Abstract. The history of the activities of the Southern Branch of the Russian Institute for Cultural Studies (2012–2014), which was later transformed into the Southern Branch of the Russian Scientific Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage named after D.Likhachev, is briefly presented. A description is given of the research conducted by this scientific institution on the problems of state cultural policy, the preservation of cultural heritage, the ethno cultural specifics of the South of Russia and the formation of civic identity (publication activity, scientific and scientific-practical events). The experience of educational and expert consulting activities is summarized, basic information about the researchers is given.

Key words: cultural studies, state cultural policy, cultural heritage, research work, Russian Institute for Cultural Studies, Heritage Institute, Russian Scientific Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage named after D.Likhachev.

Gorlova Irina Ivanovna,