Natalya Frolova: Women hydrologists are always sought-after

09/02/2024

To achieve the crucial goals of the Agenda for Sustainable Development, more women need to be engaged in scientific and practical research.

Even though natural sciences, the creation of high technologies, and the improvement of engineering ideas are rightfully considered critical for any national economy, most countries, regardless of their level of social and economic development, still have not reached gender equality in this regard.

There have been many prominent Russian female scientists, including Sofya Kovalevskaya, the world’s first female professor of mathematics; Alexandra Glagoleva-Arkadyeva, the first Russian female physicist to gain worldwide renown in the scientific community; Yulia Lermontova, one of the first Russian female chemists. Today, there are talented women scientists in Russia who make a huge contribution to the development of natural sciences and technologies.

On the eve of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (proclaimed by resolution A/RES/70/212 at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly), Anna Benoit, Assistant Communication Specialist of the FAO Moscow Office, interviewed Natalya Frolova, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Land Hydrology, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University (Lomonosov MSU).

– Dr Frolova, what is the current role of women in natural sciences in Russia?

Since I have been working in hydrometeorology, more specifically, hydrology, for many years, I can say with confidence that women’s role in this scientific field is huge.

They work on monitoring bodies of water, process incoming information, and deal with hydrological calculations and forecasts. While they go on expeditions and scientific voyages less frequently than men, there is always an opportunity to do so if they want to. The development of our science would not have been possible without this army of female hydrologists.

– Why did you choose this exact scientific field?

It happened pretty much by chance. I graduated with honours from a good Moscow school focused on physics and mathematics and was planning to enter the Physics Faculty of Lomonosov MSU. However, taking the advice of a very good person dear to me, who described the merits of geography to me, I ended up going to the Faculty of Geography.

“I have chosen hydrology, which requires knowledge of physics, mathematics and programming, and I have never regretted it!”

At the same time, I was driven to the study of nature, water bodies, the beauty of remote expeditions and travel, which I clearly missed as a child. As a result, I graduated with honours from the Lomonosov MSU Faculty of Geography, received a qualification as a hydrologist, and then continued my graduate studies at the Department of Land Hydrology. I have worked all my life at the Department of Hydrology, worked my way up from a junior research fellow to the head of the department, and I am now combining academic and scientific work and social activism. Here, I am surrounded by like-minded, friendly, and talented people, and this is the most important thing on my scientific path.

– Have you ever faced any difficulties on our path in science? Have you encountered gender discrimination?

There have been no particular difficulties, except for those typical for all scientific workers and educators in Russia in the 1990s, when one had to think about how to earn money and put food on the table for the family. I do not even want to remember all this now, although it is part of our life. Back then, many left the university and other scientific organizations. Today, young people have completely different opportunities.

We could probably also talk about the current challenging period when scientific ties break, access to global databases decreases, and there are less opportunities for publications, participation in conferences, joint projects, etc. We will overcome it, too, of course.

As for gender discrimination, I have never encountered it in my work, there has been nothing of the kind in our university.

– What research are you doing now?

Each of us tends to have many areas of scientific activity. I like to go on expeditions: to the mountains, glaciers, rivers of Siberia, the Arctic coast, to study various water bodies in terms of hydrology, hydrochemistry and even hydrobiology. I have recently returned from an expedition to the White Sea with our students!

In recent years, we have been paying a lot of attention in our research to evaluating the impact of climate on different aspects of the river and lake life. Many works are dedicated to dangerous hydrological processes, such as floods, ice jams, and low water levels. This is one of the most in-demand scientific areas now. A search for new technologies to solve various problems is ongoing. Of course, we always strive to achieve results.

– Could you please share your plans for the future?

The short-term plans include a more detailed study of various aspects of the life of Arctic rivers in the context of climate change and the associated degradation of permafrost.

We are aimed at bringing talented and interested students to our department who can receive a modern, decent education from us. Students are our research colleagues in the full sense of the word, and many of our successes are associated with them.

– What does a girl and a woman need to build a successful career in science in the modern world, and what advice would you give to those who want to dedicate their lives to science?

Nothing changes as years go by. You need to love your science, be hardworking, interested, somewhat selfless and lucky. You have to have deep knowledge of your subject, foreign languages, and modern technologies related to this field of knowledge.

It is also important to choose the right university, faculty, scientific advisor, and an interesting topic. Then, of course, study a lot and work hard, and success will come!

– On behalf of the FAO Office in Moscow, I would like to thank you, Natalya Frolova, for the interesting conversation! We sincerely wish you and all your colleagues working in science creative success, good health, and new discoveries!

Short biographical profile:

Natalya Frolova (born in the city of Zhukovsky in the Moscow Region) is a geographer, hydrologist, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, professor, has been successfully working in science for over 40 years. She has been the Head of the Department of LandHydrology of the Lomonosov MSU Faculty of Geography since 2015. Natalya Frolova delivers lectures and holds practical classes for the River Hydrology, Hydrology, Hydrological Forecasts, Modern Hydrometeorology Problems courses, etc., and conducts practical trainings in mountain hydrology for hydrology students.

Her main scientific achievements include: theoretical foundations and methods for ensuring safe water use in the context of natural and anthropogenic changes in the stream flow; the concept of hydroecological safety of water use based on the formalization of various types of hydrological restrictions and determining the conditions for organizing the cost-efficient and environmentally safe use of water resources; patterns of modern distribution and changes in water resources for individual regions of the Russian Federation, and others.

She is a member of thesis boards and is on the editorial board of a number of journals.

She has published 520 scientific works, including 40 monographs and textbooks, and seven candidate theses have been defended under her guidance.

On 18 October 2023, Natalya Frolova took part in the scientific and practical conference “Water is life, water is food” within the World Food Day, which was organized by the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation together with the UN Information Centre in Moscow and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) named after Patrice Lumumba.