Benchmarking research performance in a post-Soviet science system: the case of Armenia

Abstract Thirty years after the dissolution of the USSR, the significant disparity between the research infrastructures of former Soviet republics and Western countries remains evident. Despite various efforts to transform national research systems through policies aimed at encouraging participation in global academic networks, enhancing research quality, and disseminating results through high-impact international journals, the gap persists. This paper first examines the reforms implemented by the Armenian science system to integrate more closely with the European Research Area. It then presents the outcomes of a bibliometric research evaluation exercise, using Italy as a benchmark. Based on 2017–2021 WoS data, we measured the research productivity (scholarly impact) at the individual level of almost 4000 Armenian scientists. By aggregating this data at the meso and macro levels, we provide a comprehensive picture of the Armenian research system’s strengths and weaknesses. These insights are valuable for informing future policy interventions aimed at enhancing the science system through adaptation to global standards.