The Rector of Saint-Petersburg University of the Humanities and Social Sciences Prof. A. Zapesotsky
The Rector of Saint-Petersburg University of the Humanities and Social Sciences, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education, Doctor of Science(Cultural Studies), Professor, Merited Scientist of the Russian Federation, Merited Artist of the Russian Federation.
Prof. A. Zapesotsky was born in Kursk on April 14, 1954. He finished School № 6 of Physics and Mathematics (Kursk, 1970). In 1976 A.Zapesotsky graduated from Leningrad Institute of Fine Mechanics and Optics, in 1985 he finished post graduate education in Leningrad State Institute of Culture named after N.K.Krupskaya. He worked as a research associate in the State Institute of Optics (named after S.Vavilov), as an instructor of the scientific department in the Leningrad region Komsomol Committee. Since 1986 he has been working in the High trade union school of Culture, since 1991 as the Rector. In 1991 he leaded the University of the Humanities and Social Sciences, based on the High trade union school of Culture.
A.Zapesotsky is a member of editorial boards of the magazines “Literary education”, “Philosophy and Culture”, “Issues of Culture Study”, “Search”, “Philosophical Thought”, “Pedagogics and Education”, “Simurg” (Azerbaijan). He is a deviser in the sphere of the defense space technologies, an author of more than 2900 scientific and popular-science works, manuals, monographs about problems of culture, education, mass media, trade unions, social and youth politics, international relationships. They were published in 14 languages in different countries.
As a film director and a scriptwriter, an author and a stage director of some city celebrations, he has created 30 popular-science films and more than 300 TV-programmes.
A.Zapesotsky is the Principal of the Executive Committee of Saint-Petersburg Intellectuals Congress and a member of the directorate of Russian Children’s Fund.
A.Zapesotsky has been awarded the Order of Friendship, medals “For the Drowning’s Rescue”, “In Memoriam of 300th Anniversary of Saint-Petersburg”, “Patriot of Russia”, Chevalier of the Medal named after K.Ushinsky, the Golden Medal of Russian Academy of Education, the Golden Medal of writers and publicists Association named after L.Tolstoy (Paris), the Badge of Honour “Tsar Simeon’s the1stSignet” of Bulgarian Culture Ministry, the International Medal “SIMURG” of Azerbaijan Culture Association, the Medal in Memoriam of Academician Sapargaliev (Kazakhstan).
A.Zapesotsky is the Prize Laureate in Education of the Russian Government (2007) and Saint-Petersburg Government (2010, 2016), the Laureate of the Gorky Literary Prize (2007).
A.Zapesotsky is the Honorable Doctor of the Universities of the USA, Ireland, Ukraine and Poland. Academician of Art and Sciences Academy (Paris), European Art and Sciences Academy (Saltsburg).
There is a minor planet of the Solar system №6578 named after A.Zapesotsky.
The scientific research
Prof.A.Zapesotsky started his scientific research in the sphere of Physics and Secure Space Technics. He is an author of some secret publications and inventions. Since the middle of 80th he has been concentrating on the humanities. He has researched the phenomenon of mass youth culture in the books “Music and Youth” (1988), “This Inexplicable Youth: Problems of Informal Youth Communities” (1990).
Prof.A.Zapesotsky worked on his Doctoral Dissertation in the sphere of the humanity culture, monograph “Youth in the contemporary world concerning the problems of Individualization and Socio-Cultural Integration” (1996). In 2008 this theme got reconsideration in his book “Education and Mass Media as the Factors of Contemporary Youth Socialization”.
Since 1991 he has taken an interest in the purposes, conceptions of the education, Universities models. His book “The Humanity Culture and the Humanity Education” (1996) became considerable in the society. Its ideas have been developed in the monograph “Education: Philosophy, Culture Study, Politics” (2002) published by Philosophy Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences. The world of Russian scientists has recognized this book as a fundamental work in educational methods: the key philosophic dilemma of the purpose choice and formation of the conception in modern domestic education was resolved; the author offered the culture-centered education model. The ideas formulated in this book were effectively realized on the base of Saint-Petersburg University of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The culture-centered model of university was recognized by the Russian Academy of Sciences as the most innovative and perspective for Russia in the 21st century. In 2007 the book “Education: Philosophy, Culture Study, Politics” was awarded the Prize of the Russian Government.
