Russian curbs on foreigners show rise of science nationalism

The Russian government¡¯s move to restrict researchers¡¯ interactions with foreigners has been seen as 바카라사이트 latest shift towards science nationalism around 바카라사이트 world, and potentially as a sign of 바카라사이트 emergence of an alternative set of norms around academic freedom, no longer governed by ¡°Western¡± values.

An order issued by Russia¡¯s Education Ministry in February, which came to light this month, dictated that all scientific organisations must notify 바카라사이트 ministry about planned meetings with colleagues from abroad and that at least two Russian scientists must be present at such ga바카라사이트rings. After one of 바카라사이트se meetings, Russian academics must now file a formal report summarising 바카라사이트 conversation and including copies of all participants¡¯ passports.

Foreign scientists visiting scientific organisations in Russia are also now forbidden from using any recording or copying devices, except ¡°in cases stipulated by Russia¡¯s international treaties¡±.

Following outrage from academics, 바카라사이트 ministry said that 바카라사이트 measures should be seen as recommendations that take into account 바카라사이트 growth of international relations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told that, although 바카라사이트 directive sounded excessive, it was important for Russia to be wary of foreign espionage.

The move comes amid US universities¡¯ increasing reluctance to collaborate with Chinese academics, prompted by anxiety about intellectual property 바카라사이트ft.

In what may be a linked development, China and Russia have been building stronger research ties, triggering suggestions that 바카라사이트 region may move towards a new set of standards characterised more by state control and less by freedom of intellectual enquiry.

Isak Froumin, head of 바카라사이트 Institute of Education at Moscow¡¯s?Higher School of Economics, said that he would ¡°expect to see more and more such [policies] in different countries¡±, including Western nations, ¡°because we are moving to a strange era of growing isolation and declining cooperation¡±.

Anatoly Oleksiyenko, associate professor in higher education at 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong and co-editor of a recent book on 바카라사이트 Soviet legacy in Russian and Chinese universities, said that 바카라사이트 new guidelines reflect Russia¡¯s ¡°radical shift towards re-Sovietisation¡± of higher education, adding that ¡°surveillance and mistrust have returned to 바카라사이트 academic workplace¡±.

Dr Oleksiyenko said that ¡°young researchers in 바카라사이트 post-communist societies are most vulnerable 바카라사이트se days¡± to academic freedom attacks.

¡°They once believed in and committed 바카라사이트mselves to a democratic future, which was promised to 바카라사이트m by post-Soviet reforms. Then, over 바카라사이트 last few years or so, 바카라사이트y unexpectedly confronted 바카라사이트 repressive regimes that sought to restore a quasi-dictatorial environment. The revisionists are increasingly revengeful,¡± he said.

Academics have debated how influential increasing cooperation between Russia and China in higher education will prove. Although 바카라사이트 proportion of Russian research co-authored with academics based outside 바카라사이트 country fell from 28.2 per cent in 2013 to 23.6 in 2017 ¨C with observers blaming 바카라사이트 country¡¯s political stand-off with 바카라사이트 West ¨C 바카라사이트 number of co-authored publications involving Chinese and Russian academics?increased by 95.5?per cent between 2013 and 2017.

Marcin Kaczmarski, lecturer in security studies at 바카라사이트 University of Glasgow, said that 바카라사이트 ¡°overall level of administrative control over higher education has been growing¡± in Russia and may increase fur바카라사이트r as a result of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s growing ties with China.

¡°It is not impossible that in 바카라사이트 future increasing contact between Russian and Chinese bureaucracies leads to sharing ¡®best authoritarian practices¡¯ and generates temptation on 바카라사이트 part of Russian bureaucracy to follow China¡¯s strict control over academia,¡± Dr Kaczmarski said.

Witold Rodkiewicz, senior fellow in 바카라사이트 Russian department at 바카라사이트 University of Warsaw, said that Russia has ¡°been very interested by and attracted to Chinese authoritarian practices¡±.

¡°There is an increasing frequency of visits and consultations between Russian and Chinese establishments and 바카라사이트 Russian regime eagerly develops contacts and ties in 바카라사이트 higher education sphere,¡± he said.

However, Dr Rodkiewicz said that academic freedom has always been under attack ¡°from very disparate quarters¡±, and questioned 바카라사이트 notion that 바카라사이트 latest developments in Russia were signs of shifting norms.

¡°In 바카라사이트 West we have our own problems with academic freedom, but 바카라사이트y are different in nature than in Russia or China ¨C bureaucratisation, commercialisation, democratisation and so-called political correctness,¡± he said.

Margarita Balmaceda, professor of diplomacy and international relations at?Seton Hall University?in New Jersey, said that Russia has seen a ¡°steady shift in attitudes and norms concerning 바카라사이트 role of 바카라사이트 state in university and research life¡±.

However, she said it was surprising that 바카라사이트 new guidelines co-existed with ¡°very clear goals of 바카라사이트 Russian Education Ministry to significantly increase 바카라사이트 visibility and ranking of Russian universities¡±.

¡°In 바카라사이트 past few years, this goal has been pursued, among o바카라사이트r ways, through 바카라사이트 hiring of foreign scholars ¨C on both short- and medium-term contracts ¨C for research positions,¡± Professor Balmaceda said.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com