Russian Academy of Natural Sciences

Russian Academy of Natural Sciences
Name	Russian Academy of Natural Sciences
Native name	Российская академия естественных наук
Founded	1990
Founder	Юрий Орлин
Location	Moscow, Russia
Fields	Natural sciences

Russian Academy of Natural Sciences is a Russian non-state scholarly organization founded in 1990 that brings together researchers, inventors, and public figures in the natural sciences. The body emerged during the late Soviet and early post-Soviet period amid institutional reforms involving Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, State Duma, and other actors shaping Russian scientific policy. It has interacted with institutions such as Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow State University, Saint Petersburg State University, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, and regional centers including Novosibirsk Akademgorodok.

History

The organization was created in the context of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the transformation of Soviet-era institutions under actors like Mikhail Gorbachev and policy debates in bodies such as the Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union and the Supreme Soviet of Russia. Founders included prominent figures linked to institutions such as Moscow State University, Lomonosov Moscow State University departments, and research networks from Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk. During the 1990s it established contacts with ministries formerly overseen by Ministry of Higher Education of the USSR and engaged with scientific communities in regions like Saint Petersburg, Kazan, and Yekaterinburg. Over time it has paralleled developments involving organizations such as Russian Academy of Sciences reforms debated in the State Duma and referenced in public debates with figures like Viktor Sadovnichiy and Yuri Osipov.

Organization and Structure

The institution is organized into divisions, sections, and regional branches modeled after academies such as Russian Academy of Sciences and sections similar to faculties at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and Bauman Moscow State Technical University. Leadership posts have been held by individuals with ties to universities and institutes including Moscow State University, Russian State Agrarian University, and research centers in Novosibirsk Akademgorodok. Its administrative framework interacts with federal agencies such as the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and local authorities in regions like Tatarstan and Sverdlovsk Oblast. The academy runs specialized committees that coordinate projects comparable to programs at Institute of Physics and Technology and collaborates with professional societies like Russian Union of Rectors.

Membership and Admission

Membership categories include academicians, corresponding members, and honorary members analogous to structures at Russian Academy of Sciences and international bodies such as the National Academy of Sciences (United States), Royal Society, and Chinese Academy of Sciences. Prominent personnel admitted have backgrounds at institutions including Moscow State University, Saint Petersburg State University, Novosibirsk State University, Russian State Medical University, and research institutes affiliated with Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Admission procedures reference statutes and charters comparable to those of Academy of Sciences of the USSR predecessors and involve elections reminiscent of procedures in bodies like the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the French Academy of Sciences.

Activities and Programs

The organization sponsors research projects, awards, and applied programs cooperating with universities and institutes such as Moscow State University, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, and regional research centers in Novosibirsk and Tomsk. Initiatives include conferences, expert assessments, and grant-like support analogous to programs run by Russian Foundation for Basic Research and Russian Science Foundation. It has engaged in interdisciplinary work spanning collaborations with medical establishments like Russian Academy of Medical Sciences affiliates, engineering departments at Saint Petersburg State Polytechnic University, and environmental research linked to Institute of Geography units. Outreach efforts have involved partnerships with cultural institutions such as Tretyakov Gallery and municipal authorities in Moscow.

Publications and Conferences

The academy publishes journals, collected proceedings, and monographs with editorial boards drawing members from institutions including Moscow State University, Saint Petersburg State University, Novosibirsk State University, and specialized institutes within the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It organizes national and regional conferences, symposia, and workshops comparable to meetings held by Russian Academy of Sciences and international forums with participation from universities like Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Stanford University, Peking University, University of Tokyo, and research centers such as Max Planck Society and CNRS. Proceedings have been presented at venues in cities including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, and Yekaterinburg.

Controversies and Criticism

The organization has faced criticism and controversy related to its status as a non-state academy, drawing scrutiny similar to debates over reforms involving Russian Academy of Sciences and public controversies referenced in outlets tied to figures like Viktor Sadovnichiy and policymakers in the State Duma. Critics have questioned standards of peer review and comparisons to established bodies such as Royal Society and National Academy of Sciences (United States), while supporters cite collaboration with universities like Moscow State University and research centers in Novosibirsk. Disputes have involved media discussions with outlets referencing personalities connected to Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and policy debates during the administrations of leaders like Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev.

Category:Scientific organisations based in Russia