Education:
In 1978 graduated from Kharkov State University, specialty – “Mathematician, Teacher of Mathematics”.
In 1990 graduated from Higher sociological courses (Moscow), specialization “Sociology” (with a right to teach).
In 1991 graduated from the Institute of Youth – (Moscow), postgraduate training program, specialty “Social structure, social institutions”, qualification “Sociologist – researcher”.
Main employment record:
2005 – present – head of department for monitoring-based research of social and economic transformations, Institute for Economics and Forecasting, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv.
2005 – present – head of the board, Ukrainian Institute for Social Research after Oleksandr Yaremenko, Kyiv.
1995 – 2005 – Head of the board, Center “Social Monitoring”, Kyiv.
1998-present – Deputy Director, State Institute for Family and Youth Problems (former Ukrainian Institute for Social Research and Ukrainian scientific research Institute on Youth Problems), Kiev.
1995–1997 – Head of Sociological Center.
1992-1995 – Head of the Sociological Laboratory.
1991-1992 – Lecturer, Department of Sociology and Political Science, Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute, Director of the Kharkiv Youth Problem Center.
1992-1999 – Lecturer, Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts.
Balakireva O.M. is a Principle Investigator of the following international studies in Ukraine:
– The ESPAD – European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs Use) (since 1994);
– The HBSC (Health Behaviors oа School-aged Children) (since 2001);
– The World Values Survey(WVS) (1996 – present), The Comparative International Research Project “European Values Survey (EVS) (1996 – present);
Awards and achievements:
In 1999 – awarded by the honorary title “Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine”.
In 2011 – awarded the highest award of the Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine – the badge “For scientific achievements”.
In 2016 – awarded B.Kistiakowsky Medal for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Sociology.
In 2018 – awarded an Order of Queen Anne “The honor of the Motherland” “For conscientious service to Ukraine and to the 1000th anniversary of the birth of Anna Yaroslavna – Princess of Kyiv, Queen of France.
Since 2005 – editor-in-chief of the scientific journal “Ukrainian society”.
Since 2007 – board member of Sociological Associate of Ukraine.
Since 2017 – Chairman of the Professional Ethics Commission of the sociologist of the SAU.
Since 1989 – member of the Sociological Associate of Ukraine.
Balakireva O.M. is a member of the editorial board of the following scientific journals: “Ukrainian society”, “Economy of Ukraine” and “Ukrainian sociological journal”.