Importance of International Scientific Contacts in Tomsk Scientific Community as the Factor of Physics Research Development in the 1970-1980-ies

Abstract

The article is devoted to historical reconstruction of the international contacts and communications of Tomsk scientific community in the 1970-1980s. Siberian Physical-Technical Institute (SPhTI) was a large center of basic and applied research development in the field of solid state physics, cybernetics, radio electronics and scientific staff training in the USSR. The author analyses the main forms of cooperation between SPhTI and foreign scientific research institutes and higher education institutions, the mechanism of foreign training organization, the forms of the state control on international scientific and educational contacts. The value of SPhTI's international scientific contacts in developing research on physics is emphasized. SPhTI scientists’ participation in foreign trips resulted in establishing personal acquaintances and close communicative connections on the basis of which later correspondence was initiated and technical information exchange was regularly carried out. All that, eventually, favorably influenced the quality of research work, gave new impetus for organization of large scientific conferences with participation of the leading scientists. The historical reconstruction of one of the largest USSR's research institutes’ international relations and contacts raises the issue of the relationship between science and power and feature of science development in the Soviet Union in the 1970-1980s. The article is intended for those interested in Russian history, history of higher education and science.