Tatyana Chernigovskaya: "Science is a true detective investigation"

Science is an exceptionally fascinating pursuit — it cannot be boring. It is a true detective investigation: gathering facts and clues, then trying to understand what they mean. This was stated on 30 October at the National Centre RUSSIA during the Znanie.Science educational marathon by Doctor of Biological and Philological Sciences, Professor, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies of St Petersburg State University, and Academician of the Russian Academy of Education Tatyana Chernigovskaya.

"As a scientist and lecturer at St Petersburg University, I often wonder why not everyone engages in science. After all, it is, in essence, a detective investigation: you collect facts and clues and try to understand what they mean. Science cannot be boring — it is an endlessly captivating process," said Tatyana Chernigovskaya.

She noted that it is impossible to remain indifferent to this field, as there are countless areas where future scientists can find their calling. According to her, her mission is to "infect" the younger generation with curiosity and the desire to explore the unknown.

"Why is it so fascinating to do science? There are always thousands of unanswered questions, and the search for them is endlessly exciting. For example, do artificial neural networks, like deep seek, possess cognitive abilities? Do they truly think or merely iterate through options? This is a complex, even daunting question that the world’s greatest minds are pondering. And if they do develop cognition — how will we know? What if they begin to think and make decisions rather than simply imitate the process? How will we tell the difference?" she said.

The educational marathon Znanie.Science brings together more than 5,000 schoolchildren, students and young scientists — winners of national contests from 80 regions of Russia and Abkhazia. The project demonstrates the importance of science for all spheres of human activity — from industry to art and culture. Through interaction with leading lecturers, participants learn how scientific discoveries expand human potential and what opportunities science offers to young people.

The marathon is organised by the Russian society "Znanie" and the Moscow Polytechnic University with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The event is held as part of the Decade of Science and Technology.