Deep-Seated Problems of Science and Education: The Area of Vulnerability of Russia’s National Economic Security

There is a paradoxical situation in the world. It is becoming increasingly difficult to qualify what is happening as an expansion of military operations in the field of economics and finance or the formation of special instruments of war in them. In these conditions, the roles of economic and national economic security are changing from providing economic and financial activities to determining the very existence of the nation. A perfect system of economic and national economic security should be guided by the principle of maximizing efficiency while minimizing risks and threats. It is impossible to fulfill this requirement without science and education, as they prepare the human and intellectual potential for the expanded and safe reproduction of Russia. The article aims to show that, without detracting from the world-class achievements of our country in science and education, internal problems are growing in them, determining the areas of vulnerability of the national economic security of the Russian Federation. Attention is focused on topics representing areas of vulnerability of the Russian economy: a reduction in the number of faculty members of the country’s universities in qualitative and quantitative terms, disruption of the process of personnel reproduction in science and education, teachers and researchers receiving academic degrees of candidates and doctors of sciences. The existing dissertation defense mechanisms are analyzed and the legal and economic gaps filled by shadow relations are demonstrated. As a result, many scientists are economically unable to pay for the preparation and defense of their dissertation. The dialogue between the article’s co-authors is used as a method that allows for a comprehensive and multifaceted demonstration of the gaps and shortcomings in the mechanisms for preparing and defending dissertations in economic, legal, and ethical terms. The authors propose a national project to find a way out of this situation – the creation of the digital platform “Science and Education of Russia”. Automation and digitalization of multiple interactions will become easier, faster, more economical and more transparent for applicants and the government, displacing shadow relations.