Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
RUDN University announced the results of its competition among student scientific societies and research clubs. The GreenLab of the Institute of Ecology was named the best student scientific society, the Institute of Foreign Languages took second place, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences took third place.
The scientific club competition "Project Initiative: Organizers and Leaders of Healthcare" from the Institute of Medicine won. Second place was shared between the scientific club competition "Olympiad Movement: Mathematics" from the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences and "Forensic Medicine at RUDN University." Bronze went to the scientific club competition in cardiology and the "Literary Salon" from the Institute of Russian Language.
We decided to write about each of the scientific societies and clubs, starting with the best of the best. Its chairperson, Alexandra Erbaeva, a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Ecology and Nature Management, shared the story of GreenLab's creation, how the society supports students in their studies and personal growth, what sets the society apart from other student organizations at the university, and the future goals of GreenLab activists.
Tell us about GreenLab for those who don't know about you yet. How would you describe the community in three words?
GreenLab is a community of students united by ideas and a desire to solve global problems of sustainable development and ecology. For several years, our NSO has been a symbiosis of science, travel, volunteering, and environmental education. We bring together not only young scientists and early-career researchers, but also anyone who considers caring for nature and the surrounding world part of their life's journey. "Make science green again" is the motto we live by at GreenLab.
How and when did the community emerge, and where did its name come from? Who were its founders, and how has it evolved since its inception?
This year, the RUDN University Volunteer Educational Commission (NEC) turns six. In 2019, a group of passionate students formed the university's volunteer and educational commission, Ecotunity. It consisted primarily of students from the Faculty of Ecology (now the Institute of Ecology). Then, that same year, thanks to Ilya Vlasov from the Law School, the RUDN University Volunteer Educational Commission (NEC) began to be revived. Each academic department at the university began to restore the system of scientific mentorship and actively support student research. Our team was offered to organize the NEC of the Faculty of Ecology: some remained in Ecotunity, while others founded SciGoesGreen. Most of those students have already graduated—Maria Kuznetsova, Yana Krasnova, Dmitry Pogorely, Yulia Zavyalova, Denis Tsybisov, and others. They were true enthusiasts of their field, with a passion for learning and a sparkle in their eyes, as well as great energy and a desire to do things well, not just for show. Together, we were able to organize efficient work and fine-tune various organizational aspects, uniting and aligning research, environmental education, travel, and environmental stewardship.
In 2021, we rebranded (at the same time, the Faculty of Ecology became the Institute of Ecology) and came up with a catchy and symbolic name. GreenLab means "green laboratory." It simultaneously references the scientific and environmental components of the community. We considered many options, but settled on this one. We believe it captures everything GreenLab represents—a community of young researchers with a passion for discovering new paths to improve the environment around us. We are now joined not only by students from the Institute of Ecology, but also from other faculties and institutes.
How many students are members of the NSO? Who makes up the core group, and how are community responsibilities distributed?
The organizing team consists of 15 NSO members, while there are over 100 activists and involved students. We are led by Elena Borisovna Yatsenko, Deputy Director for Research at the RUDN University Institute of Ecology. GreenLab's responsibilities are divided into departments. We have a project office (managed by Natalia Dianova), a media department led by Veronika Menshikova, a content department headed by Tatyana Berendeyeva, a public relations department (represented by Polina Gavrilova), an outdoor department led by Daniil Mironov, and a volunteer department led by Daria Dobrova. The department names reflect their activities. For example, the outdoor department organizes expeditions, weekend hikes, and research missions; the volunteer department organizes events at the institute, visits to shelters, specially protected natural areas, and rehabilitation centers; and the media department promotes our work on social media.
What are GreenLab's main areas of activity?
Our main activities include seminars, an intellectual games club, science popularization, and expeditions. We organize seminars and invite leading experts from various fields of ecology to visit us to share their experiences. Among them are scientists and ecologists from Caltech, the University of Helsinki, Skolkovo, Nanotech Industries, Constructor University Bremen, Moscow State University, the Higher School of Economics, institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other top-notch institutions. Of course, faculty from our institute also speak. We also host TED Talks, where students present their short-term research, share experiences, and stories from past expeditions. This format helps students develop their public speaking skills.
Once a month, the intellectual games club meets for "Ecomozgoboynya," "EcoSvoyak," and "Eco-ChGK." All the games focus on ecology, nature, and travel. We also host board game nights where we socialize, bond, and have fun together—after all, GreenLab is all about friendship and openness.
We strive to make science accessible to everyone and actively promote it among schoolchildren, applicants, and students. For example, we participate in Open Days, the All-Russian Science Festival NAUKA0, give lectures to schoolchildren, and help organize and conduct popular science events at our institute, such as the Decade of Environmental Science. At these events, we teach students the basics of hiking, promote a healthy lifestyle, demonstrate and explain how to distinguish minerals, properly sort waste, test water quality, create a DIY ecosystem, and much more.
Furthermore, we are environmental students, so expeditions and nature trips are not only an important part of our specialty but also a great outlet. Our activists love these trips, and we help organize them. Together with faculty and their search and rescue teams/community volunteers, our activists visit various protected areas on educational excursions, and NSO members help organize these trips as well. For example, we are currently organizing a trip to GreenLab Base Camp "Divnogorye" in the Voronezh Region. It will run from November 1st to 5th, and applications are still open. You can apply here. HTTPS: //forts. GLE/IKDORDE5TD3ZHS7.
