Dissertation council in the state scientific certification system: Organizational and management mechanisms of digital transformation

Currently, there is a need to refine the underlying mechanisms of dissertation councils as key elements of the state scientific certification system in Russia. Amid digital transformation and new work formats emerging, it is becoming increasingly relevant to optimize procedures for expert evaluation of dissertations. The article establishes and analyzes pathways to improve the organizational-managerial mechanism of the functioning of dissertation councils in the context of digital transformation. We focus on modernization of approaches to creating dissertation councils and revising the principles of their functioning, as well as the introduction of digital technologies into expert procedures and transformation of the permitting processes associated with the council formation service provided by the state. The paper also raises the issues of enhancing the efficiency of public functions in the field of scientific qualification evaluation, including adaptation of management structures to the requirements of the digital economy. The research methodology is based on public administration theory, public service logic, the process approach, and the concept of digitalization. Normative analysis, dynamic analysis and business process analysis were applied. The evidence base covers legal regulations stipulating the mechanisms of organizational and managerial transformation of the state scientific certification system. Due to digitization of the scientific certification process, the procedure for establishing dissertation councils has been significantly simplified. The integration of the electronic document management system using the platform Gosuslugi has shortened the list of required documents and reduced the timeframes for providing the service. We propose an algorithm for the transition to a registry-based model that increases the transparency and accessibility of information about dissertation councils, and identify the promising forms of council organization, including one-time councils, considering best practices of degree-awarding bodies. A proposal is made to align preparation and scientific certification procedures with the help of permanent dissertation councils.