Research University in Modern Russia: From Science to Innovation

Historically, science in Russia was concentrated at the academic and applied-research institutions. Nowadays, state science policy is aimed at the development of scientific researches in higher education institutions. As a result, some universities received the status of National Research University. Research universities become entrepreneurial, characterized by the managerial model similar to business. The consequences of such business-oriented strategies turned into unstable conditions of work for scientist, limitation of permanent contracts, public perception of scientist as ordinary worker.

The principles of research universities were imported into Russian educational system, which is included into particular socio-economic conditions: the state, not private sector, is a major customer in producing public goods. In this regard, it is important to understand the effectiveness of Research University in Russian reality.

This report will present the results of empirical study, conducted in 2013 at the laboratories under the supervision of leading scientists in St. Petersburg. These laboratories represent Biomedical and IT clusters. We have sent 50 questionnaires per e-mail to the young researchers. The questionnaire includes three parts: global situation in Russian science, situation at the university, own professional career. We obtained 9  interviews with leading scientists.

We have created rating scale with following items: the prospects of line of investigation, the potential for innovation, scientific productivity, efficiency of management, the training of young researchers and their academic advancement on the labor markets. The resulting survey data are being processed. Interviews revealed "trigger points" for the work of research laboratories. In spite of the high scientific productivity, there is a weak role of business in the financing of science, "bureaucratization”, uncertainty for laboratory at the end of the project, continuing “brain drain”. Thus, in Russian educational environment some universities may become "research", not entrepreneurial.