I’m collecting publications for an EB-1A. Some VAK (ВАК)-listed journals ask for an “expert opinion” — I don’t really understand what that is or where to obtain one. Has anyone done this, or did you just look for another journal without that requirement?
This is a clearance for the journal itself stating that the article may be published in open print (i.e., that it does not contain classified, prohibited, etc. information). It is usually issued by the author’s organization — a university, a research institute (НИИ), the employer, the science department, an expert commission, the First Department (первый отдел), etc.
If you’re submitting as an independent researcher or have trouble obtaining such a letter, I would recommend just submitting to a different journal. Hardly anyone worries about this; maybe their editor-in-chief just really likes to cover their bases in light of recent events.
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oh, this expert is such a nitpicker) I’ve seen a case where someone just switched to other journals that don’t require that, and the case went through fine. Don’t get hung up on one journal — for EB-1A the overall publication record matters more than a specific journal.
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