Science vs teaching: the search for balance in the professional activities of university teachers

Introduction. In recent decades, the role of scientific work as an element of the professional activity of teachers has increased significantly, and publication activity indicators have become the most important parameters used to assess the effectiveness of not only individual employees, but also universities as a whole. There is a need to form new management mechanisms that take into account the new structure and content of the professional activity of teachers. Materials and methods. The study uses a wide range of methods – synthesis, comparison, deduction, analogy. The empirical base is made up of statistical data, as well as sociological research on the problems of scientific and pedagogical activity of higher education teachers. Results. The study revealed that in the professional activities of university teachers, a balanced system of labor costs for the implementation of the main types of professional activity - scientific and pedagogical. The main reason is the deformation of the system of evaluation indicators, within which the parameters of the research activity of teachers dominate. Adaptation of teachers to new requirements of universities occurs in various forms, but most often, ensuring high scientometric indicators is achieved by reducing attention to pedagogical work. Discussion and conclusions. In search of a balance between scientific and pedagogical activity, each teacher develops his/her own professional strategy. To solve this problem, administrative, managerial and organizational-economic measures are taken at the level of universities, aimed at creating conditions and forming sustainable motivation of teachers. Successful implementation of these measures will help prevent the spread of "imitation" strategies as forms of adaptation to the inflated demands made on teachers by the administration of universities.