University mergers in Russia: four waves of educational policy

This article is aimed at identifying key peculiarities of such type of educational policy as university mergers -their main stages, types and declared aims. During the research we analyzed cases of university mergers and takeovers since 1990s to present moment which allowed for identifying and describing four Russia - specific educational policy waves. Based on the authors' classification, there are given basic characteristics for each of identified waves: «Universitization», «Federal Universities)), «Optimization», «Pillar Universities)). Classification grounds include such possible forks as similarity of university academic profiles, formal hierarchy of uniting organizations, remote geographical positions, and, importantly, subject of decision making concerning mergers. Besides that, the article for the first time introduces into the context of university merger research such notions as «mobilization», «optimiza-tion», and «reprofilization» describing basic motives of university reorganization. Prevailing motive behind each of the merger waves is also given. The research presented can be continued in the form of detailed analysis of university mergers process with particular attention to «human factor» of merger procedure and creation of new organizational culture in merged universities. The results of this research can be used in planning potential mergers and evaluating completed university reorganizations.