, education, and tour operators.
- Bakir Uulu Jyldyazbek (Sport Grappling Kyrgyzstan Association, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) & Doorn Adakhanov (Media Holding “Piramida,” Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) — “Popular Science Tourism as a Form of Dialogue Between Countries and a Tool for Inter-Strategic Cooperation”. On using scientific tourism as an instrument for international dialogue, with examples of how media and informational support promote such projects and strengthen ties between countries.
- Daria Milyaeva (MCU, Moscow) — “Implementation of Academic Mobility Programs: MCU Experience”. About academic mobility programs, including study at partner universities, summer schools, international exchanges, and working with foreign students.
- Igor Egorov (Egorov & Partners, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman) — “Interest of Middle Eastern Countries in Popular Science and Educational Tourism in Russia”. About collaboration with partners from Oman and other Middle Eastern countries, audience demands, formats of interaction, and prospects for development.
- Ekaterina Maksimova (Alatur, Sochi) — “Popular Science Tourism as an Export Product of Russia: From Idea to International Market”. On transforming scientific tourism into an export product: packaging routes, working with foreign markets, and the role of tour operators in promotion.
- Svetlana Podshibyakina (Agency for Strategic Initiatives, Moscow) — “Target Model for the Development of Children’s and Youth Educational Tourism”. About the developed model for regional educational tourism: evaluation criteria, standards, best practices, and a comprehensive approach to infrastructure and product development.
The event will be held in a hybrid format: in-person at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation (Moscow, Miusskaya Square 7, building 1); a passport is required for entry. The link for online participation will be provided in the programme sent to all registered participants.
Please note that multiple events will take place simultaneously. The full programme will soon be available on the symposium website.