Skip to main content
Log in

Russian Scientists in Global Scientific Migration Processes

  • Organization of Research
  • Published:
Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A review of studies on the question of the mobility of Russian scientists in the recent period of Russian history is provided. The main stages and trends in the development of academic mobility over the past three decades are shown. The geography of migration flows, which involve employees of Russian research organizations and universities, is generalized. The unique position of Russia in terms of attractiveness for migrants from neighboring countries, which makes it possible to compensate to a certain extent for the outflow of domestic specialists, is emphasized. In addition, the authors draw attention to the methodological aspects of studying academic mobility and assessing its effectiveness, including the problem of data reliability and the development of a system of indicators.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. N. A. Shmatko and G. L. Volkova, “Mobility and career opportunities of researchers on the labour market,” Vyssh. Obraz. Ross., No. 1, 35–46 (2017).

  2. S. V. Ryazantsev, T. K. Rostovskaya, V. I. Skorobogatova, and V. A. Bezverbnyi, “International academic mobility in Russia: Trends, types, state stimulation,” Ekon. Reg. 15 (2), 420–435 (2019).

    Google Scholar 

  3. D. V. Zolotarev, F. D. Belov, I. N. Vasil’eva, et al., “Monitoring the interaction of Russian scientific and educational organizations with foreign scientists,” Upr. Nauk. Naukometr., No. 2, 292–330 (2019).

  4. Y. V. Markova, N. A. Shmatko, and Y. L. Katchanov, “Synchronous international scientific mobility in the space of affiliations: Evidence from Russia,” SpringerPlus 5 (1), 1–19 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. E. R. Akhmetziganova, “The brain drain problem for modern Russia,” Gorn. Inf.-Anal. Byull., No. 2, 235–238 (1999).

  6. T. V. Naumova, “Russia’s ‘brain drain,’” Russ. Soc. Sci. Rev., No. 2, 49–56 (1998).

  7. V. N. Gureyev, N. A. Mazov, D. V. Kosyakov, and A. E. Guskov, “Review and analysis of publications on scientific mobility: assessment of influence, motivation, and trends,” Scientometrics 124 (2), 1599–1630 (2020).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. L. G. Zubova, “The human potential of Russian science,” Herald Russ. Acad. Sci. 82 (4), 295–301 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. A. A. Tarasyev and G. A. Agarkov, “Dynamic modeling of scientific migration in terms of proportional economic growth,” AIP Conf. Proc. 2040, 1–4 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  10. N. V. Latova and V.I. Savinkov, “The influence of academic migration on the intellectual potential of Russia,” Eur. J. Educ. 47 (1), 64–76 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. S. V. Ryazantsev and V. A. Bezverbnyi, “International intellectual migration in Russia: History, reasons, consequences,” Vestn. Ross. Uiv. Druzh. Narod., Ser.: Ekon., No. 2, 16–23 (2009).

  12. A. Subbotin and S. Aref, “Brain drain and brain gain in Russia: Analyzing international migration of researchers by discipline using Scopus bibliometric data 1996–2020,” arXiv. Art. no. 2008.03129v1 (2020).

  13. V. A. Malakhov and D. S. Erkina, “Russian mathematicians in the international circulation of scientific personnel: Bibliometric analysis,” Sotsiol. Nauk. Tekhnol. 11 (1), 63–74 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  14. I. G. Ushkalov and I. A. Malakha, “Brain drain as a global phenomenon and its features in Russia,” Sotsiol. Issled., No. 3, 110–117 (2000).

  15. D. Y. Ball and T. P. Gerber, “Russian scientists and rogue states: Does Western assistance reduce the proliferation threat?,” Int. Sec. 29 (4), 50–77 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. A. Chepurenko, “The role of foreign scientific foundations’ role in the cross-border mobility of Russian academics,” Int. J. Manpower 36 (4), 562–584 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. A. A. Kazantsev and K. P. Borishpolets, “Brain drain from Russia as problem of political governance,” Vestn. MGIMO Univ., No. 6, 206–214 (2013).

