Sanctions on Russian researchers may slow down global science, expert warns

SIRIUS /Federal Territory/, November 27. /TASS/. Restrictions on Russian researchers will slow scientific development worldwide, Andrey Naumov, head of the Troitsk Separate Division of the Lebedev Physical Institute, department chief at Moscow State Pedagogical University, and vice president of the International Commission for Optics (ICO), told TASS on the sidelines of the Fourth Young Scientists Congress.
According to him, the restrictions imposed in recent years include the suspension of cooperation with Russian researchers in international projects, such as the Large Hadron Collider, as well as a ban on the publication of Russian researchers’ works in several foreign journals. Scientific data exchanges, which facilitate the development of new solutions and technologies globally, are also hindered, the researcher said.
“In my view, these decisions were absolutely ill-advised. I am sure that the restrictions will delay the development of basic and applied science for years to come, not just in our country, but worldwide. On the other hand, any crisis opens up new opportunities for development, albeit under difficult circumstances. We need to rely more on ourselves, think about localizing research projects and technologies, and develop the real sector of the economy, engaging leading scientific schools,” Naumov noted.
The researcher mentioned the Nasha Laba project as an example of how domestic producers could realize their potential in terms of scientific device engineering, software development, and materials science. He stressed, however, that aside from the pressure of sanctions on Russia, “there are also constructive forces in the world,” as evidenced by Russia’s involvement in the leadership of the International Commission for Optics.
The Fourth Young Scientists Congress is taking place in the Sirius Federal Territory on November 27-28. It brings together over 7,000 participants from 40 countries. According to the organizers, this is the largest platform for dialogue between researchers in advanced and fundamental science, government officials, and the real sector of the economy. The BRICS group’s forum for young scientists and competition among young innovators are also being held here.
The congress is organized by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Coordination Council on Youth in Science and Education under the Russian Presidential Council for Science and Education, the National Priorities Autonomous Non-Profit Organization, and the Roscongress Foundation. TASS is the event’s information partner.