Downsized Yet Still Potent Russian Science Seen Emerging From Current Political Crisis

The collapse of the Soviet Union has left research institutes without adequate support. As a result, Russia's science establishment, the largest in the world in absolute numbers, is in crisis. Greater travel freedom has given scientists and engineers the possibility to flee abroad, and those wh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research technology management 1993-07, Vol.36 (4), p.2-3
Main Author: Graham, Loren R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Conservatism
Economic impact
PERSPECTIVES
Political behavior
R&D
Research & development
Research centers
Research universities
Science
Scientists
State budgets
State universities
Technology policy
Universities
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Summary:The collapse of the Soviet Union has left research institutes without adequate support. As a result, Russia's science establishment, the largest in the world in absolute numbers, is in crisis. Greater travel freedom has given scientists and engineers the possibility to flee abroad, and those who remain have sought economic refuge by deserting the laboratories for private business activity. Science in the former Soviet Union was organized in 3 large pyramids: 1. the applied research establishment, 2. the research universities, and 3. the academies of science in each of 14 republics, plus the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Despite the brain drain and financial difficulties, some of the most dedicated Russian scientists are still carrying on as best they can. If the Russian economy ever stabilizes, the prospect is for the emergence of a markedly down-sized Russian science establishment that will still be capable of making signficant contributions to world science.
ISSN:0895-6308
1930-0166