Faculty Development in Russian Higher Education

This work summarizes results from three studies of the current state of higher education faculty development in Russia. Positive aspects include its support for societal change, content focus, regularity, systematic nature, governmental support, established tradition, encouragement of graduate work, career-long continuity, institutional control, and development of lecture skills. Problematic aspects currently include an over-emphasis on memorization, severe under-funding, uneven quality of faculty development programs, and lack of attention to student involvement, faculty research, and ethics. International exchange programs appear important for Russian faculty development, but language facility is a main factor limiting participation in exchanges, study abroad, and Internet usage. Recommendations are made for further research and for the policies of international non-profit organizations, government agencies, and professional faculty development organizations.