Is Russian science healthy?

On 2 October, 100 Russian researchers who permanently work abroad published a letter in the leading Moscow business newspaper Vedomosti complaining of "the disastrous situation in Russian basic research" reports Science and Radio Free Europe.

Official Russian statistics suggest that 25,000 scientists emigrated from Russia between 1989 and 2004, and another 30,000 went abroad under temporary contracts says the newswire service RIA Novosti. Independent reports estimate at least 80,000 emigrated in the early 1990s alone.

According to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's press office, Medvedev responded by initiating work on a plan for developing Russian science.

Both Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have called for increased science investment in the last year, triggered in part by the US stimulus bill which channeled billions of dollars to basic research.

Medvedev's visibility with science investment increased recently when he opened the Second International Nanotechnology Forum held in Moscow, which was attended by a number of government officials.

In his speech, Medvedev said that Russia had all the intellectual, organizational and financial resources necessary to become a leader in nanotechnology by investing $10.5 billion of government funding over the next few years to 2015.

Medvedev praised the university system suggesting that "they represent a genuine potential advantage" compared to international competitors.

He also stated that Russia needs to facilitate the return of researchers who fled the country and create favorable conditions for research, and expressed concern how Russia will train up the 100-150,000 workforce needed for nanotechnology.

"It is obvious that we need modern, informed, qualified professionals in this [nanotech] field, people who have been trained in the new programs.... If the existing nomenclature of specializations does not provide the capabilities we need, then we simply need to change it and to prepare the sort of professionals that we do need," he said. "A shortage of personnel remains a serious barrier to Russia’s serious engagement in nanotechnology."

Paul Guinnessy