Publications and the Dissertation Defence in Russia & the CIS Research Degrees

Why publications come before the defence

In Russian and CIS research degrees, publishing results in peer-reviewed academic journals is usually an expected part of completing a research degree, not an optional extra. Publications demonstrate that your findings have been examined by other researchers before you defend the full dissertation.

The number and type of publications expected, and which journals or lists count, are set by each institution under the relevant national framework and can differ between Russia and individual CIS countries. Confirm the current publication requirements with your department on its official page early so you can plan your research timeline.

Meeting publication requirements

Plan publications across your research period rather than rushing them at the end. Work with your scientific supervisor to identify suitable peer-reviewed venues, prepare manuscripts to the journals' standards, and allow time for the review and revision cycle, which can be lengthy.

Keep your publications closely tied to your dissertation topic, since they form part of the evidence base for your defence. Always produce original work and cite sources properly — research integrity is essential, and academic misconduct such as plagiarism or fabricated data can derail a degree.

• Plan publications across the whole programme, not just the end
• Choose peer-reviewed venues with your supervisor's guidance
• Allow time for review and revision cycles
• Keep work original and properly cited — integrity is essential

Preparing the dissertation

The dissertation is the full written account of your original research. It typically presents the problem, your methods, results and conclusions, and how your work contributes to the field. You also usually prepare a shorter summary document (an abstract or avtoreferat) that presents the dissertation's main results for review.

Formatting, length and submission rules are defined by your institution and national requirements. Follow your department's current official guidance precisely, and use your supervisor's feedback throughout the writing process.

The dissertation council (dissovet)

The defence takes place before a dissertation council (dissovet) — a formal academic body authorised to examine and decide on research degrees in a given field. The council reviews your dissertation and supporting materials, including publications, and conducts the defence.

Which council handles your defence, its composition, and the exact procedures are governed by institutional and national rules. Your department and supervisor will guide you on the council relevant to your field and the steps involved; confirm the current procedure on the official source.

• The dissovet is the academic body that examines research degrees
• It reviews the dissertation, summary and publications
• It conducts the formal defence
• Procedures are set by institutional and national rules

What the defence involves

At the defence, you present your research to the council and answer questions about your methods, results and conclusions. Reviewers or opponents may provide formal assessments of your work, and the council deliberates before reaching its decision.

Exact formats — presentation length, the role of opponents, and how the decision is recorded — vary by institution and country. A successful defence leads to the award of the research degree (the Candidate of Sciences, or a PhD where the university awards that title). Confirm the precise procedure with your institution well in advance on its official page.