ACADEMIC POTENTIAL OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF UKRAINE

Topicality. The Southern region of Ukraine has significant economic and scientific potential. There is a prospect of using it more effectively for the economic and social development of the region, especially in the context of wartime challenges and post-war innovation recovery. Analyzing the academic potential of young scientists in the region and identifying the factors that limit its realization will allow us to develop recommendations aimed at improving their skills, stimulating grant activities, ensuring academic mobility and spreading innovations. A key factor in strengthening the academic potential of young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine is to attract investment from the state, local governments, and businesses to modernize scientific infrastructure, provide free access to modern information resources, support innovative projects, and improve the skills of scientists. Young scientists are the catalyst for innovation, capable of developing new technologies, implementing startups, and integrating modern trends into science. For the successful development of the region's innovation ecosystem, it is necessary to create an effective mechanism for interaction between all its participants. Creating a common platform for sharing knowledge, ideas, and needs will help overcome information barriers, promote investment, and accelerate innovation. Aim and tasks. The purpose of the study is to analyze the academic potential of young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine and to develop recommendations for creating a favorable environment for the development of science, innovation and cooperation between all participants in the innovation process. The objectives of the study are to assess the academic potential and identify the main barriers of young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine; to provide proposals for optimizing the functioning of the scientific ecosystem by strengthening its institutional, informational, human resources and scientific components. Materials and Methods. The study is based on the integrated application of theoretical (institutional analysis), empirical (statistical analysis, sociological research) and cognitive methods (analysis of scientific publications) to assess the scientific potential of young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine. Research results. It is established that young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine have significant scientific achievements, but face a number of systemic problems. Limited funding, outdated scientific infrastructure, and additional responsibilities that are not directly related to research impede the full realization of the scientific potential of young scientists. In addition, the emotional burden caused by the war further complicates the work. Despite the high level of motivation (81 %), young scientists face difficulties in implementing cooperation with business: only 26 % have practical experience in such partnerships. Most young scientists are ready to unite to implement joint projects, but need more information onopportunities to attract funding and mechanisms for cooperation with the business community. According to the survey, only 37 % of young scientists are aware of the opportunities to complete postdoctoral programs abroad (in Western Europe, America, and Australia). An even smaller proportion of respondents (4%) have taken advantage of this opportunity. It is worth noting that 22 % of young scientists have experience of internships, but most of them were conducted in a remote format. The paper analyzes the system of public self-government of young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine and provides suggestions for its strengthening. According to the authors, a well-established system of public self-government in the region will facilitate innovative development and technology transfer in the region. Conclusion. The analysis of the academic potential of young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine has shown that Odesa region has the most developed scientific infrastructure and concentration of talented young scientists. The authors of the study have developed proposals to strengthen the academic growth and interaction of young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine by creating a Council of Young Scientists of the Southern Region of Ukraine. An important aspect is to strengthen the interaction between young scientists, business and government, which is mutually beneficial for all parties: scientists receive resources to implement their ideas, business receives innovative solutions, and the region receives new opportunities for development. In further research, the authors plan to analyze changes in the academic potential of young scientists in the Southern region of Ukraine in the context of a full-scale war. It is planned to conduct a comparative analysis before and after the full-scale invasion, as well as to develop proposals for the organizational component of attracting funding and establishing effective cooperation with the business environment.