Ella Rossman about gender studies and living in UK

A doctoral student at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies in University College London shares her experiences

Historical perspectives on gender, Russian academic 'purges', UK research funding, finding employment, and living in bustling London. We discussed this with Ella Rossman, a gender researcher.

Tell us about yourself and your research, Ella.

I'm currently finishing my PhD in History at UCL's School of Slavonic and East European Studies. I am a Soviet Union historian who studies the country through the lens of gender. My research goal is to gain knowledge about how girls were raised in late Soviet society, what the discourse about their upbringing was like, what the practices of upbringing were like, and what the lives of girls growing up in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s were like. You could say that my research focuses on understanding our grandparents, mothers, aunts, and other older female relatives. In addition, I have taught at my own university, at the Faculty of History, the School of Slavic Studies, and the School of European Languages and Cultures. I additionally run a Telegram channel where I actively promote the field I work in.

I'm typically interested in Soviet history, particularly novel approaches that allow us to comprehend not political history, but the history of everyday life and socioeconomic inequality in the Soviet Union. I'm also interested in Soviet ideology: how it actually influenced individuals, or how it may have had less of an impact than previously thought. These are the questions I'm aiming to answer from a gender viewpoint. Gender politics and women's emancipation were clearly important aspects of the official language. I'd like to know how it directly affected the lives of women and girls in the USSR, as well as how the slogans related with actual advancements in education and upbringing.

You've previously studied and taught in Russia, correct?

Before that, I graduated HSE University (Moscow) and began writing my dissertation at the historical postgraduate school. I also taught in the Faculty of Humanities and worked in a research center. When I started my postgraduate education in 2020, I realized how quickly the degree of independence in Russian science was diminishing. A lot of subjects were already considered politicized or undesirable, and there were increasing restrictions. These restrictions were layered on top of common prejudices which are sadly widespread in Russian universities. When I started working on my dissertation in Russia, I discovered that I was unable to explore my topic in the manner that I desired, utilizing the techniques that stimulated my interest, namely gender history methodologies. They even tried to make me remove the word 'gender' from the title of my thesis.

The postgraduate curriculum did not suit me either because there was inadequate funding and a large number of classes and bureaucracy. There was not much time for my own research - this is a defining aspect of Russian postgraduate study. Postgraduates are burdened with numerous totally useless tasks. In addition, my colleagues, the HSE professors, started to be fired for political reasons. I, too, encountered difficulties as a result of my opinions and my open opposition to the university's political purges. After considering all of this, I concluded that it would make far more sense to write my dissertation in another country.

How did you end up in the United Kingdom?

I applied to the US, UK, Sweden, Germany, and Austria. I received two offers, one from Oxford and one from University College London, both with a full scholarship to work on my research. I choose the second option.

International students must pay outrageous costs for their education in England. Our university charges more than 20,000 pounds for a year of education. You also must live in London on something else, and it is an extremely expensive city. I would never have been able to afford that amount of money in my life, so I looked into every possible scholarship opportunity that would pay the price. In the end, I received an internal UCL scholarship called the Research Excellence Scholarship. It includes not only money for study and life, but also a nice bonus in the form of an annual budget that may be used for research trips, conferences, additional education, and even necessary equipment. I got a new computer for work and enrolled in a nonfiction writing course taught by a Guardian journalist.

I learned how to write university applications on my own and made a lot of mistakes in the process. My spouse, who is also a researcher and was writing his dissertation in Vienna at the time, helped me out a little, but he had already finished his PhD. I hired the private consultancy once; I had the specialist read my applications, give me external input, and slightly correct my English. It was quite useful, as she had extensive professional experience. Of course, applying on your own is difficult. Western educational systems are vastly different from Russian one.

I had hoped to work for Russian science and to advance historical science in my home country. I had such a dream. I hadn't considered studying abroad for a long time, so I arrived in England with few expectations. I just hoped that it would be a place where I wouldn't be censored, where I'd have more resources and intellectual stimulation. Unfortunately, academic training in Russia is not at the highest level.

What can you say about your time studying and living in London? How are you feeling here?

My experience of studying for a PhD in the British academy is extremely great, I enjoy it. I learned a variety of skills, including linguistics and research. I've traveled to conferences in Japan, Iceland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, among other locations. Now, I believe it is critical not just to have abstract expectations, but also to go to a new place with the goal of getting the most out of the resources available. This approach is the most effective and straightforward path to get a truly high-quality, multidimensional education that will lead to career chances.

It's crucial to note that I reside in London, which doesn't accurately reflect the realities of the rest of England. Writing a dissertation in London is ideal because it is a city with numerous opportunities, museums, theatres, and hundreds of different universities and colleges. The advantage of studying here is that you can absorb as much as you can from the city and educational environment. The only restriction is your own time and energy. The disadvantage, of course, is that London is a chaotic, noisy, and costly city. The scholarship only allows you to live modestly, it's about personal stress. I wouldn't want to continue working in London since I still desire a quiet, peaceful existence and an opportunity, for example, to buy my own home. Nonetheless, living and studying here is an amazing experience that may teach you a lot.

There was a transition period that overlapped with the start of a major war in 2022. I had just gone when Russia invaded Ukraine a few months later. It's a difficult combination of adaptation and stress that has been a significant life problem for me. Unfortunately, many students are already living in this stress and pressure from the start of their admissions and relocation processes. I cannot image how difficult it must be.

I also struggled with the language, because the language you study in the best school or university is not the same as a real spoken or academic language. Furthermore, England is distinguished by its numerous accents.

What plans do you have for the future?

For the time being, I'm just considering having an academic profession. This is what I genuinely want to take on, and I've had this aim since I finished my bachelor's degree. I believe I have a good chance of doing it. Competition for academic jobs is fierce, there are several serious requirements to meet. You need publications, instructional experience, and the capacity to do so-called outreach, which means not only writing research but also communicating it to the public beyond the academia.

An academic profession is a viable option, but only if you are willing to relocate and accept a slower career advancement than in other fields, as well as if you understand how to deal with stress. I'm applying for postdoctoral opportunities and am nearing the end of my dissertation. I'm trying to study as much as I can about the English labour market, but I'll also apply to other countries to avoid limiting myself. By the way, when it comes to employability skills, universities are actively preparing students for them. There are numerous career events, workshops, discussions, and counselling opportunities. For anyone considering an academic career, or any other vocation, I strongly advise you not to miss these events and to take advantage of all available prospects for your future.