21.02.2025
On February 20, RSUH hosted the conference "Historical Education and the Diversity of the Modern Information Space". The event brought together specialists in digital technologies and information security, historians from various fields, strategic analysts, and leaders in the educational sphere.
The main goal of the Conference was to explore prospects and develop strategies for working with historical materials in the digital age. In his opening remarks, Acting Rector Loginov posed a key question to the academic community:
"The Internet has become deeply integrated into our lives, and information spreads at an incredible scale. Today, satisfying one’s informational needs is as easy as pressing a few buttons. The problem of information scarcity has been solved, but another critical issue arises: how do we preserve the essence of historical research in these new conditions?"
According to Acting Rector Loginov, historians often use terms like "interpretation" and "representation" of historical knowledge, but the real issue is – how do we preserve historical truth? He also referenced Russian Historical Society Chairman Sergei Naryshkin’s definition of historical truth as "knowledge about the past obtained through scientific methods”.
Historians are becoming increasingly involved in digital research, making historical education a key factor in shaping the digital space. RSUH’s Academic Director Efim Pivovar emphasized:
"Historical education not only influences but also defines and even produces the information space. It provides pragmatic approaches to solving issues in working with information, and both fields are constantly evolving and require resources. We must consider these processes as a system."
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has raised concerns about its application in historical research. Vice-Rector Olga Pavlenko highlighted a persistent global issue:
"There are still no clear ethical and methodological guidelines for using AI in historical studies."
The Conference demonstrated the effectiveness of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing research projects. This was reflected in the newly adopted concept for a future additional education program at RSUH, aimed at training specialists with competencies in digital communications and knowledge dissemination in modern conditions.