Prof.A.Zapesotsky has written the book “Formation of the Cultural Science Paradigm” (2007), a series of articles of the last five years in the magazines “Russian Academy of Sciences Bulletin”, “Philosophy Issues”, “Human Being”, Social Sciences and the Modernity”, “Social Humanities”, “Philosophy and Culture” etc. These works are devoted to enforcement of the Culture Science basis as an independent branch of sciences, the definition of its role in the formation of the general scientific world view, further working-out of the paradigm treatment to the scientific development.
Some special publications were devoted to the scientific and moral heritage of Academician D.Likhachev: the report for the session of historic-philological sciences department of Russian Academy of Sciences timed to his 100th anniversary; more than 40 articles in the most popular Russian magazines. Fundamental work “Cultural Views of Dmitry Likhachev” (2007) was widely recognized in the scientific world of Russia; awarded the Gorky Literary Prize.
Prof.A.Zapesotsky has founded his own scientific School, has organized many significant scientific researches. Since 1993 he has been the only organizer of the annual International Scientific Conference named after Academician D.Likhachev. This conference is widely recognized in the scientific world. Books “Philosophy and Sociology of Culture” (2011), “Culture: a View from Russia” (2014) have become a kind of Prof.A.Zapesotsky’s creative anthology.
In 2008 he was elected the academician at Russian Academy of Education for a series about Mass Media impact on youth.
In December 2011 A.Zapesotsky was elected Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Prof.A.Zapesotsky is a significant theorist of Trade Unions activity. He has spoken on five congresses of the Russian Independent Trade Unions Federation. This thesis is published in the book “Trade unions as a phenomenon of contemporary civilization” (2014).
Social activity
While studying Leningrad Institute of Fine Mechanics and Optics A.Zapesotsky was the deputy head of the sports Club, then the deputy chairman of the Institute’s Trade union; he has organized the rescue group. The group supported an order in the river Neva area. He has personally saved two sinking people, awarded the medal.
In 1980-83 he worked as an instructor of the Science Department of Leningrad Komsomol Committee.
In the first half of 1980th A.Zapesotsky was a popular lector (problems of youth culture) among youth and Leningrad intellectuals, a presenter of TV programmes, lector of the branch of “Znanie” society.
In 1996 he was an election trustee of Saint-Petersburg Governor A.Sobchak.
Since the middle of 1990th until 2002 he was an author of series of educative TV programmes.
Since 1998 until 2003 he was a Member of the Culture Council under the support of the Governor of Saint-Petersburg.
In 1999 he organized Saint-Petersburg Intellectuals Congress under the instructions of Academician D.Likhachev and some other significant personalities of Russia, and then he has been elected as its Principal.
In 2000 he was an election trustee of Saint-Petersburg Governor V.Yakovlev.
In 2000-2003 he was a member of Saint-Petersburg Community Council presidium.
In 2002-2003 he was a member of the State committee for the celebration preparation of the 300th anniversary of Saint-Petersburg foundation; General Manager in the Fund for the support of this action.
Since 2004 A.Zapesotsky has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Charity Fund “Russian Trade Unions 100th anniversary”.
Since 2006 he has been a member of headship in Russian Children’s Fund.
In 2008 he was awarded the Saint-Petersburg Governor Charter for active preparations in Saint-Petersburg for the Presidential Election.
In 2009 he was elected a deputy head of Saint-Petersburg Rectors Council.
Since 2012 A.Zapesotsky has been President Vladimir Putin’s Trustee.
In 2012 his active citizenship in the Presidential Election in Saint-Petersburg and participation in socio-political country life was highly appreciated by President Vladimir Putin.
Since 2012 he has been a member of the Public scientific-methodical consulting council under the Central Election Commission.
Since 2012 he has been a member of the Public Council under the Federal Tax Service in Saint-Petersburg.
In 2013 he got gratitude for his active participation in the preparation and holding of 8th Congress of the Russian Independent Trade Unions Federation.
In 2014 he was awarded honorary “For Merits before Frunzensky district of Saint-Petersburg”.