The great Russian brain drain. At least 270 scientists and top university professors have resigned and left Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine — Novaya Gazeta Europe
novayagazeta.eu
Last week, Moscow’s prestigious Higher School of Economics (HSE) dismissed one of its founders — Igor Lipsits, Doctor of Economics. The scientist has lived abroad in the last three years and has repeatedly chastised the Kremlin for its aggression against Ukraine. There are hundreds or even thousands of similar stories out there. Novaya-Europe has studied open sources to identify 270 university staffers, including professors and heads of institutes, who severed ties with Russia in the past 18 months. Let’s take a look at the toll the war is taking on Russian science.

Half of the Russian scientists who left the country publicly opposed the invasion of Ukraine: they posted online and signed an open letter against the war. In the past 18 months, at least 21 Russian economists, 27 computer scientists, 34 physicists and mathematicians, 15 biologists, and 17 philologists left the country.

  • @gapbetweenus@feddit.deEnglish
    24•1 year ago

    There are a very limited numbers of scientist and even more professors at top university. One professor moving, is basically closing down a whole research branch.

    • @Eheran@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0•1 year ago

      One professor leaving is irrelevant. He will simply be replaced. The new professor might be better or worse at some of the many, different things he does. Not to mention in Russia… how do you get to such a position? Actually with good work?

      What is relevant is when a large portion of the highly skilled population leaves.

      • @gapbetweenus@feddit.deEnglish
        11•1 year ago

        Professors are experts on a very specific fraction of a scientific topic, even losing one as I said - might close down an entire research branch. And as you said - Russia already has a problem with corruption, so not many scientist have to leave to shut down what is left of research.

      • @Gladaed@feddit.deEnglish
        3•1 year ago

        That’s not how that works. Professors at large aren’t fungible. You cannot replace one for another.