On January 4, 2026, the Rector and co-founder of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MSUPE), Honored Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Professor Arkady Aronovich Margolis celebrated his anniversary.
Arkady Aronovich's credo is creation. As a worthy successor and like-minded follower of his teacher Vitaly Vladimirovich Rubtsov, the first rector of MSUPE, Arkady Aronovich consistently develops the idea of a unique psychological university. A fundamental university capable of being a source of development for science and education at all its levels.
The scale of Arkady Aronovich's activity is determined not so much by individual milestones of his professional journey, but by consistent and systematic efforts in the field of higher education, leading to sustainable solutions in specialist training, scientific expertise, and support for the professional community. These efforts largely set the development prospects for key areas of MSUPE as one of the leading Russian universities training modern psychological and pedagogical personnel in the spirit of inquiry, research, and creativity.
A significant place in Arkady Aronovich's professional activity is occupied by the development of scientific traditions of cultural-historical psychology as an integral research line. In his scholarly works, he consistently develops the ideas of cultural-historical psychology and activity theory in developmental psychology and education. A special place in his work is held by research devoted to the search for digital solutions in developmental education, psychological approaches to constructing professional pedagogical education considering historical changes in society's life, which are today set by prospective educational practice.
A distinct line of Arkady Aronovich's professional activity is the formation of university infrastructure for scientific communication. He directly founded and ideologically leads the direction uniting the university's scientific journals and digital publishing platforms of MSUPE, including the portal of psychological publications. Today, this work determines the quality and accessibility of scientific knowledge, supports the scientific and professional communities of Russian psychology and education, and sets high benchmarks for the development of the university's academic publishing.
One of the fruits of this work was the journal "Cultural-Historical Psychology," founded 20 years ago by V.P. Zinchenko, V.M. Munipov, V.V. Rubtsov, A.A. Margolis, and B.G. Meshcheryakov. Over the years, the journal has established itself as one of the leading psychological publications, while preserving its thematic specificity and scientific integrity. This constitutes its special status for all of psychological science, and Arkady Aronovich's support for the journal is truly invaluable.
Dear Arkady Aronovich, accept our congratulations on your anniversary! You combine the qualities of a scientist-leader in cultural-historical and activity psychology, an organizer of the developmental type, and a devoted advocate of education — not only higher education, but also general education, where learning merges with research.
May this fortunate combination continue to accompany You on a kind and long life and professional journey! And may Your credo — creation — be embodied in new solutions that change the world of our science and education!
The editorial board of the journal "Cultural-Historical Psychology"