Scientific fraud in Russia and other post-Soviet countries

Andrei A. Rostovtsev, Mikhail S. Gelfand and Larisa G. Melikhova

Chapter 17 in Handbook on Corruption in Higher Education, 2025, pp 278-295 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: In recent decades, corruption has become widespread in the Russian scientific community and higher education sector. Dissernet, a volunteer community network founded in 2013, has been systematically investigating these issues, accumulating a substantial dataset over ten years. This dataset includes 12,000 dissertations and over 5,000 scientific publications, revealing widespread plagiarism and fabrication. Dissernet's efforts have resulted in the revocation of approximately 81% of the challenged degrees. Despite the advent of plagiarism detection services, new fraudulent practices have emerged, such as translation plagiarism. Dissernet has also uncovered cases of data fabrication and falsification. The drive for increased international publication has fostered co-authorship markets, revealing over 500 cases of purchased authorship. The complicity of university leadership and government agencies in these violations is evident. The influence extends beyond Russia, affecting neighboring countries and spawning dissertation tourism. Recent trends indicate an increase in rejected appeals, reflecting the difficult political and psychological climate.

Keywords: Academic misconduct; Plagiarism; Data manipulation; Dissertation mills; Degree revocation; Article retraction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035320233
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