On changes in the State scientific publishing policy, the “White List”, and the prospects for the development of Russian scholarly journals

Since 2022, Russia’s state scientific and publication policy has undergone significant changes. Over three years of navigating new conditions shaped by sanctions and restricted access to international scientometric databases (Web of Science and Scopus) imposed by the companies owning these resources, the effects have been far-reaching. For more than 12 years, the reporting on scientific research results was primarily based on publications in journals indexed in these databases. Consequently, at the beginning of 2022, steps were taken to establish a national system for evaluating the effectiveness of scientific research and development. The journey was challenging, but by late 2024, it culminated in the decision to create a Unified State List of Scientific Publications, also known as the “White List”. This decision effectively abolished the “List of Peer-Reviewed Scientific Journals in Which the Main Scientific Results of Dissertations Should Be Published” (the VAK List). In the closing days of 2024, the Russian Scientific Information Center (RSIC) presented a draft of the “Methodology for Forming and Categorizing the Unified State List of Scientific Publications – the White List” to the members of the new Interdepartmental Working Group (IWG) tasked with its formation and updating. The introduction of this draft sparked reflections on the state policy over recent years that influenced the development of Russian scientific journals. Based on an analysis of the content of the draft “Methodology”, several comments were made regarding its specific provisions, the requirements for Russian journals outlined in the appendices, and the criteria for expert evaluation of publications. These criteria, as currently formulated, are unlikely to provide an objective assessment of the quality of Russian journals and require substantial refinement. Some of the requirements for Russian journals outlined in the “Methodology” may necessitate further state decisions, particularly those related to distinguishing scientific periodicals as a separate category from the broader flow of mass media (including print and online publications). Adjustments to specific legislative acts may also be required, recognizing the editorial and publishing professional community in the scientific sphere as an essential part of the broader scientific community. This recognition is crucial for contributing to the reports on the results of scientific research and development.

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