The Moscow Humanities University (Shaninka), founded in 1995 by British sociologist Theodore Shanin, has been stripped of its accreditation. The decision comes at a time of increasing restrictions on independent academic institutions in Russia. Shaninka was previously considered one of the leading humanities universities in the country, and its loss of accreditation has sparked concerns about the state of academic freedom and institutional independence in Russia.
The closure of Shaninka is part of a broader trend of government intervention in higher education. In recent years, the Russian authorities have imposed tighter regulations on universities, requiring them to align with state-approved curricula and ideological frameworks. The loss of accreditation for Shaninka has drawn criticism from international academic circles, who view it as an attack on intellectual autonomy and academic freedom.
Shanin, who founded Shaninka, has been a vocal critic of the Russian government’s approach to education and has frequently called for greater academic independence. The revocation of accreditation has raised questions about the impact of political pressure on universities and the sustainability of independent academic institutions in the country.