From August 11 to 15, 2025, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MSUPE) hosted the ISCAR 2025 International Summer University for graduate students and young researchers, titled "Practices Based on Cultural-Historical Psychology and Activity Theory."

Specialists from Brazil, South Africa, Armenia, Senegal, Belarus, India, and Russia participated in the intensive program of ISCAR 2025 over several days.

On the first day, presentations were delivered by:

• Vitaly Rubtsov, President of MSUPE
• Prof. Adolfo Tanzi Neto (Brazil), Vice President of ISCAR
• Andrey Maydansky, Professor at the UNESCO Chair "Cultural-Historical Psychology of Childhood," MSUPE
• Viktor Zaretsky, Professor at the Department of Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Faculty of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, MSUPE
• Olga Rubtsova, Head of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Modern Childhood, MSUPE
• Anna Shvedovskaya, Associate Professor at the Department of Developmental Psychology named after Professor L.F. Obukhova, Faculty of Educational Psychology, MSUPE

The experts' presentations focused on:

• Educational technologies based on the activity approach
• Sociocultural approaches to social transformations
• Modern interpretations of concepts such as "internalization" and "zone of proximal development"
• "Experience" and "drama" in the context of cultural-historical psychology (CHAT)
• An overview of research developments in BRICS+ countries

In the following days, international and Russian specialists shared their research findings and practical applications of cultural-historical theory and the activity approach.

According to Sergey Kosaretsky, Vice-Rector for Research at MSUPE and Coordinator of the ISCAR Regional Section "Russia and Neighboring Countries," the success of the Summer University confirmed MSUPE's key role as a leading hub for followers of cultural-historical psychology in Russia, a coordinator of the ISCAR regional section "Russia and Friendly Neighboring Countries," and a provider of CHAT legacy and cutting-edge research in the global ISCAR context:

"The implementation of the Summer University's program and the ISCAR Regional Section has strengthened the prestige of Russian psychological science, enhanced MSUPE's reputation, and fostered partnerships with universities in Belarus, Brazil, India, South Africa, and Armenia. The event laid a solid foundation for ambitious joint scientific and educational initiatives within BRICS in the coming years."

In addition to the academic program, participants visited:

• The Federal Resource Center for Comprehensive Support of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (FRC ASD MSUPE)
• The National Center "Russia"
• The grave of L.S. Vygotsky
• Historical sites of Moscow and a boat tour on the Moskva River.

"We are delighted to host international guests at MSUPE. Participants had a unique opportunity to present their work to colleagues from different countries and receive feedback not only from leading MSUPE professors and globally renowned scholars but also from each other. This format facilitated rich discussions and broadened professional horizons.

The Summer University was also complemented by an extensive cultural program. Guests explored Moscow's iconic landmarks, visited Russia's newest exhibition center, and paid tribute at the grave of the outstanding Russian psychologist L.S. Vygotsky."

— Elizaveta Mikhedova, Head of the International Relations Office, MSUPE

A Resolution was adopted following the Summer University’s proceedings.