About

Laboratory for Studies in Economic Sociology (LSES) was established in 2006.

LSES  is directed by Prof.,  Dr. Vadim Radaev (First Vice Rector of HSE).

Brochure about the Laboratory of Studies in Economic Sociology

The key mission of LSES is to develop theoretical perspectives in sociological study  of markets, to promote cutting edge sociological research of modern markets and, as a result, - New Economic Sociology in Russia.  

Research activity of LSES is based mostly on institutional approach and is aimed at investigating the socio-economic mechanisms of origin and development of markets and practices which reflect their social, institutional, cultural and political embededdness. The following markets have been in the focus of recent LSES research:financial markets, labor markets, educational markets, medical markets, markets for counterfeited goods, etc. Sociology of markets provides an integral theoretical framework for many different empirical research projects conducted at LSES.

LSES is built as an environment for communication, cooperation and idea-sharing. It unites professors, instructors, doctorate and master students, as well as undergraduates. Laboratory is organized as a ‘non-administrative vertical’ which is to spur up efficient sharing of experience and involvement in research of people with different academic backgrounds. One of the vital tasks for LSES is to attract students interested in academic careers and to provide them with the best possible opportunities to develop and succeed.

Every week LSES holds scientific workshops to discuss fundamental theoretical and methodological questions faced by the New Economic Sociology, the results of recent empirical research on consumer markets and project proposals of sociological studies of economy initiated by aspiring and established scholars from HSE and elsewhere.

LSES is devoted to several publishing projects since its inception. It supports the publication of E-Journal ’Economic Sociology‘ (in Russian). The journal is on the web since fall 2000 and is headed by the chief editor Prof. Vadim Radaev. The main objective of the journal is to introduce the results of the most recent studies in economic sociology and neighboring fields as well as relevant information on conferences, publications, etc. to scholars engaged in the enterprise of economic sociology. 'Economic Sociology' is a peer-reviewed journal issued bi-monthly (five issues annually).

In 2006 LSES initiated the publication of the Newsletter ‘ESForum‘ (in Russian). The key goal of the newsletter is to promote Economic Sociology as a rapidly developing and excitingly interesting research area.  Five issues of the Newsletter per year are available both in paper and on-line.  

LSES is based at the Sociology Department of Higher School of Economics and is engaged in educational activity. The majority of the researchers at the LSES are faculty of the Department of Sociology, which hosts one of the most profound degree programs in Economic Sociology in Russia. Researchers of the Laboratory also participate in the teaching board of the Master Program ‘Applied Methods of Social Analysis of Markets’ established in 2005. It is aimed at equipping students with knowledge and skills for analysis of consumer markets. Students are encouraged to combine the theoretical knowledge in the fields of economic theory and economic sociology with the contemporary methods of data analysis and applied skills of marketing research.