Evidence-based education studies

The paper examines the transformation of interaction of a university and non-profit organizations from episodic initiatives into strategic partnership, which is particularly relevant in the context of implementing the Service Learning program. The study aims to identify the specific features of strategic partnerships between universities and socially oriented non-profit organizations (SONPOs) as a tool for fulfilling the university’s third mission. The empirical foundation is based on the federal Service Learning program: the study involved 30 SONPOs from the Rostov region engaged in the program during the 2024/25 academic year. Research methods included an analysis of statutory documents regulating the activities of NPOs and a survey of NPO representatives to study their experience of interacting with universities within the Service Learning program. The research results demonstrate that the Service Learning program is becoming an effective tool for solving social problems. Its key significance is manifested in two aspects: firstly, in the development of civic initiative among students; secondly, in the formation of traditions of public service within the university environment as the basis for fulfilling the university’s third mission. The study concludes that the strategic partnership between universities and SONPOs develops into an integrated model of cooperation. This model ensures both the integration of educational processes into the context of state social policy and the training of specialists in line with the current needs of the third sector of the economy. Thus, the study confirms the necessity of a systematic approach to building partnerships between universities and NPOs within the framework of implementing the university’s third mission.

This paper investigates the features of self-attitude and perceptions of ideal beauty among young women with negative and positive perceptions of their own appearance. The problem of body and appearance dissatisfaction deserves close attention due to its high prevalence and profound destructive effects. It directly undermines the psychological well-being of young women, being a cause of not only low self-esteem and negative self-perception but also maladaptive behavioral strategies. The empirical study involved 50 young women aged 20–34. The method of projective storytelling was used as the primary research technique. The processing of respondents’ narratives was conducted using content analysis and Fisher’s angular transformation. A comparative analysis of perceptions of ideal beauty revealed that for the group of young women dissatisfied with their appearance, a focus on external attributes (such as attractive facial features and a perfect body) is characteristic, as well as heightened sensitivity to issues of gender discrimination based on appearance. At the same time, young women with a positive perception of their appearance were significantly more likely to associate the concept of beauty with the development of spiritual potential. This indicates that acceptance of one’s own appearance provides freedom from stereotypical beauty standards, opening the way for a deeper and more meaningful self-perception. The results of the study demonstrate that a negative body image acts not as an isolated problem but as a complex factor deforming the holistic system of self-attitude in young women.