Russia elects new science chief
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Fortov, whose research into high-density plasma has won international acclaim, told reporters on Wednesday that his key goal as RAS president would be to turn the academy into a generator of
ideas for the betterment of the country. “The academy has good potential…and must take a more active, I would even say slightly aggressive, position [in generating ideas],” he said. He
added that he intended to curb bureaucracy in scientific institutions and establish close ties between fundamental research bodies and industrial enterprises. “We are choked by bureaucracy,
with the number of [regulatory] documents, reports and senseless notes exceeding all logical limits,” Fortov said in response to persistent criticism that the RAS had become ineffective and
should be disbanded. In addition, the academician vowed to establish “constructive collaboration” with the Education Ministry in light of the long-running conflict that recently saw him and
Alfyorov quit the ministry’s Public Council. _Updates with Fortov’s post-election statement in paras 5-9_