Vice President of the Russian geographical society,

Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences, St. Petersburg State University

Dear readers!

A scientific approach to the problems of environmental protection and rational nature management is today a universally recognized imperative. It is largely based on the achievements of the geosciences, the development of which in Russia is inextricably linked with the history of St. Petersburg. Scientific schools in this direction began to form after the founding of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and the University in 1724 by decree of Peter I. Such great scientists as Leonhard Euler, Stepan Krasheninnikov, Mikhail Lomonosov were involved in their formation in the 18th century. Their works laid the foundation for the emergence already in the 19th century of university departments of geography and statistics (as economic geography was then called). A significant event was the formation of a unique university school of natural sciences by Vasily Dokuchaev, many of whose students later became the founders of new areas of earth sciences (Vladimir Vernadsky, Alexander Fersman, and others). Minerologist and soil scientist Vasily Dokuchaev attached great importance to the study of the influence of man, his economic activity on the natural environment of European Russia.

It is important to remember that in 1845 the Russian Geographical Society (RGS) was created in St. Petersburg, which quickly received the status of the Imperial Society. The Russian Geographical Society was engaged not only in organizing expeditions to the little-studied regions of the north and center of Eurasia, but also in collecting and disseminating truthful information about the characteristics of nature, population, and the economy of various regions of Russia, and solved the problems of rational nature management. In this regard, in 1912, the permanent Environmental Commission of the Russian Geographical Society was founded. Her work laid the foundation for the creation of the first reserves in Russia, for which research was organized in the Volga Delta, in the Northern Urals, in the Pechora Territory, in Kamchatka, in the Baikal region, in the Sayans.

The growing need for information about natural conditions and resources was reflected in the creation in 1915 of the Academic Commission for the Study of Natural Productive Forces (KEPS), headed by Vladimir Vernadsky. To solve the problems of expanding the resource base of the country, comprehensive accounting natural conditions, conducting large-scale expeditionary research in Russia, it became necessary to train specialists with higher education in various fields of earth sciences, certified geographers, geologists, cartographers, meteorologists, hydrologists, oceanologists, soil scientists, etc. At the beginning of the 20th century, various geographical circles and courses were created in St. , but this was clearly not enough. Therefore, the leading representatives of the scientific community have repeatedly petitioned for the creation of an appropriate higher educational institution and specialties for scientific workers, however, under the conditions of the First World War, the issue was constantly postponed.

Surprisingly, the decision was made already in revolutionary Petrograd, when the People's Commissar of Education A.V. Lunacharsky signed a decree on the establishment of the Geographical Institute on September 1, 1918 on the basis of the Higher Geographical Courses under the Dokuchaev Soil Committee of the KEPS, which was administered by the People's Commissariat of Agriculture. Based on this fact, in 2018 we are celebrating the centenary of the creation of a specialized higher education in the field of earth sciences. This was the point of growth, from which numerous academic institutions and university departments began to develop, spread throughout the country and engaged in the study of environmental problems.

Geographic Institute, which, according to the charter, conducted scientific and academic work in almost all areas of the Earth sciences, at first headed by the geographer Iosif Lukashevich. Despite the hunger and cold of revolutionary Petrograd, the Geographical Institute worked successfully, expanding the circle of students and professors involved in studies and research. In 1919, the outstanding geologist academician Alexander Fersman became the director of the Geographical Institute, who in 1925, as dean, transformed it into a faculty of the Leningrad State University. Among the students of the Geographical Institute and the first graduates of the faculty came out outstanding representatives of the geosciences. Thus, the graduates of 1926 were the future academicians Konstantin Markov and Innokenty Gerasimov, who subsequently headed the Faculty of Geography of Moscow State University and the Institute of Geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences, respectively. The Geographical Institute, like the faculty of the university, was closely associated with the Geographical Society. Among the professors and heads of departments in different years were the presidents of the society, academicians Yuliy Shokalsky and Lev Berg, later Stanislav Kalesnik and Aleksey Tryoshnikov.

