# Alexandra Elbakyan

> Kazakh computer scientist and founder of Sci-Hub

**Wikidata**: [Q21996568](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21996568)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Elbakyan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexandra-elbakyan

## Summary
Alexandra Elbakyan is a Kazakh computer scientist and activist, widely recognized as the founder of Sci-Hub. Through Sci-Hub, she has become a prominent figure in the open access movement, challenging traditional academic publishing models. Her work has earned her accolades such as Nature's 10 and the EFF Award.

## Biography
- Born: 1988-11-06, Almaty, Soviet Union (Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic)
- Nationality: Kazakhstani
- Education:
    - Bachelor's degree in security studies and information technology from Satbayev University (2005-2009)
    - Attended National Research University – Higher School of Economics (2012-2014)
    - Attended University of Freiburg
    - Attended Georgia Tech
    - Master's degree in Biblical languages and linguistics from Saint Petersburg State University (2017-2019)
    - PhD in Philosophical Sciences from Institute of Philosophy (2024)
- Known for: Founding Sci-Hub
- Field(s): Computer science, neural engineering, neuroscience, programming, software engineering, activism

## Contributions
Alexandra Elbakyan's most significant contribution is the founding of Sci-Hub, a website launched to provide free access to millions of research papers and books. This initiative, which began as a response to the high cost of academic journal subscriptions, has had a profound impact on the global open access movement. Sci-Hub makes scientific knowledge widely available, bypassing paywalls and challenging the established academic publishing industry. Her work with Sci-Hub has made her a central figure in discussions about intellectual property, copyright, and the dissemination of scientific research. She has also contributed to the fields of computer science and neural engineering, with her academic pursuits including studies in information technology, linguistics, and philosophy.

## FAQs
### Q: Who is Alexandra Elbakyan?
A: Alexandra Elbakyan is a Kazakh computer scientist and activist, best known as the founder of Sci-Hub, a website that provides free access to academic research papers.

### Q: What is Sci-Hub?
A: Sci-Hub is a website founded by Alexandra Elbakyan that offers free access to a vast collection of paywalled academic articles and books, aiming to democratize scientific knowledge.

### Q: What awards has Alexandra Elbakyan received?
A: Alexandra Elbakyan has received "Nature's 10" in 2016 and the EFF Award in 2023 for her work and advocacy related to open access.

### Q: Where did Alexandra Elbakyan complete her education?
A: Alexandra Elbakyan earned a bachelor's degree from Satbayev University, a master's degree from Saint Petersburg State University, and a PhD in Philosophical Sciences from the Institute of Philosophy.

## Why They Matter
Alexandra Elbakyan matters because her creation of Sci-Hub has fundamentally challenged the traditional, often restrictive, academic publishing landscape. By providing free access to millions of research papers, she has ignited a global conversation about open access, the ethics of information dissemination, and the future of scientific knowledge sharing. Her actions have empowered researchers, students, and the public worldwide to access information that would otherwise be behind expensive paywalls, thereby accelerating scientific progress and education. Elbakyan's work has made her a symbol of digital civil disobedience in the pursuit of universal access to knowledge, influencing policy debates and inspiring further efforts in the open access movement.

## Notable For
*   Founder of Sci-Hub, a prominent platform for open access to academic research.
*   Named one of "Nature's 10" in 2016 for her significant impact on science.
*   Recipient of the EFF Award in 2023, recognizing her contributions to digital rights.
*   A Kazakh computer scientist and activist advocating for free access to scientific knowledge.
*   Holds multiple academic degrees, including a PhD in Philosophical Sciences.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Alexandra Asanovna Elbakyan was born on November 6, 1988, in Almaty, which was then part of the Soviet Union (Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic). Her native language is Russian, and she also speaks and writes English.

Elbakyan pursued a diverse academic path:
*   **Satbayev University (2005-2009):** She earned a bachelor's degree, specializing in security studies and information technology.
*   **National Research University – Higher School of Economics (2012-2014):** She continued her studies here.
*   **University of Freiburg & Georgia Tech:** She also attended these institutions.
*   **Saint Petersburg State University (2017-2019):** She completed a master's degree in Biblical languages and linguistics.
*   **Institute of Philosophy (2024):** She earned a PhD in Philosophical Sciences.

Her fields of interest and work include computer science, neural engineering, neuroscience, programming, and software engineering. She has expressed interest in the "global brain" concept.

### Founding of Sci-Hub
Alexandra Elbakyan is primarily known as the founder of Sci-Hub, a website she created to provide free access to paywalled academic papers. This initiative positioned her as a leading figure in the open access movement. Sci-Hub's mission is to remove barriers to scientific knowledge, making research accessible to everyone globally.

### Activism and Advocacy
As an activist, Elbakyan's work with Sci-Hub directly challenges copyright laws and the business models of major academic publishers. Her efforts have made her a focal point in discussions surrounding intellectual property, academic freedom, and the democratization of information. She is recognized for her advocacy for open access and has been noted on Wikimedia projects like WikiProject Open access.

### Awards and Recognition
Elbakyan's impact has been recognized through significant awards:
*   **Nature's 10 (2016):** She was included in Nature's annual list of ten people who mattered in science.
*   **EFF Award (2023):** The Electronic Frontier Foundation presented her with this award for her contributions.

### Online Presence
Alexandra Elbakyan maintains an active online presence, including:
*   **Website/Blog:** https://engineuring.wordpress.com
*   **Twitter:** @ringo_ring, with over 113,843 followers as of February 9, 2023.
*   **Facebook:** alexandra.elbakyan
*   **VK:** alexandra.elbakyan
*   **LiveJournal:** ringo_ring
*   **ResearchGate:** Alexandra_Elbakyan
*   **Slideshare:** AlexandraElbakyan
*   **Career.Habr.com:** aleksandra-elbakyan

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## References

1. [Aleksandra Elbakjan](https://vk.com/alexandra.elbakyan)
2. [Александра Элбакян](https://moikrug.ru/aleksandra-elbakyan)
3. [Элбакян Александра](https://iphras.ru/page26414303.htm)
4. Nature’s 10
5. [Source](https://www.eff.org/press/releases/electronic-frontier-foundation-present-annual-eff-awards-alexandra-asanovna-elbakyan)
6. Google Knowledge Graph
7. ORCID Registry