‘At the start of our careers, each of us has a huge advantage—the right to still be in the dark about some things and to be learning how things are done’

Valeria Vlasova researches innovations and how they affect the economy and society. Here, she tells the HSE University Young Scientists project when she first got the idea to go into science, where to read about trends in the development of Russian science and innovation and what her everyday life is like.

Why I decided to go into science

I feel uncomfortable every time I’m asked this question. I can’t relate the usual story of how I was inspired by the biography of a famous scientist or by some scientific discovery, or that I come from a long line of scientists.

The idea of pursuing science came to me rather unexpectedly, on an ordinary day. It was in 2012 and I was an undergraduate student at the HSE University Faculty of Economic Sciences—which at that time was located on the Shabolovka campus, a newly restored complex of historic buildings. And in the 3rd building, where the teaching staff of the faculty was mainly located, I was struck by a sign reading ‘PhD so and so’ showing the abbreviation of the academic degree and the name of the professor. The thought instantly flashed through my head: ‘How beautiful!’ and I immediately began imagining how this abbreviation would look next to my last name. Only sometime later did I realise that this had been the day when I had made the first unconscious decision to link my life with science.

During my studies, I worked as a teaching assistant, participated in student scientific conferences, and even wrote my first scientific article, but it wasn’t until a few years later that I came to work at the university. The turning point came when my PhD supervisor, Vitaly Rud, invited me to join the research projects of the HSE ISSEK Laboratory for the Economics of Innovation.

The subject of my research

In a broad sense, I am engaged in the study of innovation—the study of how new knowledge is created, disseminated and used and how it ultimately transforms the economy and society.

Our team addresses various issues, both applied and fundamental. These include improving the conceptual foundation for researching innovation at the level of countries, individual sectors and companies; the development of statistical measurement methods; methodology for monitoring and modeling innovation processes, including their harmonisation with international standards; conducting specialised surveys and monitoring and analysing the results of statistical observations; and developing recommendations and publishing materials in the interests of the expert and scientific community. Because my work addresses a wide range of issues, I am simultaneously engaged in scientific and administrative activities. I also teach.

What I am proud of

Each stage of a scientific career is characterised by its own significant results: the first presentation at an international scientific conference; the first publication in a high-ranking indexed journal; obtaining an academic degree, etc. And all of them are reasons to be proud. But over time, their value decreases, and it always seems that some important new result is just ahead.

At the moment, I am happy to have achieved tangible results in each of my areas of activity. After defending my Ph.D. thesis, it became possible to develop new research approaches, devote more time to working on projects, prepare analytical publications, as well as update the training courses that I teach in the Science, Technology and Innovation Management and Policy programme at ISSEK.

For example, we published a number of informational and analytical materials last year based on the results of fundamental research at HSE University and the Man in the Age of Open Innovations programme at NCMU, as well as on the basis of statistical data on the development of innovation activity in Russia. They look at issues of innovation development in Russia: the climate and conditions for innovation; the culture of innovation within companies; specific strategies and the effectiveness of innovation; and the scientific and innovative potential of the economy.

Also, we teamed up with some colleagues and just recently released a new edition of the infographic report Russian Science in Numbers: 2023. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it includes almost all key indicators that characterise the current state of science and technology as well as trends in their development. The analysis of how data have changed (since 2010) and international comparisons provide a comprehensive picture of the resource potential, specialisation, results, demand and social effects of scientific and technological activities in Russia.

A typical day

My mornings always start early with physical activity. I eat a delicious breakfast and walk the dog and also work out several times a week. On weekdays, these are workouts in the gym; on weekends, it is a walk in the forest: in winter, it’s on skis and in summer, on foot. I like that most people are still sleeping at this time and so there’s no one to distract you in various ways: you can spend time with your family, think without interruption and gather strength for the whole day.

Then I spend most of the day in the office at work. A great joke comes to mind from the web comic Piled Higher and Deeper about what professors spend their working hours on. It was published 15 years ago and is based on data from 1999, but is still quite relevant. In general, at work, I constantly discuss, decide, read, calculate or write something, but in my heart I just dream of doing the research I want.

Advice for those choosing a career path

My main advice is to simply try. I know it’s scary, but at the start of our careers, each of us has a huge advantage—the right to still be in the dark about some things and to be learning how things are done. I remember wanting someone to give me definite advice on what I should do. But that doesn’t work and, more often than not, it leads to regrets about years wasted. Therefore, when making career decisions, I would advise you to always weigh two considerations: your interests (what activities you are attracted to and why) and opportunities (what I am able to do now and what more I can learn). Determine your goal where these two intersect and look at your options.

My favourite place in Moscow

Because I was born and raised in Moscow, I have fond memories of many places. The first ones that come to mind are Sushchevskaya Street, where my school was located, Volkhonka Street, or rather, the main building of the Pushkin Museum, where once a month on Saturdays I went as a child, and Pokrovsky Boulevard, where I spent my first year of student life. Now I like walking in the city centre, but more often I prefer parks, my favourite of which is Serebryany Bor.