As part of the Leningrad - St. Petersburg State University, the line of development, begun by the Geographical Institute in Petrograd in 1918, has never been interrupted, although the names of the faculties and their interaction have changed repeatedly. In 1986, geoecology was added to the geographical and geological sciences as a science of the environment and nature management. On the present stage, in 2014, on the basis of two faculties (Geography and Geoecology and Geology, as well as the Department of Soil Science), the Institute of Earth Sciences of St. Petersburg State University was established. This reflects the modern needs for natural-science interdisciplinary synthesis and, at a new level of development, returns us to rethinking the events of a century ago.

Today, the focus is still on the issues of expanding the mineral resource base of our country, the oil and gas business, rational environmental management and nature protection, climate change and its consequences, the location of economic sectors and the formation of a settlement system and the transport and logistics system of the country, geographical, hydrometeorological, cartographic and geoinformation support for solving national economic problems, land management and cadastres, urban development, geoecology, environmental safety, and tourism. As before, the Russian Geographical Society is actively involved in solving the above range of issues. It actively contributes to the development of an updated concept of geographical education at school, creates opportunities for young researchers to gain experience in expeditionary work in various regions of Russia, attracts volunteers to solve practical problems, and promotes modern geographical and environmental knowledge.

St. Petersburg has historically formed a powerful center for solving various problems of environmental research, which includes universities, academic and industry institutes. Without them, it is impossible to imagine the study of the Arctic and Antarctic, the World Ocean, the European and Asian territories of Russia and even other continents. It is of fundamental importance that the centenary of the establishment of the Geographical Institute in Petrograd contribute to the further introduction of modern high-tech methods scientific research to solve urgent problems of development of our country.

St. Petersburg has every opportunity to attract young researchers to the further progress of the Earth sciences. I am sure that the scientific schools of St. Petersburg are able to preserve and increase best traditions and achievements of geographical and geological sciences. I sincerely wish the magazine " Environment Petersburg" further success, and its readers - new achievements in the conservation of the world's natural and cultural heritage and in increasing the wealth of Russia.

Job title

Professor of the Department of Physical Geography and Landscape Planning

Department phone: 323-39-13

Education, academic degrees and titles

Doctor of Geography, Associate Professor

• Doctor of Geography, 2001
• Associate Professor, St. Petersburg State University, 1994
• Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Leningrad State University, 1988
• Postgraduate study, Leningrad State University, 1988
• Specialist, Faculty of Geography, Leningrad State University, 1985

Scientific interests

Problems historical geography, dynamic landscape science and paleogeography of the mountainous regions of Altai-Sayan and Inner Asia, the Caucasus, namely the dynamics of mountain glaciers and associated lakes, geocryological phenomena, mountain forests and steppes, desertification processes. Carrying out expeditionary research and monitoring observations in the mountains. Modeling landscape responses to climate change and anthropogenic impacts.

Major Publications

The total number of publications - more than 120

1. Geoecology of mountain basins / N.N. Mikhailov, K.V. Chistyakov, M.I. Amosov and others; Ed. Yu.P. Seliverstova. - L.: Leningrad University Press, 1992. - 292 p.
2. Chistyakov K.V., Seliverstov Yu.P. Regional Ecology of Little Changed Landscapes: North-West of Inner Asia. St. Petersburg: Publishing House of St. Petersburg. university 1999. 264 p.
3. Mountains and people: changes in landscapes and ethnic groups of the inland mountains of Russia / K.V. Chistyakov, N.V. Kaledin, I.G. Moskalenko and others; Ed. K.V. Chistyakova, N.V. Kaledina. - St. Petersburg, VVM, 2010. - 438 p.
4. Chistyakov K.V., Ganyushkin D.A., Moskalenko I.G., Dullo W.-C. THE GLACIER COMPLEXES OF THE MOUNTAIN MASSIFS OF THE NORTH-WEST OF INNER ASIA AND THEIR DYNAMICS // GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY. 2011. No. 02 P.4-21.
5. Mongun-Taiga mountain range / K.V. Chistyakov, D.A. Ganyushkin, I.G. Moskalenko and others. Ed. K.V. Chistyakov. St. Petersburg: "Art-Express", 2012. - 310 p., with illustrations.
6. Glebova A.B., Dirin D.A., Chistyakov K.V. Spatio-temporal features of the development of the landscapes of Gorny Altai. Monograph. Barnaul. Publishing house Alt. un-ta, 2013. 140 p. ISBN 978-5-7904-1569-2.

