The subject structure of global science and optimization of the Russian network of dissertation councils: Imbalance and harmonization

Abstract

This paper reviews the results of the optimization of the network of dissertation councils in the Russian Federation in the period between 2013 and 2015. The disciplinary structure of highly qualified scientific personnel in Russia, which is expected to evolve following the optimization, and the subject structure of global science, are compared. For this purpose, the share of publications in the specific subject areas of the Web of Science database is evaluated. The contribution of different domains to the development of scientific fronts based on the Essential Science Indicators data is assessed. The project was aimed at optimizing dissertation councils on the harmonized structure of highly qualified scientific personnel in Russia; the subject structure of global science was determined relying on factual and image data. It is highlighted that the unjustifiably low share of medical dissertation councils and the high share of dissertation councils for economic sciences, which is not in line with global research trends, will remain in Russia by late 2015.