RASA Statement in Support of Professor Sergei Erofeev
The Russian-American Scientific Association (RASA) strongly condemns the ongoing practice of designating world-renowned Russian scientists as “foreign agents.” It appears that the Russian regime is no longer satisfied with declaring RASA an “undesirable organization”: it is now consistently persecuting its members and public representatives, labeling them “foreign agents.”
This time, Russian authorities have added RASA President Sergei Erofeev, a sociologist, to the “foreign agent” registry. We view this decision as politically motivated and aimed at further undermining international scientific cooperation, academic solidarity, and the principles of open science.
Sergei Erofeev is a renowned sociologist and researcher of culture, social change, Russian emigration, state-society relations, and the cultural foundations of authoritarian and mafia-like governance. In 2024, he was elected President of RASA for the 2025–2026 term. Previously, he worked at Rutgers University in the United States, served as Vice Rector for International Relations at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, was Dean of International Programs at the European University at St. Petersburg, and was the founder and director of the Center for Cultural Sociology at Kazan Federal University. Over the years, Sergey Erofeev has developed international academic programs, research networks, and projects in the fields of cultural sociology, global education, and the study of new Russian emigration.
His professional biography exemplifies what the Russian authorities are currently trying to portray as a threat: an international scientific reputation, an independent research position, participation in global academic dialogue, and efforts to maintain ties between Russian-speaking scientists around the world. It is precisely these scientists who, for decades, have maintained the presence of Russian science in the international arena, developed academic exchanges, created educational programs, and helped Russian universities become part of the global scientific community.
Attempts to pressure scientists like Sergei Erofeev discredit the very system of governance and expose the Russian authorities to ridicule both in Russia and abroad. Unfortunately, these short-sighted actions also cause irreparable damage to the future of Russian science. It is now clear that independent scientific thought, international cooperation, and the very idea of free science are becoming targets for the Russian authorities.
We call on academic communities, universities, and research organizations in the United States, Europe, and other democratic countries to express solidarity with Sergei Erofeev and all scientists persecuted by authoritarian and politically repressive states. We also call on the international scientific community to prevent the normalization of repressive practices against scientists, academic associations, and transnational scientific networks.