Other professional activities

• Vice President of the Russian Geographical Society (RGO)
• Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the journal "Proceedings of the Russian Geographical Society",
• Member of the Bureau of the National Committee of Russian Geographers
• Member of the Joint Scientific Council for Fundamental geographical issues at the International Association of Academies of Sciences (IAAS)
• Member of the editorial boards of the journals "Geography and Natural resources”, “Ice and snow”

PUBLIC PROJECTS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN RUSSIA

K.D. Chistyakov

Department of State-Confessional Relations International Institute of Public Service and Management Russian Academy national economy and public service under the President Russian Federation Ave. Vernadsky, 82-1, Moscow, Russia, 119571

The article deals with some aspects of the non-liturgical activities of the Roman Catholic Church related to the organization and activities of Catholic orders, the organization of laity associations, publishing, educational and educational activities, the release of periodicals, seen as a social canvas of political influence.

Keywords Keywords: catholic church, soft power, public projects.

Late 80s The 20th century, which went down in history as "perestroika", marked the beginning of a process of radical transformation of our country, which did not leave any sphere of society and state life unchanged. Undoubtedly, one of the positive tendencies of these processes was the change in the position of religious organizations in Russia, which received the opportunity to become full-fledged participants in various public and social processes.

The activities of the Roman Catholic Church, like those of other religious organizations, are no longer limited solely to the celebration of the necessary sacraments and regular worship, and extend to various areas public life.

The Catholic Church in Russia is not numerous, but it has a clear hierarchical structure, an institute for the training of the clergy, institutions for catechesis and the education of the laity. In Russia, there are a number of Catholic orders, which are centers of educational, educational and humanitarian activities. Let us briefly consider those of them that are most active in Russia.

One of the most active branches of the Order of St. Francis is an "Order of Friars Minor Conventual". It has been operating in Russia since 1993. On May 13, 2001, the general custodian of this order was solemnly founded in Moscow, that is, an autonomous administrative unit that unites several monasteries with its own chapter and direct subordination to the general minister of the order. The Custodia includes the following Franciscan monasteries in Russia: the monastery of St. Francis in Moscow, the monastery of St. Anthony the Wonderworker in St. Petersburg, the monastery of the Mother of God of Angels in Kaluga, and the monastery of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Chernyakhovsk (Kaliningrad region), the monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Astrakhan.

Monasteries also serve as centers of non-liturgical educational activities.

So, at the Franciscan monastery of St. Anthony the Wonderworker in St. Petersburg there is a "Center for Christian Culture and Franciscan Spirituality", where a series of meetings "Tuesdays at the Franciscans" are held - their topics relate to different aspects of Christian life. A similar cultural center operates in Moscow. In Novosibirsk, the Roman Catholic Church of the city of Novosibirsk and the Order of the Friars Minor (Franciscans) established comprehensive school. The publishing house of the Franciscans is actively working in Russia.

On the territory of Russia there are also communities of Dominicans. Their activities are concentrated in St. Petersburg and coordinated from Kyiv, where in 1992 a center was opened to manage the joint Russian-Ukrainian vicariate of St. arch. Michael. The Moscow Dominican community was closed in the late 1990s. for lack of brothers.

