Points | Research Profile Olga Balakina
This profile is originally from the magazine Points that can be downloaded here.
Balancing passion, parenthood, and academia
A passion for learning and an interest in solving complex problems are key to academic research. It is not surprising, then, that Olga’s research journey began in early childhood: “I have always been a bit academically inclined because I loved school. I loved learning about things and I’m lucky to have quite a good memory.”
Olga joined SAFE in October 2023 as a Postdoctoral Researcher for Household Finance. Fate brought her to SAFE, she suggests, for as soon as she heard about the position, she was confident her application would be accepted. Before joining SAFE, her passion for learning led her to study mathematical economics at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. Olga’s identity is deeply rooted in her nationality. “Despite the political shadows cast over it, I don’t think that I will ever be able to deny my heritage.”
Looking back, Olga recalls the challenges and triumphs of tackling new subjects during her undergraduate studies, including in particular the dramatic progress she made in programming. “Going from the lowest grade on my first exam to the highest grade in basic C++ programming on my last exam is one of the accomplishments that I’m very proud of in my life,” she emphasizes.
From career aversion to research passion
While pursuing her master’s degree in Moscow, Olga found herself immersed in a competitive and intellectually stimulating environment at the International College of Economics and Finance. Thanks to the broad curriculum, which ranged from advanced theoretical courses to practical tutorials on mergers and acquisitions, she discovered her aversion to certain career paths, which paved the way for her eventual embrace of academia. “That’s when I realized I didn’t want to dive too deep into the world of M&A,” she recalls.
Teaching became an integral part of her academic journey, providing short-term goals and opportunities to share her knowledge. Yet, as her research interests blossomed, she found herself drawn more towards pure research, albeit with occasional bittersweet feelings. “I think teaching helps to satisfy this need for short-term goals,” she admits, “but for now, I am very happy being in a pure research position.”
A balancing act: Motherhood and academia
Motherhood has brought a new dimension to Olga’s life, forcing her to balance the demands of academia with the joys and responsibilities of raising her son. Despite the time constraints of childrearing, her passion for her work remains undiminished, fueled by the desire to set an example for her son and find fulfillment in her career. “It’s always heartbreaking when he asks why I don’t pick him up in the middle of the day,” she confides. However, whenever Olga is unable to fetch her son, her husband, Claes Bäckman, who is also a Postdoctoral Researcher at SAFE, is quick to assist. “I am very thankful to have a supporting husband like Claes who shares the mental load of being a parent with me equally.”
When she finds some time away from work, she loves to indulge in British detective stories and comic books. “I am quite the geek and love superheroes such as Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman.”
Olga Balakina is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the SAFE Research Department Household Finance.
