The research of the factors of emigration from Russia taking into account regional features is a relevant topic for modern Russia. Despite essential emigration decrease of Russians, in comparison with the 1990th, a problem remains critical. Along with general tendencies, in the regions of Russia, a wide range of factors determining the scales and directions of emigration from Russia has emerged. The identification of a role and quantitative assessment of the effect of these factors will promote the creation of more effective mechanisms for the modern migration policy of the Russian Federation. We consider the scale, dynamics and specific features of the emigration of Russians in the post-Soviet period. The paper indicates the shortcomings of statistical accounting of emigrants from the Russian Federation. Several waves of emigration have been singled out, which differ significantly in their qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Based on the analysis of the constructed indicators characterizing the emigration activity of Russians, we have revealed the peculiarities of emigration in the regions of Russia. We used the regression analysis to quantify the factors responsible for the emigration activity of the population. As initial information for the analysis, we used the official data of Federal State Statistics Service on the number of the Russian citizens who have gone abroad for 2014 considering a region as well as a number of the socio-economic indexes characterizing the level and quality of life of the population. Russians from the border regions are more likely to travel to a permanent place of residence abroad than residents of other regions of the Russian Federation. In the course of time, there was a significant expansion of the directions and channels of emigration, and the socio-demographic portrait of the emigrant has also changed. Emigration from Russia has become “younger”. To a greater extent, women are involved in emigration mainly through the marriage channel. The emigration activity of Russians is significantly influenced by several factors in the regions of current residence. Among these factors, indicators that characterize tensions in regional labour markets and those that play the role of “pushing out” are particularly noted. At the same time, the restraining factor is the proportion of the population with incomes below the subsistence level. The paper also analyses the socio-demographic and economic consequences of emigration. The results of the study can be used to improve the migration policy of the Russian Federation.

In the context of globalization, Russian systems of education and science have become more open to the contacts with foreign partners. After the period of USSR’s isolation, in 1990s, Russian scientists and teachers began actively develop international partnership with foreign universities and research centers, receive grants, participate in conferences abroad, and publish in international journals. Russian graduates and postgraduates became active participants of education migration. In several years, from an ‘iron-curtain’ country Russia turned into a country that offers various forms of academic mobility for scientists, teaching staff and students. The stimulating factor for the international relations’ development was Russia’s accession to the Bologna declaration. In this research, using statistical, analytical, comparative legal, and sociological methods we clarify the term “academic mobility” in its conceptual understanding and suggest a classification of academic mobility’s types. The article describes the trends of the main forms of Russian academic mobility. Moreover, we outline ways to improve Russian national legislation for stimulating academic mobility in the interests of developing the national science and education systems. The article proposes a broad interpretation of the academic mobility’s definition as a mindset and readiness for movement (potential), as well as the actual territorial movement (academic migration) in order to receive education, advanced training, and scientific and educational activities for both students and teaching staff. The academic mobility’s types and forms can be classified in accordance with its geographical (territorial) aspect, activity, duration. Based on the classification, the article summarizes information in the context of two types of international academic mobility: incoming (entry) foreign citizens in Russia and outgoing (exit) Russian citizens from Russia. We have revealed that to a greater extent, the Russian migration legislation covers the academic mobility’s issue more than the legislation on higher education and science. In addition, the migration legislation of international academic mobility is interested more in attracting foreign students and teachers to the country, than in regulating Russian students’ and academic staf f’s mobility abroad. We have highlighted the factors impeding the realization of the Russian academic mobility’s potential and give recommendations for their elimination. The study’s results can be used in economic sociology, sociology of education, migration policy towards students.