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ICSU supports the independence of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Following recent developments in Russia, including proposed legislation that would threaten the independence of the Russian Academy of Sciences, ICSU’s Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the Conduct of Science (CFRS) has expressed its support for an independent, merit-based Russian Academy.

Among many other sweeping changes, the proposed legislation would see the Russian Academy merged with several smaller scientific institutions and abolish any distinction between fully-fledged academicians and corresponding members. CFRS believes that the free and responsible conduct of science requires the independence of scientific academies. It is therefore deeply concerned about the proposed reforms, especially because these proposals appear to have arisen without proper consultation with the scientific community.

Leiv K. Sydnes, the chair of CFRS, has expressed ICSU’s support for the Academy’s independence in a letter sent yesterday to the president of the Russian Academy, Prof. Vladimir Fortov. You can see the full letter below.

Media coverage

Russian roulette, Nature, 3 July 2013

New Law Would Deal a Blow to Russian Academy, Science Insider, 28 June 2013


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