From 1991 to 2007, the Dominican newspaper Truth and Life was published in St. Petersburg. Now the non-liturgical activities of Dominicans in Russia are carried out on the basis of the parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria, in particular, within the framework of the "Church and Culture" meetings. The first meetings began in 2004 and were irregular. From 2006 to 2009 there was a break, from September 2009 meetings began to be held once a month.

In June 1992, the "Independent Russian Region of the Society of Jesus" was registered in Russia, which is patronized by the St. Thomas Aquinas Institute in Moscow. The Jesuit Fathers in Novosibirsk in November 2011 created the cultural center "Inigo", which combines a library and a house of spiritual exercises. In Russia, there is a Jesuit publishing house (at the Institute of St. Thomas Aquinas), which, as a rule, translates and publishes the works of prominent Catholic theologians in Russian, and also publishes liturgical texts.

On the territory of Russia, Catholic orders and societies were opened with less extensive activities: the Brotherhood of the Missionary Priests of St. Charles Borromeo, the Comforting Brothers from Gethsemane, the Claretins, the Salvatorians, the Merciful Sisters of the Holy Cross, the Nazareth Sisters, the Sisters from the Angels " and others .

In addition to monastic orders, there are also secular Catholic organizations in Russia, such as the Focolari, the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholics for "Summorum Pontiflcum" and "Neocatechumenate".

Among these organizations, the Caritas Society should be especially noted. This large international organization operates in 198 countries and unites more than 150 different organizations. In our country, society has launched extensive charitable activities; takes care of the disabled for whom they are designed own programs rehabilitation, the elderly and orphans, distributes humanitarian aid. Caritas has its offices in different regions Russian Federation. Since 1994, the Society has been operating the Spiritual Library, which distributes more than 100 thousand books of religious content per year.

Speaking of extra-liturgical activities, one cannot but touch upon the question of the cultural activities of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia. Cultural events in modern world become the platform where modern society and religion can meet. The Roman Curia has a special department dealing with cultural issues: the Pontifical Council for Cultural Affairs was established in 1982 by Pope John Paul II to promote dialogue and cooperation between the church and different cultures today.

First of all, the organization of various educational meetings on the basis of parishes and Catholic communities should be attributed to this kind of activity of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia. If you start from Moscow, then the center, of course, is the Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. Concerts of organ and classical sacred music, festivals, exhibitions, educational and educational meetings are held here. Saint Petersburg also regularly hosts concerts of organ music and old classical music.

A similar practice of holding concerts exists in other major cities(Catholic parishes) of Russia - in Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Tobolsk, Saratov.

An interesting example such activity is the organization of cultural centers that do not have a bright and specific confessional attachment. The Moscow cultural center "Spiritual Library" (cultural and educational center "Pokrovsky Gates") was born at the dawn of the 90s. 20th century The "Spiritual Library" was created as a center for the publication and dissemination of spiritual literature, and its main tasks were educational, cultural and publishing activities. The co-founders of the Pokrovsky Gates Center were, and are, the Catholic charitable organization Caritas of the European part of Russia, the Italian Catholic Foundation Christian Russia and the Christian Education Centre in the name of St. Cyril and Methodius.

Scientific and educational meetings are held in the center on a regular basis, discussion platforms, theater performances and musical evenings are organized.

Such organizations that successfully operate in Russia include the independent public non-profit organization Art of Kindness. Its main tasks include the popularization of Western European sacred music in modern Russia. Every year, the Foundation organizes more than a hundred concerts of sacred music, which are attended by about thirty thousand people. In addition to concert activities, the Foundation is engaged in various related projects - master classes, seminars, courses, festivals.

Changes in the position of religious organizations in our country 20 years ago immediately exposed a large number of problems, often associated with the most mundane things. One of the acute problems was the lack of literature, both liturgical and educational. For a long-term solution to these

problems, it was necessary to organize a publishing house in Russia, and not to import literature published abroad. A number of publishing houses were opened in Russia.