  18. D. Teplyakov and O. Teplyakova, “National policy for academic mobility in Russia and the BRICS countries: 20 years of the bologna process implementation,” BRICS Law J. 5 (1), 5–26 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. A. A. Kazantsev, “Circular migration of Russian scientists to Europe and the USA,” Vestn. MGIMO Univ., No. 6, 220–225 (2012).

  20. L. Kirpitchenko, “Comparing experiences of academic mobility and migration,” Comp. Sociol. 13 (2), 215–234 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. A. A. Subbotin, “Brain drain in Russia at the present stage of its development,” Electron. Sci. Ed. Almanac Space Time 15 (1), 1–8 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  22. V. M. Morozov, “Intellectual migration to Israel: the Russian aspect,” Vestn. MGIMO Univ., No. 6, 238–241 (2012).

  23. A. V. Korobkov and Z. A. Zaionchkovskaia, “Russian brain drain: Myths vs. reality,” Comm. Post-Comm. Stud. 45 (3–4), 327–341 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  24. D. N. Mitin, “Intellect migration: Origins, consequences and ways of solution,” Vestn. Ross. Univ. Druzh. Narod., Ser.: Politol., No. 1, 41–47 (2011).

  25. I. G. Dezhina, “Intersectoral mobility of researchers in Russia and around the world,” Vestn. RGNF, No. 1, 96–110 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  26. A. E. Gus’kov, I. V. Selivanova, and D. V. Kosyakov, “Migration of Russian researchers: Analysis based on a scientometric approach,” Bibliosfera, No. 1, 3–15 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Science Indicators 2020: Compilation of Statistics, Ed. by L. M. Gokhberg, K. A. Ditkovskii, E. I. Evnevich, et al. (NIU VShE, Moscow, 2020) [in Russian].

  28. A. A. Tarasyev and G. A. Agarkov, “Modern tendencies of scientific migration in the Russian Federation,” AIP Conf. Proc. 2116, 1–4 (2019).

    Google Scholar 

  29. I. G. Dezhina, S. E. Soldatova, and S. E. Ushakova, “Migration of researchers in the Baltic region: Forecast and factors,” Balt. Reg., No. 12, 115–131 (2020).

  30. M. A. Yurevich, D. S. Erkina, and I. P. Tsapenko, “Measuring the international mobility of Russian scientists: A bibliometric approach,” Mir. Ekon. Mezhdunar. Otn. 64 (9), 53–62 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  31. N. Matveeva and A. Ferligoj, “Scientific collaboration in Russian universities before and after the excellence initiative Project 5–100,” Scientometrics 124 (3), 2383–2407 (2020).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. A.E. Guskov, D. V. Kosyakov, and I. V. Selivanova, “Boosting research productivity in top Russian universities: the circumstances of breakthrough,” Scientometrics 117 (2), 1053–1080 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. V. A. Malakhov, “The science labor market in Russia and abroad (based on the largest science job portals),” Nauk. Innov. Obraz., No. 4, 120–132 (2018).

  34. H. Horta and M. Yudkevich, “The role of academic inbreeding in developing higher education systems: Challenges and possible solutions,” Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 113, 363–372 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. O. Alipova and A. Lovakov, “Academic inbreeding and publication activities of Russian faculty,” Tert. Educ. Manag. 24 (1), 66–82 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. I. G. Dezhina, “Russian-speaking scientific diaspora: Experience and perspectives of cooperation with Russia.” Sotsiol. Nauk. Tekhnol. 7 (1), 134–149 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  37. A. V. Melikyan and B. V. Zhelezov, “A portrait of an international worker of a Russian higher education institution,” Vopr. Obraz. 2012 (4), 259–277 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  38. E. V. Sivak and M. M. Yudkevich, “Academic inbreedig: Pro and contra,” Vopr. Obraz., No. 1, 170–188 (2009).

  39. E. Sivak and M. Yudkevich, University inbreeding: An impact on values, strategies, and individual productivity of faculty members (2012). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1996417

  40. M. A. Yurevich, V. A. Malakhov, and D. S. Aushkap, “Global experience in interaction with compatriot scientists: Lessons for Russia,” Herald Russ. Acad. Sci. 89 (4), 342–350 (2019).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. S. Petrachenko, “The problem of brain drain from Russia in context of national intellectual security,” Vlast’, No. 9, 52–55 (2007).

