On the eve of the International Women's Day, the information portal "Rusbase" published a material dedicated to the work of successful women scientists. The media conducted a kind of research, the purpose of which is to understand how women's careers are developing in Russia in areas that are traditionally considered "male": technology, science and innovation? Among the heroines of the publication is Nina Vladimirovna Smirnova, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor of the TF YURGPU(NPI), head of the Polytech project, finalist of the Up Great technological contest "The First Element".

The authors of the publication "Rusbase" talked with several women leaders of the National Technology Initiative projects. They work at the very frontier of technology: they create drones, neuroassistents, new energy sources. And they do it most often in a male company. How ladies work in these difficult areas, what is the most important thing for them in their work, whether the path to success was difficult, whether they experience inconveniences and difficulties due to their own gender identity or, moreover, discrimination – these questions are answered by the heroines of the publication.

 - If there are really few women in technology startups, in the classical sense of the word, in Russia, especially among the founders, then the situation is completely different in scientific circles, - N.V. Smirnova says in her interview. - Even among researchers in technical disciplines, there are many women. And they don't feel any misunderstanding or pressure from male colleagues. However, they don't have any head start either. Here, everyone is asked equally. I am developing mobile power plants based on hydrogen fuel cells. Last year, the team of our university entered the top three finalists of the Up Great "First Element" competition, after which the Ministry of Education and Science allocated us a grant of 30 million rubles so that we could complete the project. Our team is mainly youth. These are engineers and scientists, energetic and ambitious guys in a good way. The men and women working on the project are about 50/50. I think it only strengthens us. Of course, women in such a job have a little harder. It so happened that we need to prioritize more consciously and think more carefully about how to achieve a balance between work and family. Someone has to choose, and it's difficult. I am lucky, my family understands well why I am doing science, and calmly perceives all the problems associated with this type of activity, supports me and helps me to move on. As they say, you work during the day to keep up with others, and at night to get ahead. It's hard for me to imagine the opposite situation: in science, you have to continue studying every day, always. The world around us is changing too fast. And if you really want to create something new, you want to create, then it's impossible to just go with the flow.

The long–term successful work of the Novocherkassk scientist and a number of implemented projects are an excellent confirmation of the truthfulness of her words and the fidelity of the chosen life course. The entire team of employees of the YURSPU (NPI) is proud that talented, purposeful, wonderful women work in our ranks, who achieve success in science and other fields every day.