Russian higher education has done more to integrate western norms and standards than virtually any other national institution. Yet Russia’s universities and research institutes continue to face economic and political headwinds that raise questions about their ability to compete in a global marketplace. The Kennan Institute conducted a conference on April 23rd that addressed the challenges confronting Russian higher education domestically and internationally.

9:00am-10:30am Panel One: The Reforms of Russian Higher Education

Carter Johnson, Country Director, Russia, American Councils for International Education
Harley Balzer, Associate Professor, Georgetown University
Irina Dezhina, Head of the Economics of Science and Innovations Division, Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences

10:30am-10:45am: Break

10:45am-12:30pm Panel Two: The Broader Policy Considerations of Russian Higher Education Reform

Marina Lebedeva, Professor, Department of World Politics, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO)
Peter Rutland, Professor, Wesleyan University
Andrei Korobkov, Professor, Middle Tennessee State University
Richard Sakwa, Professor, University of Kent