February 3, 2026 - Does the eternal question of balancing work and personal life sound familiar? What if this work is an academic career? How then does the question of the balance between values, ethics and personal challenges stand? These are the questions that will be the subject of a new study, funded by the Scientific Research Fund, whose project was approved by the Competition for Fundamental Scientific Research for 2025.
The Depth of the Topic
The project, led by Associate Professor Dr. Denitsa Uzunova, promises three years of in-depth analysis. But what exactly will be the subject of this analysis? What will be sought in the academic world, which often seems isolated, but is vital to society? The study will focus on three main aspects that are key to successful academic work, while it is important to note their connection with personal life.
First, the balance between personal life and academic career will be examined. The truth is that the workload in science often leads to difficulties in combining professional obligations with personal commitments. Second, the values that drive the work of scientists will be investigated. How do they affect their decisions, teamwork, and the way they perceive the world? Third, the ethical dimensions of academic work will be analyzed. How do scientists deal with stress, competition, and the responsibility they bear?
Compliance with European and National Priorities
The project responds to European and Bulgarian aspirations to create a sustainable and socially responsible academic environment. This means that the focus is on improving working conditions, promoting ethical behavior, and supporting scientists so that they can achieve maximum results. There are many strategic documents of the European Union and Bulgaria that emphasize the importance of science and research for the development of society.
What will the research really teach us?
What will we learn from this project? We will learn more about the challenges faced by teachers and researchers. We will be able to assess how scientific work affects their personal lives and how they cope with stress. We will be able to see what role values and ethics play in their decisions. Perhaps most importantly, we will get information about how we can create a better academic environment.
What will change after the completion of these three years? Will science become more humane, more understandable and more accessible to everyone? We will see…