A graduate student of the Institute of Philosophy and Law at NSU became a scholarship holder named after A. A. Sobchak

Yulia Polyakova, second-year master’s student Institute of Philosophy and Law of Novosibirsk State University (IFP NSU), became one of the ten scholarship recipients named after A.A. Sobchak across Russia. The scholarship is awarded to students and postgraduate students who have significant achievements in the field of jurisprudence. The scholarship amount is 15,000 rubles per month, paid from September 1, 2026, for 12 months.

We spoke with Yulia Polyakova and learned that the victory was a complete surprise for her, what achievements helped her attain it, and why she chose the Law Faculty of NSU for her legal education.

— Tell us, what did you feel when you learned that you had become a Sobchak Scholarship recipient? Was it expected?

— I found out that I had become a Sobchak Scholarship recipient at a very significant moment for me. I was on a short vacation, finally after a long time I came home, surrounded by family, close ones, and friends. And quite unexpectedly, a girl from the Career Development Center wrote to me: “I have very wonderful news for you.” It was crazy, wonderful news. An amazing surprise because I knew that only ten people across Russia were selected. I applied thinking that most likely I would not pass; it seemed to me that I didn’t have many achievements. And this was one of those cases where I decided just to try—and suddenly it worked out. This means a lot to me: sometimes it’s really worth just trying.

— What does this scholarship mean to you? Is it financial support or recognition of your achievements?

— The scholarship is incredibly important to me because it is awarded to students who have distinguished themselves with achievements in the field of jurisprudence. I am extremely grateful that I chose this profession after all, I enjoy practicing jurisprudence both in work and scientific activities, and I have a number of achievements I am proud of. This is undoubtedly a recognition of my merits. What will I spend it on? I am a fairly thrifty person, I just try to save money for something necessary in the future.

— Why did you choose the Institute of Law at NSU to obtain your legal education?

— First of all, this was a great and wise piece of advice from my mother when I was just applying. Later, I did not regret it at all. I believe that the Institute of Philosophy and Law at NSU really has a good professional teaching staff. And our university itself is called a research university for a reason: it lays certain competencies and contributes to the development of qualities of a research scientist. It is precisely thanks to NSU and our teachers that I learned to write scientific articles, conduct research, and realized that this is important and interesting to me. In addition, our university’s legal education is highly valued in Novosibirsk, the Novosibirsk region, and other regions of Russia.

– Please tell us about the portfolio you submitted for the competition.

— My portfolio mostly included scientific achievements: articles in journals from the HAC list and a publication in the collection of the International Scientific Student Conference (ISSC). Currently, I am mainly engaged in scientific activities. Previously, I also participated in competitions, but with entering graduate school and starting work in my profession, it became more difficult. I hope to be able to manage more in the future.

— What do you think was the very “trump card” that convinced the selection committee?

— Most of my achievements are scientific articles specifically listed in the Higher Attestation Commission (VAK) registry. These were not just publications presented at some conferences. When applying for a scholarship competition, you need to emphasize not only the quantity of your achievements but also their quality.

— Tell us more about the topic of your scientific work. What problem are you currently working on?

— I am very interested in the issues of legal regulation of assisted reproductive technologies, including issues related to human embryos. This was the topic of my scientific research within the framework of the International Scientific Student Conference in 2025. I mentioned this publication as one of the achievements in my application for the Sobchak scholarship. I specialize more in criminal law, so in this rather broad issue, I considered the prospects of criminal law protection of human embryos.

— What are your plans for the coming year?

— I will continue to write scientific articles in legal journals on topics that interest me and try to actively participate in conferences. But right now, my primary focus is on working in the legal profession.

— A few words for a quick round. What’s your favorite place at NSU?

— The inner courtyard.

— A book on jurisprudence that inspires you, and why?

— A collection of quotes by Anatoly Fyodorovich Koni. For a lawyer, it is very important to be able to speak publicly and confidently. A. F. Koni is a role model for me, an example of a good, successful lawyer whose statements are standards for many lawyers in our country.

— If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you have been?

— I think I would have been a journalist. I used to do poetry and was the editor of my class magazine. During school, I dreamed of becoming a journalist, but then fate took a different turn.

Reference: The A.A. Sobchak Named Scholarship was established by the Government of the Russian Federation to support talented students and graduate students studying legal specialties and having significant achievements in the field of jurisprudence. Every year, ten scholarship recipients are appointed throughout Russia. The competitive selection is conducted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.