Institutional Framework and Practice of Russian Science Diplomacy
https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2022-5-86-208-225
Abstract
The research deals with a relatively recent phenomenon of science diplomacy as a tool of Russian foreign policy. One of the science diplomacy tracks is 'diplomacy for science. The article investigates this track’s macroand micro-level practices to assess the overall effectiveness of Russian science diplomacy. The authors conducted an indepth analysis of primary sources and semi-structured interviews with academics and diplomats. They conclude that at the micro-level, 'diplomacy for science' is hindered by a lack of legal information on travel rules, poor consolidation of the ‘research diaspora,' and the absence of a regulatory framework to identify those eligible for consular and diplomatic support. A distrust in communication between scholars and diplomats further aggravates the uneven support for scientists across Russian diplomatic missions. At the macro-level, the institutional framework of scientific cooperation between Russia and other states appears vague, featuring non-binding memoranda of understanding and very few detailed agreements.
Keywords
science diplomacy,
diplomacy for science,
scientific exchange,
scientific cooperation,
consular issues,
Russian diplomacy,
digital diplomacy,
research diaspora,
overseas compatriots,
science policy
Supporting agencies: The research was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 18-78-10123-П).
About the Authors
R. O. Reinhardt
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Roman O. Reinhardt – Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Department of Diplomatic Studies
Pr. Vernadskogo 76, Moscow, Russia, 119454
V. A. Mozebakh
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Vladimir A. Mozebakh – BA (Hons) in Foreign Area Studies, MA candidate in International Relations
Pr. Vernadskogo 76, Moscow, Russia, 119454
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Review
For citations:
Reinhardt R.O., Mozebakh V.A. Institutional Framework and Practice of Russian Science Diplomacy. MGIMO Review of International Relations. 2022;15(5):208-225. https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2022-5-86-208-225
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