INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY OF UNIVERSITIES AND GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES: IS THE «THIRD MISSION» SUCCESSFUL?

Abstract

Introduction. The activity of communities of research and teaching staff, students, and administrative and managerial personnel, as well as the nature of their interactions with regional society, influence the success of universities' «third mission,» sustainable regional development, and university research. The purpose of this article is to examine the nature of interaction between research and educational communities of universities in the Ural macroregion and regional authorities in implementing the social mission of higher education and to identify the criteria and manifestations of success and failure in this process.

Materials and methods. The theoretical framework of the study is based on theories of social community, action and interaction, generations, and stakeholder theory. Empirical data were obtained from an analysis of statistics from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, websites of universities and research organizations in the Ural Federal District, and two waves of interviews with research and teaching staff and administrative and managerial personnel at universities in the district (total N=116).

Results. New data were obtained on the size of generations in the studied communities across the Ural Federal District. A relationship between the suboptimal generational structure of university communities and the demographic situation, social factors, and educational policy is identified. A characteristic feature of interactions between university communities and government structures is their strictly formalized nature and asymmetry due to differences in the scope of authority and controlled resources. The inconsistency and imbalance of this interaction is based on differences in the understanding of the management tasks facing government structures and the capabilities of universities in providing them with scientific support, as well as limited communication channels.

Discussion. The university research space serves as a social space and a mechanism for implementing the «third mission» of universities. Indicators of the success of this «third mission» are identified: programs for scientific and technological development of macroregional entities, megaprojects, and government support measures in the form of regional research grants, scholarships, and awards. Negative trends in the implementation of the social mission include the bureaucratization of university research, barriers in regulating relations between government agencies and the university research and teaching community, and an imbalance in intergenerational policies. A conclusion is drawn regarding the need to harmonize interactions between the university research and teaching community and regional government bodies within the existing unified legal framework and within the framework of shared goals and the development of appropriate social technologies.