In Science, Opposites Do Not Attract

In Science, Opposites Do Not Attract

In many scientific fields, women prefer to work with women—and men with men. Why? Elena Chechik   Photo: Only 21% of cases of scientific collaboration are purely female collaboration—that is, where both mentor and trainee are women. (Photo by This is Engineering...
Second-Class Academic Citizens

Second-Class Academic Citizens

Why Can Russian Students Not Expect to Have the Same Rights and Freedoms as Teachers? Dmitry Dubrovsky   Photos: In the Middle Ages, students hired professors at the University of Bologna. (Unknown author; Wikimedia Commons)   From the outset of university history,...
Is a Gay Student Allowed to Sing?

Is a Gay Student Allowed to Sing?

Homophobic speeches—and actions—are increasingly common in Russian universities and any objections are potentially dangerous. Dmitry Dubrovsky   Photo: Publishing any information about gender identity puts students and faculty at risk. (Photo by James A. Molnar...
Where Is “Own” Scientific Development Heading?

Where Is “Own” Scientific Development Heading?

The cost of demonstrating autarky in scientific development can be very high. Irina Dezhina   Photo: The concept of “autarky” has its roots in the Greek term meaning “self-sufficiency” or minimal dependence on the outside world. (Photo by Patrick McManaman on...
Four Million Clients?

Four Million Clients?

Is a student a source of hidden threat to a university or an ally in upholding academic freedom? The answer depends on the university’s leaders. Nina Rozhanovskaya   Photo: If a university is a corporation and higher education is a service, then a student is its...