ONCE AGAIN ABOUT EXPERTS, INDEPENDENT EXPERTISE, AND EXPERT COUNCILS

Abstract

The article examines the recent active public debate concerning the organization of expert activity in Russia. Along with terminological ambiguity in this area, there are significant issues related to the status of the expert, expert’s independence, and the general devaluation of expert opinion. The activity of expert councils formed under the executive authorities is subject to particular criticism both from the citizens and the state. At the same time, special attention is paid to the participation of the scientific community in the independent expertise of programs, projects, and decisions. In this connection, according to the results of the meeting of the Council on education and science, the list of instructions of the President of the Russian Federation provides for the introduction of amendments into the legislation concerning the concept “scientific (scientific-technical) expertise”. It is necessary to establish the criteria and mechanisms for this expertise, as well as the rules for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of budgetary allocations for state support of scientific research and development.