Issues related to personal and social self-development of academic staff members of higher education institutions in today's Russia

Abstract

The issues addressed in the article are of particular relevance due to the growing role of teachers of higher education institutions in the modern society. The article is dedicated to the current issues of self-development of teachers and is aimed to identify the main reasons for their poor social and personal self-development. The most important research method used by the authors was the pedagogic experiment, including such particular empirical methods as monitoring, tests, surveys, questionnaires, interviews, self-assessment and psychological diagnostics. As a result of the study, it was found out that teachers' leisure time is not properly organised, therefore they have no opportunities for rehabilitation and recreation in their free time, which considerably reduces effectiveness of their personal self-development. The article describes a set of measures aimed to enhance the effectiveness of teachers' self-development through the organization of cultural and creative associations in higher education institutions, including four stages and six spheres of activity that can be implemented in such cultural and creative associations. Materials of this article may be useful for the management of higher education institutions and department heads, advanced training centres for higher education professionals and for all academic staff members.