‘Sometimes a Student’s Question Will Spark a New Angle on a Problem I’ve Been Working on’
Nicolas Lagios joined the International College of Economics and Finance (ICEF) at HSE University–Moscow as an assistant professor in 2025. He holds a Master’s and a PhD in Economics and his research interests include political economy, cultural economics, and applied economics. In this interview, Nicolas talks about the qualities that make HSE students exceptional, the overlap between organisational psychology and his research, and why Moscow strikes the ideal work–life balance.
— Why did you decide to join ICEF in Moscow? How has it been so far?
— The decision to move to Moscow and join ICEF was both a professional and a personal one. Professionally, what attracted me to ICEF was the department’s research environment. From research funding to administration, everything is designed to simplify your life and allow you to focus on your research. In addition, the department has a good mix of senior and junior faculty, which makes it a very enjoyable place to work. The programme is also quite rigorous, so I was particularly attracted by the opportunity to teach bright students.
On the personal side, Moscow is truly an amazing city that I had the opportunity to visit several times before receiving an offer.
Moscow offers the right balance between a strong professional environment and a high quality of life
The first few weeks here were definitely challenging and wild! Between getting my marks and completing the administrative steps to finalise my work permit, I was running around left and right. But once you get into a routine and understand the metro labyrinth, the city becomes very enjoyable to explore. The department is also very vibrant, with many seminars and events, making it a very rich environment to be in.
I have also joined the HSE 5x5 Basketball League, where my team, The Dudes, are trying to make our place in the league.
— What do you enjoy most about teaching at HSE University?
— The students here are very intellectually curious, ambitious, analytically sharp, and hardworking. It is a pleasure to interact with them, as they ask very interesting questions and have excellent quantitative skills. It is always rewarding to teach students who have a genuine interest in the material and who are eager to learn. I am also very impressed by how much HSE students are involved in university life (the 5x5 basketball league is one example).
I have only been teaching for a few years, but I can confidently say that ICEF students are among the strongest I have encountered anywhere
The administrative team and the teaching assistants are very committed and have provided key support in helping me design the lectures and improve my teaching.
— How do you balance your teaching responsibilities with your research work and your involvement in interdisciplinary projects in organisational psychology?
— Honestly, it is not easy at all, especially in the first year, when you have to create your courses from scratch. It is an ongoing negotiation. I am trying to devote a specific number of days to research and a specific number of days in the week to teaching preparation, but it is not always easy, as there are always unexpected things coming up that force me to adapt my entire schedule.
One thing that helps is finding overlap between teaching and research. When I am teaching a topic that is close to my research interests, the preparation feeds directly into my thinking, and sometimes a student’s question will spark a new angle on a problem I have been working on. That kind of synergy is very helpful.
ICEF also does a good job of structuring the workload so that faculty have meaningful time for research. That institutional support makes a real difference
My work in organisational psychology complements my economics research by providing insights into human behaviour in workplace and organisational contexts, which are central to economic outcomes. For example, my research on factors affecting employee motivation, productivity, and decision-making is highly relevant for labour and behavioural economics, as it allows us to enrich economic models with psychological mechanisms that drive real-world workplace behaviour.
— How are you finding life in Moscow so far?
— Moscow is truly an amazing city and has lots to offer, from food to entertainment and culture. I will not be very original, but obviously, one of the most impressive things about the city is its public transportation system, which is exceptional.
I’m learning Russian, and it’s humbling! The case system alone is enough to keep you busy for a lifetime. For the moment, I am learning by myself online and with a grammar book, but I am planning to start proper Russian classes next academic year to speed up my learning.
My goal by the end of the year is to be able to hold a simple conversation in Russian without constantly reaching for my phone to translate
So, despite the language barrier, which can sometimes be quite challenging, I really enjoy my life in Moscow.