Potential for Scientific Collaboration between Russian Think Tanks and the Global South

Abstract

Introduction. This article analyses expert survey data conducted among Russian think tank employees and is aimed to assess the current level of scientific cooperation between Russia and new partners amidst Russia's geopolitical shift, analyses the potential for such cooperation, and answers what problematic agenda can unify and provide a cumulative effect to international scientific cooperation. The article also gives the main challenges that think tanks face when establishing scientific cooperation with colleagues from the Global South. The article addresses whether think tanks cooperate with EAEU countries and the Global South, in which areas the cooperation takes place and with which countries, whether the intensity of international communications has changed in the last 2 years, and what social and political agenda is prioritised in the scientific community's work. Methods. Both general theoretical and empirical methods were used to solve the research tasks: systematisation and generalisation; an expert survey, which results allowed for the assessment of the current level of scientific cooperation and the identification of priority areas for scientific diplomacy. Results and Discussion. Based on an expert survey among leading Russian think tanks, the current level of scientific communication was determined, countries were ranked by the intensity of scientific contacts, main forms of scientific cooperation were identified, and the problematic agenda of the Russian scientific community was analysed. Conclusion. Russia has significant potential for scientific cooperation with Global South countries, based on existing experience and similar problem agendas faced by the scientific communities of Russia and the Global South.