'When a Shuttlecock is Flying at You, it's Impossible to Worry about Deadlines'

Lika Kapustina is in her fifth year of social studies and engages in research using technology that enables automated collection of data from open sources. In her interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, she recalls the nights spent working in the library, speaks about the Algorithm of Light, and reflects on how network analysis has influenced her.

How I Started in Science

I did not have a conscious desire to pursue science. Instead, I was interested in participating in scientific projects. For my summer internship, I aimed to secure a placement with the International Laboratory for Applied Network Research and contacted its director, Daria Maltseva. She told me that they were engaged in a project, supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation, to study collaboration patterns within the Russian sociological community. The project's second year was just starting, and I immediately joined in. I spent the next few months working with data.

We sourced data for our analysis of Russian sociologists’ collaboration patterns from the eLibrary using the API. There were primarily three of us working on the project. We wrote code in Python and then commuted to the office to use the corporate Wi-Fi for downloading data, which took a long time. Therefore, from June to July 2022, I spent numerous nights at the library, downloading thousands of observations on academic papers authored by Russian sociologists.

We detected an increase in co-authored papers over the years, indicating that the Russian sociological community has attained a certain level of maturity in its practices of scientific knowledge generation. We identified a distinct category of active authors and several subgroups of authors engaged in intensive collaboration. However, the majority of sociology papers in Russia are still authored by a single individual. We achieved significant progress in this project in terms of research methodology, particularly in handling bibliometric data. What I have described is only a portion of our results.

How I Learned Python

'Political Science' offers an analytical track featuring advanced courses in statistics and data analysis. In the third year, we were scheduled to study Python, and I decided to prepare in advance and to master this programming language. I had independently started learning Python during the preceding summer, which allowed me to adapt well when the classes began. Moreover, beginning this year, I have been teaching Python at HSE University. My initial experience teaching it was somewhat stressful, as the course was conducted in English for an online master's programme. However, in 2024, I will begin teaching Python as part of the 'Political Science' programme, which I earlier graduated from.

I will also be teaching a course of my own design focused on using Python for independent collection and processing of data from open sources. For instance, one can write code to access the VKontakte API, gather data, and subsequently analyse and use it for social, academic, and other research purposes. I look forward to sharing my skills with bachelor's students so they can independently gather data from open sources and apply it to their projects, term papers, and theses, much like I do today.

What else I Engage in

In my fourth year, I became involved in social and legal research. My bachelor's thesis was devoted to administrative court cases. I read approximately 200 texts of court rulings and, drawing from them, developed a set of functions to facilitate automated data extraction regarding court decisions, including whether the person was found guilty, the type and amount of penalty, and any socio-demographic characteristics of the accused mentioned in the text. My analysis of the cases revealed a notable distinction based on the gender of the judge, as female judges tend to impose more lenient sentences. Conversely, the gender of the accused has minimal impact, with both women and men receiving similar sentences under similar circumstances.

I became interested in law enforcement research after seeing a study by Svetlana Zhuchkova who works at the Institute of Education. Entitled 'Algorithm of Light,' the study is based on public data from the 'Justice' State Information System. Having analysed sentencing data between 2011 to 2019, she found that the proportion of women killed as a result of domestic violence was as high as 66% of all female victims of homicide. The data was collected and processed using web scraping and text mining technologies. The texts of court decisions are fairly standard and repetitive. For instance, phrases like 'found guilty,' 'found not guilty,' or 'case dismissed due to...' are readily identifiable within such texts. One can write Python functions with regularly used expressions to search for specific strings and extract tabular data related to a particular case along with associated details. This data can then be analysed using quantitative data analysis methods.

Last August, Svetlana and I met and agreed that I would write my master's thesis with her as part of their collaborative project with Anton Kazun, director of the International Centre for the Study of Institutions and Development (ICSID). I am delighted to find other researchers at HSE University who share an interest in quantitative research on law enforcement, and I am enthusiastic about my research project.

