This collection of articles from the Independent University of Moscow is derived from the Globus seminars held there. They are given by world authorities, from Russia and elsewhere, in various areas of mathematics and are designed to introduce graduate students to some of the most dynamic areas of mathematical research. The seminars aim to be informal, wide-ranging and forward-looking, getting across the ideas and concepts rather than formal proofs, and this carries over to the articles here. Topics covered range from computational complexity, algebraic geometry, dynamics, through to number theory and quantum groups. The volume as a whole is a fascinating and exciting overview of contemporary mathematics.