‘Frontierspeople and Romantics’: First Graduates of Online Master’s in Digital Urbanism Receive Their Diplomas
At the end of June, 2025, Shukhov Lab hosted the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the online Master’s programme Digital Urban Analytics offered by HSE University. The programme trains interdisciplinary professionals—team leaders who are equally well-versed in both the analytical and managerial aspects of urban projects.
The inaugural intake brought together specialists from a wide range of fields and with diverse educational backgrounds and work experience: journalism and development, public administration, geography and philology, software engineering, political science, Asian and African studies, law, management, architecture, and urban planning. Each student had their own perspective and understanding of the city.
Over two years, students, under the guidance of leading academics and industry experts, learned to work with various types of urban data and conducted foundational analyses of urban processes using the relevant tools. A distinctive feature of the programme is its strong emphasis on teamwork and project-based learning, with students tackling real-life analytical challenges in urban development.
The first cohort is always special, noted Kirill Puzanov, Scientific Supervisor of the Digital Urban Analytics programme. ‘Not just because it is a testbed for new educational technologies and the internal logic of the programme. The first cohort always attracts a particular kind of person: frontierspeople and romantics, unafraid of the unknown,’ said Kirill Puzanov. ‘That is what makes any first intake remarkable, and ours is no exception. Thanks to these bold individuals, we ourselves overcame the fear that urbanism cannot be taught online. Their success proves that anything is possible.’
Graduates of the online programme shared their journeys into digital urbanism.
Anastasia Sharikova completed her undergraduate degree at HSE University–St Petersburg, specialising in public administration. ‘I had planned to continue studying there, but due to circumstances, I ended up enrolling in the online master’s programme,’ she explained. ‘I chose it mainly because of my undergraduate minor, which was related to urban planning—I realised that I really love cities.’
Anastasia plans to stay in St Petersburg to contribute to its development. She dreams of trying her hand at teaching and is considering applying for a PhD programme in a year’s time. To prospective students of the online master’s, she offers this advice: do not be afraid of the online format. ‘Digital Urban Analytics gives you such a solid foundation that you never feel disconnected from the community. At the start, some subjects seemed irrelevant, but after two years you realise just how essential that knowledge is. So, I would advise future students to simply accept that you might not enjoy everything, but by the end, you will understand why it was all necessary.’
Evgeny Chikrizov earned his bachelor’s degree in geography many years ago, followed by a master’s in philology. Choosing a second master’s was a challenging decision. ‘I joined the online programme after leaving my PhD studies, which I had to abandon after two years. The reason was simple: I realised that to succeed in academic research, I needed stronger analytical skills,’ said Evgeny. ‘So, I decided to take a step back to fill those gaps. What I remember most about the lecturers is their wisdom and professionalism. After nearly every session, there were memorable quotes, jokes, and warm recollections. Each of them contributed to my development and helped me become a true professional in my field.’
The sociological component of the programme was of particular importance to Evgeny, and he emphasises that in this respect, the course proved highly effective. ‘For those considering applying, I would advise being prepared for challenges—but rest assured, studying here is truly worthwhile. The key to success is a genuine interest in the subject.’
Daria Kondratenko is Director of Brand and Product at a development company where practice takes precedence over theory. ‘My job is to bring specific projects to life: from creating architectural solutions and urban planning to landscaping and urban environment design,’ she said. ‘While most of my projects are local—whether it is master planning, comprehensive development concepts, residential renewal, or small-scale housing complexes—each plays a vital role in shaping the city.’
Although Daria has many years of industry experience, her academic background is in journalism. Sensing a lack of theoretical knowledge, she decided to pursue a master's degree through the online Digital Urban Analytics programme. ‘I wanted in-depth knowledge that I could apply immediately. I have never been drawn to pure academia—I am very much a practitioner,’ she explained. ‘When I started looking for suitable educational options, I found that the HSE University programme was the only one that perfectly combined academic rigour with the flexibility of online learning. That is what made my choice clear.’
One of the most memorable experiences for Daria was the course on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Before joining the programme, she had no prior knowledge of this toolset, and mastering it was a real challenge. ‘Despite the difficulty of the material, the experience proved extremely valuable. I am now able to competently lead a team of GIS analysts—formulating tasks clearly and understanding the potential for expanding this area within our company. GIS helps us improve the quality of our research, analytics, and marketing—making the knowledge I have gained truly priceless,’ Daria added.
‘Finally, I think it is important to say this: preparing for admission and studying itself demand real effort—especially if you are working full-time. The older you get, the harder it is to adjust to the rhythm of the educational system. But you must not delay acquiring new knowledge. This is a process of not only career development but also personal transformation. You rediscover philosophy, science, the nature of things, and the structure of the world around you. To make the most of your studies, I strongly recommend thinking about your master’s thesis topic early on. Choose something you are truly passionate about—because managing your time independently takes real energy. Your choice will determine the direction of your future professional journey,’ Daria Kondratenko concluded.
Graduates of the programme can expect to pursue careers in consulting and development firms, urban planning organisations, city development institutes, analytical and research centres, think tanks, competence centres, and local or national government bodies.
More information about applying to the Digital Urban Analytics programme can be found here. Applications are open until September 15, 2025.