What My Master's Thesis will Be About

In Russia, there is a Higher Qualification Board of Judges at the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and regional qualification boards of judges. These bodies of the judicial community issue reasoned decisions concerning judges. For example, they review applications from individuals seeking the position of a judge and determine whether to recommend them for the position based on the results of the applicant’s qualification exam. These boards also render decisions regarding a judge’s suspension, assignment of qualification class, and other related matters.

My research will be focused on the career trajectories of Russian judges. I have a sense that we lack sufficient knowledge regarding the career paths of judges and the variations among them. Thus far, I have come across one study that uses data from a limited timeframe to analyse which candidates have a higher likelihood of being recommended for judicial appointment by a regional qualification board. The study, conducted by the Institute for the Rule of Law at the European University in Saint-Petersburg, is entitled 'Sources of Judiciary Cadres and the Role of Court Apparatus.'

The researchers discovered that the most likely candidates (96%) to be recommended by the board for the position of a judge are current members of a court's staff nominated by the president of the court. In contrast, law enforcement officers have a much lower likelihood of being recommended (about 50%), while attorneys and lawyers from non-governmental bodies have below-average chances. Moreover, the experience and history of attorney practice are considered a disadvantage, decreasing one's chances of being appointed to the position of a judge.

Using web scraping and Python, I have already downloaded all the decisions of the Higher Qualification Board of Judges since 2011. I have discovered 10,809 distinct decisions made over this period, providing me with a substantial dataset to process and extract the personal characteristics of at least a portion of Russian judges, including information on their education, qualification class, disciplinary history, and more. Moreover, there exists a substantial body of research on how judges' personal details influence the decisions they render. In this context, the impact of socio-demographic characteristics has been extensively studied, whereas the influence of professional background has received less attention by far. Therefore, in the future, I intend to use the data I am collecting and processing this year to find out more on the impact of judges' professional backgrounds on their decisions. I believe that this is essential knowledge for society. When you come into contact with the legal system, you want to understand the factors that influence the decisions of those responsible for enforcing the law.

What Results and Achievements I Take Pride in

I take pride in the fact that within a relatively short period, I have become deeply involved in science at HSE University. It has only been a year and a half since I joined our project at the laboratory. The code that my colleagues and I developed together has been officially registered as an RIA (Result of Intellectual Activity). We have authored three methodology papers based on the results of this work, set for publication in late 2023 to early 2024.

My second achievement is associated with my bachelor's thesis: I independently gathered and pre-processed the data and wrote a substantial amount of code, which was a significant challenge. I am particularly proud that not only was the paper defended with the highest possible score, but it also secured second place in the 2023 Student Research Paper Competition in the Political Science category for master's students and graduates.

The third accomplishment I take pride in is being admitted to the Combined Master's-PhD track. Within five days, I submitted an application, wrote a Research Proposal from scratch, and am now studying alongside doctoral students at the Doctoral School of Political Science, gaining exciting new knowledge.

My Dream

To extract insights from data that has never been analysed—or could not have been analysed before, where such knowledge is so crucial that it could potentially form the foundation of social policies, for instance.

How Network Analysis Changed Me

Since I began conducting network analysis, my mindset has changed. Now, I primarily consider social interactions within the context of networks. Even when meeting someone new, I start searching for common acquaintances—one can easily see how it's really a small world when it comes to social connections.

I am active in student self-government bodies and engage with local ombudsmen—as of December 2023, there are 42 advocates for students' rights. When I first embarked on this project, it was fascinating to consider how my position within the broader network of HSE students evolved. In theory, it would be possible to construct a network based on acquaintances among students. Initially, I would be within a cluster of nodes (students) from my own faculty, but with each new acquaintance, my position in the network would become more central. This is, of course, a theoretical description, but in real life, I also observe the influence of my expanding network: I gain better access to interesting and relevant information, stay updated on the latest news, and can leverage these connections for educational and professional purposes.