Since 1993, the Paoline publishing house has been operating in Moscow. This publishing house operates in many countries of the world and is engaged not only in book publishing, but also in the production of films, recording music, organizing exhibitions, film forums, the publishing house has its own bookstore of the same name. In the Leningrad region, there is a publishing house "Bely Kamen", opened in 2005, it specializes in the release of spiritual literature of the Eastern and Latin rites. In St. Petersburg there is a Selesian publishing house at the center of Don Bosco. The publishing house has existed at the Polygraphic College since 1999. Since February 1994, the Franciscan Publishing House has been operating, which publishes literature of theological, religious-philosophical and cultural-historical nature, as well as liturgical books. During its existence, the publishing house not only published more than 200 titles of books, but also became a well-known educational center throughout Russia.

Perhaps the largest project of the publishing house is the Russian-language Catholic Encyclopedia in 5 volumes. Work on this project was started back in 1999, and in 2013 the last fifth volume was published. The Franciscans are also engaged in the publication of periodicals for Russian Catholics.

Another publishing house, "Adalbertinum", was opened in Kaliningrad. A number of publishing houses later merged into an informal association "Association of Catholic Publishers of Russia".

The organization of publishing in Russia made it possible to start publishing periodicals. At the moment, there are fewer Catholic periodicals in Russia than there were in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. There is a general trend towards the transition from printed publications to electronic resources.

In 1994, with the blessing of Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the weekly Catholic newspaper "The Light of the Gospel" was opened. The newspaper covered quite well the life of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia.

Correspondents of the newspaper, which was based in Moscow, worked in St. Petersburg, Saratov, Sochi, Novosibirsk, Tula, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Magadan, Vladivostok. In 2008, the Catholic newspaper "The Light of the Gospel" ceased to exist, and instead of it, the magazine "Catholic Messenger - The Light of the Gospel" was published. This edition now exists in an online format called In the Light of the Gospel. Also on the official website of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow www.cathmos.ru you can find the "Information Bulletin".

There are also Catholic regional periodicals: "The Catholic Messenger" (Krasnoyarsk), a Catholic newspaper on English language"Vladivostok sunrise", "Dominican dialogues".

In Novosibirsk, the Siberian Catholic Newspaper is published, which is the official print organ of the Preobrazhenskaya diocese in Novosibirsk.

Periodicals also exist among Catholic monastic orders. So, the Franciscans publish the magazine "Brother Sun". The Salesian community publishes two magazines at once. Since September 2010, the publishing house " White stone began publishing a new Catholic magazine, House of the Immaculate Heart.

As a rule, periodicals are not of a large-scale nature and are distributed either in parish communities or in specific parishes sponsored by various monastic congregations.

The Roman Catholic Church in Russia also has its own TV channel (Diocese of Transfiguration) and radio. TV studio "Kana" was founded on February 2, 1996 on the initiative of Bishop Joseph Werth. The TV channel is intended not only for Catholics of the Preobrazhensky diocese, but also for Russian Catholic dioceses, as well as for Russian-speaking believers from other countries. The main task of the studio is the release of the "Video magazine" dedicated to the life of the Catholic Church in Russia (including Siberia and Far East), Kazakhstan and other former republics Soviet Union. The video magazine is distributed free of charge. Since September 2000, the studio "Kana" has been preparing the program "My Diocese", dedicated to the life of Catholics Western Siberia. IV Kana cooperates with a number of TV channels in Russia: MKS (Novosibirsk), OTV-TVC (St. Petersburg), broadcasting is carried out via satellite television.

Radio Maria also broadcasts on the territory of Russia. Part of the broadcast is devoted to Christian programs (Catholic and Orthodox), there are programs dedicated to culture, social programs, and music. The main goal of Radio Maria, which is presented in various cities of the world, is to bring the message of the Christian gospel to the listener through culture, art and history.

As noted above, the Roman Catholic Church in Russia was able to organize a number of educational institutions different levels. The main one is the Higher Theological Seminary "Mary - Queen of the Apostles". It was opened in 1992 in Moscow, and in 1995 it was transferred to St. Petersburg. In addition to the aforementioned theological school in St. Petersburg, there is a pre-seminary in Novosibirsk.

