‘Cambridge was never the plan’: FNI researcher Serafima Andreeva receives Aker Scholarship

Researcher Serafima Andreeva at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) did not have a flawless academic record from high school to rely on. Still, through persistence, hard work and a willingness to take risks, she has earned one of Norway’s most prestigious academic scholarships.

'Your starting point does not define your future.'

‘You have to be stubborn, willing to tolerate uncertainty, and able to seize the opportunities you get,’ she says with a smile.

This autumn, Andreeva will move to Cambridge to begin a PhD at the Scott Polar Research Institute. Through the Aker Scholarship programme, young Norwegians are given the opportunity to study and conduct research at some of the world’s most prestigious and expensive universities.

‘For a long time, I thought Aker Scholarship was only for people who had perfect grades their entire lives. I was never that person,’ says Andreeva.

She describes herself as an academic underdog who took time to find her footing.

‘I had a difficult youth and spent four years finishing high school. I did not even get into sociology at first and had to find another route in. My university grades are completely average. I have never been one of those "perfect on paper" people.’

A dream scholarship

‘Aker does not only evaluate knowledge,’ Andreeva explains. ‘They also look at motivation, drive and potential.’

She spent a great deal of time on the application and received support from Aker, colleagues and professors throughout the process.
 

Admission to Cambridge itself had to be secured separately.

‘I contacted a potential supervisor at the Scott Polar Research Institute, and he supported my application. This is the environment at Cambridge that really knows the Arctic, so it was my first choice.’

Found FNI through climate interest

Andreeva holds a degree in sociology from NTNU. Her interest in climate and politics eventually led her to the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.

‘I felt there was too little focus on climate in my studies. When I started working on my master’s thesis, I wanted to find an environment that combined climate and society. FNI researcher Eivind Hjorth Mathiassen gave a guest lecture, and that is how I discovered the institute.’

She received a master’s scholarship at FNI and has stayed ever since. Today, she has worked as a researcher at the institute for four years.

‘I do not think I would have understood what I wanted from a PhD project if I had not first gained so much knowledge, experience and perspective through my work at FNI. Here I have been able to work on geopolitics, security, climate, Russia and the Arctic. I have really had room to explore and try many things.’

Trust in young researchers

She highlights several colleagues at FNI as important mentors and door-openers.

‘Arild Moe helped me understand Russia and Russian research. Svein Vigeland Rottem taught me a lot about the Arctic Council and Arctic cooperation. Andreas Østhagen and Iver B. Neumann have also given me many opportunities.’

She particularly emphasises the trust young researchers are given at FNI.

‘There is a very low threshold here. Senior researchers are not afraid to give young people responsibility. I got to represent the institute very early on, give talks and attend conferences.’

At the age of 25, she stepped in for FNI Director Iver B. Neumann during Berlin Science Week.

‘It is incredibly inspiring. They could not know whether I might say something wrong, but they gave me the opportunity anyway. Standing in that uncertainty makes you grow professionally and become a confident professional over time.’

Researching Russian security policy in the Arctic

At Cambridge, Andreeva will study Russian security policy in the Arctic, focusing particularly on the Barents Sea and the areas surrounding Svalbard.

She is interested in why Russia still appears to value stability in the north while simultaneously creating instability elsewhere.

‘Is it a paradox that Russia both creates conflict internationally and at the same time seems to want stability in the Arctic?’ she asks. ‘Globally, we see a Russia willing to issue threats and fuel conflict. But in the Barents region, Russia still appears to benefit from stability.’

She points out that cooperation in the north continues in several areas.

‘Norway and Russia still cooperate on fisheries management. Russia benefits greatly from maintaining the Svalbard Treaty, and there is still cooperation within the Arctic Council.’

Many things remain relatively stable in the Arctic, and Andreeva believes that stability is actively maintained.

‘I want to study the logic behind that stability. Where does the desire for calm come from? Is this a unique case? How can peaceful cooperation be maintained in an area marked by such high tensions?’

‘I am good at seizing opportunities’

Before even starting her PhD, Andreeva has already built an impressive list of scientific publications, conference presentations and media contributions.

She hopes her story can encourage other young people dreaming of research careers or studies abroad.

‘You don't have to be the top student in your class. Your starting point does not define your future.’

She points out that she is a first-generation immigrant with working-class parents.

‘Cambridge was never the plan. But I am good at seizing opportunities, being creative and daring to step into the unknown.’

Room to grow without perfectionism

Andreeva believes she has come this far because she is stubborn, ambitious and willing to try.

FNI Senior Research Fellow Svein Vigeland Rottem, who has worked closely with her, agrees. ‘Serafima is fearless and bold,’ he says. ‘A diamond that will now be polished at Cambridge.’

FNI Research Professor Arild Moe adds: ‘Serafima is imaginative and quick to formulate research questions. At the same time, she listens carefully to other people’s input. It is always enjoyable to discuss ideas with her.’

Andreeva herself appreciates having worked in an environment where perfectionism is not everything.

‘Fortunately, I have had supervisors and senior colleagues who are not perfectionists themselves, but who focus more on trying, learning and growing.’

‘What do you like most about being a researcher?’
‘Freedom. One hundred percent,’ Andreeva replies immediately.

Academia on steroids

She has never been to Cambridge before, but she has seen photos of Corpus Christi College.

‘It looks exactly like Hogwarts. Academia on steroids,’ she laughs.

What is she looking forward to the most?
‘Walking through the beautiful old streets in the rain, listening to Satie, sitting in cafés and writing important things.’

And what worries her?
‘Honestly, nothing. I love radically changing my life and doing completely new and unfamiliar things.’

Music, chess and political engagement

Alongside her research, Andreeva is deeply interested in both music and chess.

She attended a music programme in high school, plays piano, sings and does music production.

‘Even though I did not pursue music professionally, I am happy to still have it in my life as a hobby.’

Last year, she placed second in the Norwegian women’s amateur chess championship. She can also be described as politically engaged.

‘I will continue attending Palestine solidarity demonstrations. Social scientists have a responsibility to share what they see in the world.’

‘Academia does not have to feel so mysterious’

Andreeva moved to Norway from Russia at the age of six and speaks Russian fluently. She does not believe her Russian background will be a problem in England.

‘I am arriving as a Norwegian researcher from a Norwegian research institute with a Norwegian scholarship. Even though I am both Norwegian and Russian, I believe I will be seen as a Norwegian researcher in England.’

She sees her identity as reflecting a changing world.

‘There are so many people with mixed backgrounds today. If someone has a problem with that, it probably says more about them than about me.’

She hopes more young people will dare to pursue research careers, even if they do not feel like "perfect students". 

‘Academia needs to stop taking itself so seriously. It does not have to feel so mysterious, and you do not have to be flawless to belong there.’

Her own path into research has been shaped by opportunities, but also by her willingness to seize them.

‘I have dared to try new things and stand in uncertainty.’

Then she smiles.

‘Perfectionism holds people back. It is just not for me.’

Text: Anna Valberg