The primary objective of this U.S.-Russia conference, proposed by Harley Balzer (Director, Russian Area Studies Program) of Georgetown University, is to bring leading Russian scholars and science policy experts to Washington, D.C. to share their knowledge and views on the changes taking place in the Russian S&T community with interested U.S. individuals. This conference in the area of social sciences fulfills the program objectives of bringing together leading experts in the U.S. and Russia to combine complementary efforts and capabilities in areas of strong mutual interest and competence on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutuality of benefit.