Grand Doctor of History, scholar of Eastern and Arab Studies and Islamic Studies, Dean of the Faculty of Eastern Studies of St. Petersburg State University.

Has served as Director of the State Hermitage Museum since 1992. Dr. Piotrovsky is President of the Russian Museum Union, member of the Russian Academy of Arts, and member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Mikhail Piotrovsky is member of the Council of Europe Consulting Group on Exhibition Activities, member of the Russian Committee for UNESCO Affairs, member of the Presidential Council for Culture and Arts, and of the Presidential Council for Science and Education.

He has been awarded Orders of Merit, 4th and 3rd Class, the Presidential Prize in Literature and Arts, and the St. Petersburg Tercentennial Medal.