What are GreenLab's biggest achievements, besides winning the university NSO competition?
GreenLab has won numerous awards. We are the recipients of the Russian Environmental Operator's Green Award in the Education category and the Vernadsky National Environmental Prize in the Education as a Path to Sustainable Development category. We would especially like to highlight our contributions to major environmental reports. For example, we were cited as an example of scientific research efforts in achieving sustainable development goals in the report "ESG, Decarbonization, and Green Finance in Russia 2023/2024."
Tell us about the most significant and exciting projects that NSO has implemented over the past year?
Since 2021, NSO has been organizing eco-intellectual games, which have become popular not only with students but also with schoolchildren. Last year, we held "Ecomazgoboynya" for school-aged children several times. One of the events where we presented our game was the All-Russian Nature Festival "Primordial Russia." In collaboration with the V.I. Vernadsky Foundation, we were able to diversify the workshop format and engage the children with questions about ecology and travel. Developing the game is a complex and time-consuming process, and our team includes Maria Gerasimova and Daniil Mironov, who always approach the task with great enthusiasm and interest.
Very soon (October 14-17), we will be holding an "Ecomazgobainya" for undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and young scientists at the VIII All-Russian Youth Scientific Conference with International Participation, "Current Issues of Oil and Gas," which will be held at the Institute of Oil and Gas Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Incidentally, last year, the NSO GreenLab team was awarded a first-place diploma for their collective research project, "Development and Implementation of the Intellectual Game "Ecomazgobainya," Aimed at Developing Ecological Thinking," in the "Joint Start: Let's Make Science Together" competition.
Another significant and exciting project of the past year was the first GreenLab Summer Fest for prospective students and schoolchildren, which took place on July 18th. We held the event at RUDN's Alfa Summer Space for those who wanted to learn about the Institute of Ecology, attend lectures on travel and research, and enjoy a fun time in good company. At the festival, our activists and organizers held master classes and lectures on their expeditions and research. The Kent KVN team also performed for the children, and a special event was organized. Overall, over 90 people participated in our first festival.
How does participating in GreenLab help environmental students grow professionally and personally?
By participating in the various events we organize, students can develop a variety of skills—from teamwork to expedition experience (sometimes in challenging conditions) and field research skills that aren't always available in class. Consider our TED Talks: Students format, where students overcome their fear of public speaking, a skill and experience that's important not only for ecologists and scientists but for everyone. By conducting master classes for prospective students and schoolchildren, we learn to interact with different audiences through interactive activities, learning to hold their attention, and teaching them new things. Organizational work also provides valuable experience in teamwork. We develop the ability to listen and hear each other, and to find compromises.
I can highlight a few successful cases. In 2024, a team of first-year students (our regular activists) took first place in the 13th International Environmental Olympiad of CIS Universities. That same year, NSO activist Valeria Loseva won the "Ticket to the Arctic" competition, and most recently won the "Student Startup" competition and 1 million rubles. This summer, NSO member Yevgeny Vorozhtsov won a scholarship from Alfa-Bank. In 2024, I won a scholarship from the V.I. Vernadsky Foundation and a Presidential scholarship, which allowed me to study in Kazakhstan for one semester.
Some NSO activists are already building successful careers. For example, NSO member Anastasia Kireeva, for her outstanding achievements and interest in geology, now works at the Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
What do you think made GreenLab the best student community? What was your key advantage in the competition?
As trite as it may sound, our key advantage is our student activists. We are incredibly happy and grateful to everyone who believes in us, helps us, participates in events, and remains a part of our team because of the atmosphere we create together. Our primary mission is to engage students in science, educate them, and help them conduct research, share experiences, and support their initiatives. We trust students, and students trust us. Furthermore, the work of the NSO's organizing team is undeniable. These individuals dedicate their resources to preparing and implementing all the events we plan, and they are committed to their common cause. Without a team of enthusiastic and supportive individuals, we would not have achieved such results. Thanks to the teamwork and dedication of each GreenLab member, we have become the best scientific student society at RUDN University.
What are your goals for the NSO next year? What projects are you planning?
The academic year has only just begun, and we're hard at work on new projects and are already launching them. This semester, we've placed a strong emphasis on collaboration. On September 28th, we'll be participating (including as partners) in the "From Heart to Heart" charity festival, organized by students from MEPhI, at the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve. In October, we'll be joining students from Novosibirsk State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and Novosibirsk State University (MSU) on a volunteer trip to the Bison Nursery of the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve. Together with the Institute of Oil and Gas Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, we'll be hosting our beloved intellectual game "Ecomazgoboyunya" for a wider audience. We're also in the process of creating a video program about the work of environmental scientists. And in December, we're planning a School of Science Guides for students interested in trying their hand at this role. And that's just part of our plans for this semester.
How can a student become part of GreenLab?
You need to fill out an application through the RUDN University bot — HTTPS: //t. TA/NSO_RUDN_VOTWe will process your application and then contact each student directly. We will discuss all important aspects, their wishes, and goals, and help them resolve any research-related issues. This is how newcomers will become members of our NSO.
If you're interested in the work of the NSO Institute of Ecology, you can read about their achievements and upcoming events at the following resources:
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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