On November 9, 1991, St. Thomas Aquinas College of Catholic Theology was opened in Moscow. The number of students of the first set is 150 people. Since 2003 this educational institution operated as the Institute of Philosophy, Theology and History of St. Thomas, and more recently the Institute of St. Thomas - a non-state educational institution of additional professional education that offers services for professional retraining and professional development. In 1997, the institute was taken over by the Society of Jesus, which almost from the very beginning of its foundation was engaged in teaching and educational activities in schools and universities.

In Novosibirsk, since 1995, there has been a Franciscan Catholic school of the Nativity of Christ. The principal of the school is Father Corrado Trabucchi. Currently, the school has been certified three times (in 2002, 2004, 2009) at the primary level. Con-

The concept of the school is clear and concise: "Man-Freedom-Love-Family". It is for primary school students only. Has an educational license, teaches mainly professional educators. Support is provided to children from difficult and low-income families. Holidays are held, performances are organized with the participation of children and adults.

Since 1993, there has been a Catholic gymnasium in the city of Tomsk, which is engaged in general education from the 1st to the 11th grade. Admission to the gymnasium is conducted regardless of religion, nationality and social status. Children from single-parent, low-income, large and guardian families study there as well.

In the Leningrad Region, the Salesians opened the Don Bosco center in the city of Gatchina. Founded in December 1992, registered in April 1993, began classes on September 1, 1993. At the moment, the center consists of several parts, the main of which is an educational institution (School of NGO-SPO "Education"). This is a polygraphic lyceum and Primary School business.

This institution made it possible to obtain a complete secondary education and primary professional education. In 2012, the educational institution was reorganized into a center for additional education and is currently implementing several educational programs for children and adults.

Summing up the above, it should be noted that even such a brief and incomplete review clearly demonstrates that during the period that has passed since the change in the position of religious organizations in Russia, the Roman Catholic Church has managed to develop a full-fledged activity similar to how it is organized in other countries. Despite the fact that some projects turned out to be inconsistent and, due to a number of reasons, they had to be closed or transferred to another format, we can talk about the organization of a systematic and extensive extra-liturgical activity in different directions public life. This in many ways becomes a conductor of the political influence of the Catholic Church.

LITERATURE

Borisov A. Catholic monasticism today // bogoslov.ru. URL: http://www.bogoslov.ru/text/304258.html.

Vasilyeva O.Yu., Trofimchuk N.A. History of religions in Russia. Textbook. Edition 2 add. ed. M.: RAGS, 2004.

Orlova L. Journalism of voluntary minimalism. What do the Catholics of Russia read, listen to and watch // Religare.ru portal. URL: http://www.religare.ru/2_73786.html.

Portal of the Dominican Order in Russia. URL: http://praedicatores.ru.

Portal of the Jesuit Order in Russia. URL: http://www.jesuit.ru

Portal of the Catholic Gymnasium. URL: catholicgymnasium.ru

Website of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Russia. URL: http://catholic-russia.ru.

Salesian Center. Don Bosco. URL: http://www.donboscogatchina.ru

Franciscan portal "Peace and goodness". URL: http://www.francis.ru/index.php/frantsiskantsy-v-rossii/monastyri.

PUBLIC PROJECTS OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN RUSSIA

The Department of State-Confessional Relations The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

Vernadskogoprosp., 82/1, Moscow, Russia, 119571

The article analyzes some features of non-liturgical activity of Catholic Church, which are related to the arrangement and the occupation of catholic orders, to the arrangement of laity's association, to publishing and educational activities.

Key words: Catholic Church, soft power, public projects.

Borisov A. Katolicheskoe monashestvo segodnja. bogoslov.ru. URL: http://www.bogoslov.ru/text/304258.html.

