SAS Summer School — 2026

The School of Advanced Studies (SAS) welcomes 8th, 9th, and 10th-grade students to join fee-based summer school, Endless Futures and Human Limitations, taking place from June 15 to 19, 2026. The participation fee is 15,000 rubles.

summer school theme

Salvador Dali, Suburbs of a Paranoiac Critical Town, Afternoon on the Outskirts of European History, 1936.

Liminal spaces are special points of transition where the perception of time, space, and oneself changes. The term comes from the Latin limen — "threshold:" such places and states are literally on the threshold — between "was" and "will be," between home and the road, between childhood and adulthood. These are not just empty corridors, train stations or moments of waiting — these are whole worlds in which familiar landmarks are blurred and familiar sensations are transformed.

You've probably been in similar situations more than once: we stood on the platform waiting for the train and felt a strange feeling of "hanging" in time, walked through an empty school corridor after lessons, when a familiar place suddenly seemed strange and mysterious, waited in the airport lounge, feeling like we were somewhere "in between" — no longer where we came from, but not yet here, where we got there, experienced moments of life change — before the first day at a new school, after an important decision, during the period when you realize that "you are no longer a child, but not yet an adult."

Through studying liminal spaces, we will be able to better understand why some places cause anxiety or nostalgia, how art — cinema, photography, literature — uses images of transitions to convey complex emotions, and what happens to our consciousness during periods of uncertainty. These studies will help us see the familiar in a new way: to understand the structure of transit zones and to understand that moments of uncertainty are not just a pause, but an important part of growth and discovery, a source of inspiration and new ideas.

what we are offering

Under the guidance of SAS professors, most of whom have received their PhD from the world's leading universities, the participants of the event will consider the topic through the prism of various scientific disciplines.

Our goal is to show students liminal spaces as a scientific phenomenon, as a method of exploring human nature and social phenomena. We use various educational formats in the program: seminars, practical exercises, group projects, discussions, guided tours of Tyumen and creative exercises. This way, participants will not only be able to better understand the concept of liminality, but also question established ideas about it, analyze personal and collective experiences, and reconsider the role of this phenomenon in their lives and in the life of the community.

Information in this section might be updated.

who is delivering

The summer school is hosted by the entire SAS community: international faculty, students and administration. They developed an intensive five-day program and worked out in detail activities aimed at investigating the phenomenon of liminality. It does not limit itself to reviewing the popular Internet aesthetics that gained popularity in 2019, but encourages critical reflection on the phenomena of transition, melancholy, anxiety, and calm that are associated with this popular term.

Inspirer of this Summer School is SAS graduate and manager Anatolii Stepanov.

how to apply

• We are delighted to invite school students graduating either from 8th, 9th, or 10th grade in 2026.
• The summer school is held in English and Russian. To get the most out of the program, we recommend that participants know English at a good level — No lower than B1.

• The Summer School participation fee is 15 000 rubles,which covers the full academic program and meals. Accommodation is not included in this fee. Participants coming from outside Tyumen are responsible for arranging their own lodging. The organizers are happy to offer recommendations and advice on nearby hotels.

• All Participants will receive a certificate confirming their successful completion of the extra-curricular educational program.

instruction

• Fill out the registration form before 5th of June, 23:59 Tyumen time (UTC+5).
• While filling out the form, be ready to answer the following question:

  Recall a moment you were in a liminal space - whether it was an empty train station, a long flight, or a period of uncertainty in your life. What emotions and thoughts did it evoke in you? Choose two or three references from culture (a filmshot/scene, a line from a poem, a photograph) that convey a similar feeling.

• Be sure that you wrote the correct email address in the form. We will write to you to discuss your participation in the Summer School and answer your questions.
• In case of successful selection, you will receive an official letter containing all the necessary instructions, including information about payment and receipt of a certificate of participation in the SAS Summer School.

venue

The Summer School takes place in the building of the School for Advanced Studies, a distinctive space designed for deep intellectual engagement. Its blend of openness and intimacy creates an environment where ideas flow freely, fostering both connection and personal reflection. More than just a setting for classes, the building cultivates a vibrant atmosphere where diverse perspectives and discussions come to life.

SAS is located in the heart of Tyumen’s charming historical center, surrounded by cafés, restaurants—an ideal backdrop for both contemplation and lively conversation.