If I hadn't Become a Scientist

I had the opportunity in my life to pursue a professional career in music. Throughout middle school, I didn't even consider higher education; instead, my dream was to escape to a music college because I disliked my school. However, life took a different turn.

I have always merged various interests and professional fields. In middle school, it was saxophone and piano, while in high school, I participated in Olympiads in art history and social studies. At university, I first engaged into the study of political science, and later on, Python, data analysis, and social and legal research became part of my life. 

If I hadn't pursued science, I would probably be involved in social activism. Working for non-profit organisations is truly important and aimed at benefiting society. I believe people work there for similar reasons as students join student self-government bodies—because you can witness the results of your efforts and observe how you are helping others here and now.

Scientists I would Like to Meet

I believe one of my great aspirations has already come true—I met Svetlana Zhuchkova, whose study inspired me to pursue social and legal research, and now I have the privilege of working with her as my academic supervisor.

Next, I would like to meet the researchers from the Institute for the Rule of Law at the European University in St. Petersburg—I often read their books and papers but would love to have the opportunity to personally communicate with the authors of such interesting research. This year, I was selected to attend the Empirical Legal Studies school at the Institute for the Rule of Law and will be heading there in February to fulfil this dream of mine.

My Typical Day

Typically, I wake up, review the day's agenda in my diary, and either attend classes followed by staying to work at HSE University, or begin my morning by settling into work at a coworking space or office. I typically finish work around 11:00 PM, by which time the building in Myasnitskaya and some of the exits in the building in Pokrovka have closed. I leave the University and head home in a half-empty metro car.

I have Not Experienced Burnout, but…

I have faced depression. What helps me? I have a very supportive environment around me. I genuinely like the laboratory staff, the management, and I have a community of like-minded people in the student council, along with supportive friends and parents.

I also benefit from the beliefs and skills I acquired through cognitive behavioural therapy. Planning the day around my personal needs seemed unusual to me before but now appears fundamental. I schedule time off and social gatherings with friends in advance while avoiding taking on too much work. HSE University offers an abundance of opportunities, but the key is not to overcommit.

I have limited experience as a teacher but ample experience as a teaching assistant. Here, it seems to me, I made every possible mistake: I responded to students immediately, even at night, emotionally invested in my responses, and internally reacted strongly to their answers. Moreover, when you work as an assistant or teacher, there is a significant risk of developing impostor syndrome, especially when you are young and find it challenging to assess individuals who are older than you. I have fallen into various traps, but now I can approach building my life with more calmness and thoughtfulness.

My Interests besides Science

I spend a significant amount of time with like-minded individuals in the student council and engage in work related to local ombudsmen and promoting student advocacy at HSE University. This activity consumes time but energises me, because I am surrounded by people who share my values.

I enjoy spending time with friends and engaging in sports. As a child, I played badminton a bit, and this year I decided to give it another try. Now I attend badminton practice 2 or 3 times a week. Although I get tired in the middle of a training session, the game still invigorates me and provides a break from work. When a shuttlecock is flying at you, it's impossible to worry about deadlines.

What I have been Reading and Watching

Recently, I have been reading publications of the Institute for the Rule of Law. They have published a series of sociological studies on professions such as lawyers, judges, and criminal investigators. Currently, I am reading a book on lawyers, and afterward, I will start reading one on investigators.

Of course, I occasionally watch films and TV shows that feature trials and criminal investigations. For example, my favourite TV show as a child was 'The investigation was conducted ...' with Leonid Kanevsky. I play Sports Mafia with my friends and often watch YouTube videos of professionals playing the game. One day, I would like to be as good as they are at analysing other people's behaviour.

My Favourite Place in Moscow

The area around the Park Kultury metro station. I spent a significant amount of time at the Centre for Pedagogical Excellence, located there, as I was preparing for Olympiads in school grades 10 and 11. A memorable and exiting place where I invested a great deal of time and energy. I still visit places around Park Kultury from time to time for my sports practice or to meet with friends. A favourite local spot is LES, a coffee shop.