Vasil "eva O.Ju., Trofimchuk N.A. Istorija religij v Rossii. Uchebnik. Izdanie 2nd dop. izd. M .: RAGS, 2004.

Orlova L. Zhurnalistika dobrovol "nogo minimalizma. Chto chitajut, slushajut i smotrjat kato-liki Rossii. Portal religare.ru. URL: http://www.religare.ru/2_73786.html.

Portal ordena dominikancev v Russia. URL: http://praedicatores.ru.

Portal ordena iezuitov v Russia. URL: http://www.jesuit.ru

Portal katolicheskoj gimnazii. URL: catholicgymnasium.ru

Sajt Konferencii Katolicheskih episkopov Rossii. URL: http://catholic-russia.ru.

Salesian center im. Dona Bosko. URL: http://www.donboscogatchina.ru

Franciscan portal Mir i dobro. URL: http://www.francis.ru/index.php/frantsiskantsy-v-rossii/monastyri.

Entered the Faculty of Geography of the Leningrad State University after graduating high school in Leningrad in 1980. In 1981 he began to study landscape science under the guidance of prof. A.G. Isachenko. In 1985 he graduated from the faculty of the Department of Physical Geography. Here in 1985-1988. studied in graduate school.

The scientific adviser during the postgraduate years was prof. V.S. Zhekulin. After defending his PhD thesis, from November 1988 he worked as an assistant at the Department of Physical Geography of the Faculty of Geography and Geoecology state university, since April 1991 - Senior Lecturer. In April 1993 he was elected Associate Professor of the Department of Physical and Evolutionary Geography. The academic title of Associate Professor in the Department of Physical and Evolutionary Geography was awarded in 1994. In the period 1998-2000. worked as assistant dean for scientific work. In January 2002, he was elected professor of the Department of Physical and Evolutionary Geography. Since October 2002 he has been the head of the department.

Member of the Academic Council of St. Petersburg State University, Academic Council of the Faculty of Geography and Geoecology of St. Petersburg State University, Chairman of the Scientific Commission of the Academic Council of the Faculty of Geography and Geoecology, Chairman of the Dissertation Council D212.232.64

Reads the lecture course "Landscape science and physical-geographical zoning", "History and methodology of geographical science" to students and post-graduate students of the Faculty of Geography and Geoecology.

Since 1979 he has been a full member of the Geographical Society of the USSR. Since 1995, he has been repeatedly elected a member of the Academic Council of the Russian Geographical Society. In 2005 he was elected Vice-President of the Russian Geographical Society.

The main issues of scientific research are the issues of historical geography, dynamic landscape science and paleogeography of the mountainous regions of Altai-Sayan and Inner Asia, the North Caucasus, namely the dynamics of mountain glaciation and related lakes, geocryological phenomena, mountain forests and steppes, desertification processes. He has extensive experience in expeditionary research and monitoring observations in the mountains, in areas poorly provided with regime observations. Manages grants from the Russian Foundation fundamental research and other scientific projects.

PhD thesis: "Seasonal Dynamics Analysis for Modeling Landscape Changes in the Inner Mountain Depressions of the Central Altai", defended at Leningrad University in 1988. Doctoral dissertation on "Landscapes of Inner Asia: dynamics, history and use" Petersburg University.

The main results of the research are related to the use of dendroindication, palynological and archeological and historical data for the reconstruction of the history of climate and landscapes, assessment of their stability at the present stage of the history of their dynamics and human development. In the course of the work, landscape maps and zoning schemes for a number of regions of the Altai-Sayan were compiled, catalogs of glaciers were recompiled and refined, new data were obtained on the Pleistocene and Holocene history of the landscapes of the northwestern periphery of Inner Asia.

The main scientific views were formed under the influence of several scientific schools Leningrad University, first of all - landscape (prof. A.G. Isachenko), historical and geographical (prof. V.S. Zhekulin) and geomorphological (prof. Yu.P. Seliverstov).

The total number of publications -- 76, incl. 2 monographs.