'When Driven by Your Own Genuine Interest, You Will Dedicate More Time, Attention, and Energy to Your Scientific Work'

Polina Osipova initially studied law before shifting her focus to the sociology of law and sports. Alongside her academic work, she is also involved in organisational activities. In this interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, she discusses her expeditions to North Ossetia, Moral Time by Donald Black, and the Gavrikov Ponds in Southern Butovo.

How I Started in Science

When I enrolled in the Faculty of Law, I initially thought that legal scholars dealt with boring topics. I planned to become a practicing lawyer—attending court hearings, handling contracts, and working in legal consulting. However, my academic supervisor Vladimir Churakov took an interest in my term paper and wanted to ensure that I produced high-quality research, which I found enjoyable.

He was working at one of the institutes within the Faculty of Law, and at that time, I became interested in their institute's work. During the third module of my first year, Dr Churakov informed us that the institute was opening three positions for students. Two of my classmates and I decided to give it a try. It was at the start of the COVID pandemic when everything shut down and classes moved online. While continuing our studies, we completed a test assignment—and were accepted.

At the institute, we conducted applied research but were also encouraged to explore fundamental science. Together with a friend from the Faculty of Computer Science, we worked on developing a model based on ChatGPT-3. At that time, it wasn't publicly available, so we submitted a request to OpenAI.

We then worked at the Laboratory for Litigation Data Analysis (which existed for less than a year), where we focused on complex systems in jurisprudence, as well as an applied study on the distribution of the workload among judges.

My interest gradually shifted from law and technology, as well as applied research, toward fundamental science.

Changing My Trajectory

To dedicate more time to research, I left my job at the laboratory and initially wasn’t planning to seek employment immediately. Then the annual recruitment for laboratories began, and I decided not to wait a whole year. I thought I would try to find a new job and explore other fields, especially since there are virtually no discipline restrictions at HSE University. As a lawyer, you can pursue opportunities in any area you choose.

I've always loved sports—participating in them, watching them, and being a fan. I submitted my resume to the Laboratory of Sports Studies, though I was afraid they might not accept me since they mostly hired economists. But they hired me, and I really enjoyed it there. I still work there, despite having a legal background, and am currently studying to become a sociologist.

In addition, I was very interested in the sociology of law from the very beginning, and even in my first year, I realised I was moving away from the traditional path of a lawyer. At the end of my third year, I decided to take a chance and change my trajectory. I successfully enrolled in the Master's Programme in Complex Social Analysis at the Faculty of Computer Science, and I'm pleased with that decision. I plan to enrol in a doctoral programme and continue studying the sociology of law.

The Subject of My Research

I focus on two areas of research. One area is related to sports—initially, it was mostly the economics of sports, but now, hopefully, I will be able to study the sociology of sports.

Our project at the laboratory focuses on the impact of sports infrastructure on economic development, particularly on real estate prices.

The other area is the sociology of law, or more specifically, the topic I study in the master's programme: the social determinants of the everyday choices people make in relation to the law. It's about how people rely on the law and choose to use it, and in which cases they decide to handle things on their own—whether by making peace or resolving conflicts through force without involving the police.

Expeditions to North Ossetia

The expeditions I participated in are partly related to this topic. We travelled to Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, three times. This is a very interesting and unique region, a republic in the Caucasus, where many legal phenomena are more pronounced than in Central Russia.

For example, many informal legal institutions have been preserved there, such as the inheritance of parental property by the youngest son (since he bears the responsibility of caring for the parents) and bride kidnapping. While bride kidnapping may sound alarming, in most cases today it is done with mutual consent, often as a way to save on wedding expenses. Sometimes, the bride even waits outside with her suitcase, as agreed.

During our expeditions, we often conducted street interviews, approaching people and asking them to talk. Another advantage of the region is that the Ossetians are very open and hospitable.

Informal institutions have been preserved, in part, because traditions have been adapted. In the last century, the republic experienced rapid urbanisation as people moved from villages to Vladikavkaz, leaving little space for traditional celebrations. You can't set a table for a hundred guests in an urban apartment. They found a solution: khadzars, one-story, elongated buildings with long tables inside, began to be built in the courtyards of apartment buildings. Weddings are hosted there, traditional holidays are celebrated, and older men simply spend time there.

What I Take Pride In

When I enrolled in the Faculty of Social Sciences, a winter school was organised for applicants, where we participated in project-based activities. Under the supervision of Oxana Mikhaylova, we conducted a training project. We then continued with the project as the same team of future fellow students. For about a year, we studied children's autonomy in taking care of their health, both psychological and physical. Based on the results of the project, an article was published in an A-list journal, and a second one was recently accepted for publication.

My Dreams

I enjoy the sociology of law, and I would like our expedition team to function beyond field trips, so that the process of institutionalisation can begin, allowing us to continue joint research, explore related topics, and support and enrich each other. Hosting sessions at conferences and producing our own journal on the sociology of law—that's my dream. Currently, we organise open seminars where we gather to discuss the articles we've read, share our results, and any researcher is welcome to attend, listen, or join us. This is all a step toward turning it into something more.

If I Hadn't Become a Scientist

I could be an event manager. Alongside my research, I work at the Centre for Student Academic Development, where I primarily organise events, communities, and similar activities. Perhaps that’s why I am striving to institutionalise the work of our team.

Scientists I Would Like to Meet

In many of my studies, I draw on the theoretical concepts of Donald Black. He studied the organisation of social space: how people interact with one another, what drives them to seek recourse to the law, and what does not. He developed an interesting concept of multidimensional space. In his book Moral Time, he introduces three coordinates that can be used to measure the position of people in relation to one another. He refers to these coordinates as 'times,' which include relational time, vertical time, and cultural time. By using them, it is possible to predict whether or not the law will be applied.

If people are strangers, live far apart, or are from different countries, they are more likely to resort to the law. If a person kills a stranger, there is almost a 100% chance that the case will be reported to the police. However, if a son kills his father, the family may choose to cover it up. A lot depends on the initial positions people were in before committing the offence, and as a result, the law is engaged to varying extents.

This is a very interesting concept, and I would love to discuss it with Professor Black to understand why he chose the term 'time.' The metaphor is beautiful, but not entirely clear. In many projects, we use his theory and interpret it in our own way, but it would be interesting to know what he originally had in mind.

My Interests besides Science

I have a wide range of hobbies, and at different times, some come to the forefront while others get set aside. Among them are embroidery, knitting, jewellery making, watercolour painting, and drawing with a 3D pen. I also play the guitar and ukulele. I used to play football but recently stopped. Now, I practice sports sambo, and before that, I practiced aikido.

Advice for Aspiring Scientists

Pursue what truly interests you, not necessarily what your colleagues or academic supervisor suggest. When you're driven by your own genuine interest, it's easier to overcome obstacles, master more literature, discard hypotheses that were incorrect, and even start over from square one. You will dedicate more time, attention, and energy to your scientific work.

My Favourite Place in Moscow

The Gavrikov ponds in Southern Butovo. I have admired them in different seasons—weeping willows over the water in autumn or apple trees blooming in spring. The surrounding area is well-maintained, with many swings, benches, bridges, and mini waterfalls. One can enjoy walking or rollerblading there. In winter, the ponds freeze over, and children slide down the hills there.