  42. S. V. Ryazantsev and E.E. Pis’mennaya, “The effects of foreign academic migration for Russia,” Narodonaselenie, No. 4, 69–79 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  43. V. A. Iontsev, S. V. Ryazantsev, and S. V. Iontseva, “Emigration from Russia: New trends and forms,” Ekon. Reg. 12 (2), 499–509 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  44. International migration 2019 report. https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/publications/migrationreport/docs/InternationalMigration2019_Report.pdf. Cited December 11, 2020.

  45. G. A. Krasnova and E. A. Polushkina, “Information and analytical support of Russia’s participation in interstate educational alliances,” Vestn. MGPU, Ser. Informatika Informatiz. Obraz., No. 4, 89–99 (2017).

  46. I. G. Dezhina, “Russian policy on the development of cooperation with foreign compatriot scientists,” Ekon. Prognozir. 10 (2), 9–24 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  47. H. Jöns, “Transnational mobility and the spaces of knowledge production: A comparison of global patterns, motivations and collaborations in different academic fields,” Soc. Geogr. 2 (2), 97–114 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. N. A. Mazov, V. N. Gureev, and M. I. Epov, “Russian publications and journals on earth sciences in international databases,” Herald Russ. Acad. Sci. 85 (1), 20–25 (2015).

  49. I. Ryzhkova and J. S. Methi, “Potential, problems, and challenges of joint international master programmes: Case-study of the joint Norwegian–Russian master degree programme in borderology,” in Borderology: Cross-Disciplinary Insights from the Border Zone (Springer, Cham, 2019), pp. 41–54.

    Google Scholar 

  50. A. A. Voroshilova, “Academic mobility as a key factor of quality assurance in tertiary education,” IOP Conf. Ser.: Mat. Sci. Eng. 70, 1–8 (2015).

  51. A. Bezrukov, J. Ziyatdinova, P. Sanger, et al., “Inbound international faculty mobility programs in Russia: Best practices,” Adv. Intell. Syst. Comput. 715, 260–265 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  52. N. A. Mazov and V. N. Gureev, “Publications by editorial board of science journals as translated into bibliometric indicators (library and information science),” Nauch. Tekhn. Bibl., No. 11, 33–58 (2020).

  53. D. Kosyakov and A. Guskov, “Synchronous scientific mobility and international collaboration: Case of Russia,” in Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Scientometrics and Informetrics (ISSI 2019) (Sapienza Univ., 2019), Vol. 1, pp. 1319–1328.

  54. D. Kosyakov and A. Guskov, “Impact of national science policy on academic migration and research productivity in Russia,” Proc. Comput. Sci. 146, 60–71 (2019).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. V. N. Gureev, N. A. Mazov, and A. E. Guskov, “The phenomenon of scientific mobility in informetric studies,” Nauch. Tekhn. Bibl., No. 10, 40–55 (2019).

  56. J. Kolesnikova, C. Ricaud, A. Kamasheva, and Y. Zhao, “Current trends of realization of the intellectual capital and problems of intellectual migration,” Proc. Econ. Fin. 14, 326–332 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  57. K. Kazakova and T. Zhukovskaya, “From St. Petersburg to Dorpat and back: On academic migration and communication between universities in the first half of the 19th century,” Acta Balt. Hist. Philos. Sci. 6 (2), 161–170 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project no. 18-011-00797.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to V. N. Gureev, A. E. Guskov or N. A. Mazov.

Additional information

Translated by B. Alekseev

Vadim Nikolaevich Gureev, Cand. Sci. (Ed.), is a Senior Researcher of the Laboratory of Scientometrics of the State Public Scientific and Technological Library, RAS Siberian Branch (SPSTL SB RAS). Andrey Evgen’evich Guskov, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), is SPSTL SB RAS Director. Nikolai Alekseevich Mazov, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), is a Leading Researcher of the SPSTL SB RAS Laboratory of Scientometrics.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gureev, V.N., Guskov, A.E. & Mazov, N.A. Russian Scientists in Global Scientific Migration Processes. Her. Russ. Acad. Sci. 91, 428–437 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331621040055

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331621040055

Keywords:

Navigation