Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
I’m in my second year of a PhD in American Studies and Philanthropy. My research interests focus on Pride organizations as civic and nonprofit institutions within urban cultural infrastructures, with particular attention to Indiana. I analyze how these organizations navigate local governance, funding regimes, public legitimacy, and community representation, and how they shape the politics of visibility, belonging, and public space across cities in the state. As an education innovator with a human-centered, interdisciplinary approach, I’ve moved from teaching Russian Language Arts to consulting on urban education development. Collaborating with educators, architects, anthropologists, and urbanists, I’ve pioneered Educational Urbanism concepts in Russia and led place-based learning initiatives that unlock territorial educational potential. Drawing inspiration from UNESCO’s Learning Cities, Ron Dvir’s Knowledge Cities, and hyperlocal projects, I bridge professionals and communities to transform urban environments through participatory, project-driven learning. Email me if you want to talk or collaborate – maxim.bulanov (at) gmail.com
Spring 2026: Teaching assistant for Dr. Sara Konrath, "Donors motivation and engagement II | P330" and "PhSt Arts, Humanities, and Philanthropy | P211". Fall 2025: Developing and Teaching the "Introduction to Philanthropic Studies | P201" course. Spring 2025: Teaching assistant for Dr. Genevieve Shaker, "Giving and volunteering in America | P105" course. Fall 2024: Teaching assistant for Dr. Anthony Heaven, “Donors motivation and engagement” course.
MCPU is renowned for spearheading educational innovation, with a focus on urban studies. Here, I architected a pioneering two-year Master's program in Educational Urbanism, integrating urban infrastructure into scientific research and educational design. Key Achievements: 🔘 Curated and coordinated the development of new courses within the Master's program. 🔘 Mentored students, led master's thesis projects, and provided academic support. 🔘 Launched a public program on urban educational research. 🔘 Actively participated in roundtables and conferences, contributing to the advancement of educational urbanism theory.
As a Co-Founder and Education Project Manager specializing in Urban Education Development, my seven-year journey alongside esteemed architect Olga Rokal has been marked by significant achievements. Together, we've left our creative footprint across regions including Kostroma, Pervouralsk, Suzdal, Izhvesk, and others, engaging with over 30 institutional partners in a collective effort to reimagine urban educational landscapes. Our creative synergy has materialized into 25+ groundbreaking projects and art installations, each a reflection of our shared vision for vibrant educational urban spaces. Through our endeavors, we have directly engaged a diverse group of over 1,000 participants, fostering a community-driven approach to learning. Our online initiatives have also successfully connected with over 200 individuals, leveraging digital platforms to extend our reach and impact. This partnership has not only produced tangible outcomes but has also set a precedent for innovation in urban educational development across these dynamic Russian cities. Follow for more information https://www.instagram.com/mesto.program
As an independent educational program designer, I've worked with a spectrum of cultural and academic institutions to reform educational methodologies and curricula. My collaborative partners include: 🏛 Garage Museum of Contemporary Art: A leading contemporary art space where I enhanced educational projects and museum pedagogy principles. 🏛 Moscow Exhibition Halls: A network of venues for art genres, where I crafted training for teaching artists and supported urban educational projects. 🏛 Goethe-Institut Moscow: A cultural institute for promoting German language and culture, where I led networking and strategy sessions for school directors from six Russian regions and developed media literacy programs. 🏛 RosBusinessConsulting: A premier Russian media holding where I hosted a podcast series exploring lifelong learning and education trends. 🏛 The National University of Science and Technology MISIS: Creating a MOOC focused on educational technology and media, contributing to the university's reputation as a leading scientific and educational hub. Through these partnerships, I've honed my expertise in educational innovation and community engagement. Key Achievements: 🔘 Consulted on and improved professional orientation programs at the Garage Museum, renowned for its contemporary art archives and cultural initiatives. 🔘 Developed a training program for teaching artists, aiding in city educational projects. 🔘 Designed a successful MOOC, reaching a wide audience with innovative teaching methods. 🔘 Hosted educational podcasts, contributing to lifelong learning discussions. I am passionate about creating bridges between professionals, community members, and the younger generation, aiming to make their learning experiences better. If you're looking for a creative and independent educational professional, let's discuss potential opportunities. Email: [email protected]
Neonoo is a cutting-edge educational technology company dedicated to transforming the way children learn mathematics and STEAM subjects through innovative, game-based experiences. Our smart toys integrate AI, human-computer interaction (HCI), and embodied cognition to create engaging, inclusive learning environments for children of all abilities. By combining physical activity with digital interaction, Neonoo promotes cognitive and emotional development, ensuring that every child can explore and express their ideas through math. Neonoo creates infrastructures for spreading embodied education, accessible to all children worldwide, through the creation of community-driven initiatives and practices.