Monika Gabryś-Sławińska is a Professor at the Department of Polish Literary History , part of the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at the University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska (UMCS). Her research spans 19th- and 20th-century Polish literature , focusing on Stefan Żeromski , historical journalism , text editing , voice emission , and museology . MA in Polish Philology (1998, UMCS) PhD in Literary Studies (2007, UMCS) Habilitation in Literary Studies (2016, UMCS) Her research interests include political commentary in historical press , media's role in cultural identity , and sociolinguistic trends . She has edited over 29 academic volumes and authored 5 monographs. Scientific awards: Bronze Cross of Merit KEN Medals (Bronze, Silver) 8 Rector's Awards (UMCS) Lublin Mayor's Medal (2019) She has participated in 5 research grants , organized 35 academic conferences , and contributed extensively to Annales UMCS as a scientific editor.
Dr. Edyta Chlebowska is an Assistant Professor at the Cyprian Norwid Research Center, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Specializing in the visual art and literary legacy of Cyprian Norwid, she explores intersections between Polish Romanticism, art history, and cultural studies. Her work extends to album art analysis and interdisciplinary connections with music (e.g., Pink Floyd, Czesław Niemen). Her research focuses on Norwid's self-portraits, eschatological themes in his drawings, and comparative studies with 19th-century Warsaw painting. She reconstructs lost artworks, documents private collections (e.g., Konstancja Górska, Victor Gomulicki), and examines Norwid's reception in Florence and Odessa. Key projects include translating Studia Norwidiana and critical editing of Norwid's complete works. As editor-in-chief of multiple On Cyprian Norwid. Studies and Essays volumes and organizer of conferences like Niemen Non Stop and Colloquia Norwidiana , she bridges academic rigor with public engagement. Her publications span peer-reviewed books, journal articles, and popular science pieces, emphasizing Norwid's unpublished works and symbolic programs.
Joanna Grela is a Professor at the Department of Comparative Civilization Studies within the Faculty of Philosophy at Jagiellonian University (UJ) in Kraków, Poland. She holds habilitation in cultural studies (2016, SWPS University, Warsaw), a doctorate in religious studies (2004, Jagiellonian University), and is a certified Tibetologist (2000, INALCO, Paris). Her academic credentials also include an MA in philosophy (1996, Jagiellonian University) and postgraduate studies in gender (2009, Jagiellonian University). Her educational background includes: 2004: PhD in Humanities in religious studies, Jagiellonian University 2000: Diplôme Unilingue de Langue et Civilization Orientales de Tibétain, Institut National des Langues et Civilizations Orientales (INALCO), Paris 1996: Master of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University 2009: Postgraduate studies in gender, Jagiellonian University Professor Grela's research focuses on Tibetan, Himalayan, and Mongolian cultures, with particular emphasis on pre-Buddhist cults and their contemporary representations in popular culture, societal transformations, Tibetan ethnic and cultural identity, cultural stereotypes, and the comparative anthropology of Buddhism. Her work bridges religious studies, cultural anthropology, and Tibetan studies, examining both historical traditions and their modern adaptations. She has made significant contributions to understanding how traditional Buddhist practices interact with contemporary social contexts, digital technologies, and global cultural flows. Her scholarly output reveals consistent engagement with Tibetan religious culture, Buddhist textual traditions, and the adaptation of Buddhist practices in modern contexts. She has extensively explored the relationship between pre-Buddhist traditions and contemporary religious practices, the role of deities in Tibetan Buddhism, and the transformation of Buddhist thought in different cultural settings including Thailand and Poland. Her more recent work addresses how Buddhism is adapting to digital environments and contemporary social challenges. Her notable achievements include: 2017: Pro Arte Docendi Award from the Rector of Jagiellonian University Multiple teaching awards (2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15) Membership in the International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU) Collaboration with the Centre d'Etudes Himalayennes CNRS Professor Grela has led significant research projects including 'The impact of secularization and schooling on socio-religious relations between ritual specialists and the lay community in the Rebkong region' (2018-2020) and 'The Common Buddhist Text Project' (2009-2016). Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to both scholarly research and teaching excellence, with numerous publications spanning academic journals, edited volumes, and encyclopedia entries. She maintains active international collaboration and has presented her research at conferences across Europe and Asia.
Przemysław Kordos is a Professor at the University of Warsaw , affiliated with the Faculty of Liberal Arts , where he serves as Coordinator for the Development of the Modern Greek Philology Program . He holds two PhDs in Humanities (2007, 2019) and was awarded the Loukis Papaphilippou Seat of Advancement in Modern Greek scholarship. Education: MA in Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology (University of Warsaw, 2001) MS in Sociology (University of Warsaw, 2002) PhD in Humanities (University of Warsaw, 2007) Second PhD in Humanities (University of Warsaw, 2019) His research interests span: Contemporary Modern Greek and Cypriot literature Polish-Greek cultural relations (philhellenism) Social and ethnographic issues in Greece and Cyprus Travel literature analysis Fantasy literature's cultural implications His scientific work reveals a focus on linguistic assimilation in foreign language learning (via fMRI studies), historical parallels between Polish and Greek independence movements, and critical analyses of Cypriot folk culture's politicization. Key scientific awards include: Loukis Papaphilippou Seat (University of Warsaw) Internships at EKPA and IKY (Greece) Scholarships at IMXA (Greece) and MUNI (Czech Republic) His academic contributions include cataloging 60+ Polish travel accounts to Greece, analyzing the shift from travel literature to tourism discourse, and examining the Hellene-Romios dichotomy's role in modern Greek identity construction.
Rev. Dr. hab. Waldemar Żurek, Professor at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, serves at the Center of Ecclesiastical Archives, Libraries and Museums (ABMK) within the Faculty of Theology. His academic career spans decades of dedicated research and publication in church history, particularly focusing on Eastern European Catholicism and the Salesian Order. As an active scholar, he continues to contribute significantly to ecclesiastical documentation and historical research. Professor Żurek's research interests center on ecclesiastical archives, parish documentation, and the history of religious orders, with particular emphasis on the Salesian Order's activities in Poland and Eastern Europe. His work explores the intersection of religious life with historical events, particularly during challenging periods like the communist era in Poland. He has developed expertise in analyzing parish inventories, visitation records, and chronicles to reconstruct religious life and administration across different historical periods. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on documenting church history through meticulous examination of primary sources. The most recent works reveal trends toward comprehensive chronicles of religious institutions, detailed parish records analysis, and biographical studies of clergy members. His research spans multiple disciplines including religious studies, historical documentation, and Eastern European studies, with particular attention to regions like Pinsk, Lutsk, and Volhynia that have complex religious histories across changing political borders. Scientific Awards: Gold Medal for Long Service Professor Żurek has supervised numerous diploma theses including master's work on topics such as 'Social activities of Bishop Adolf Piotr Szelążek.' His editorial work includes significant publications like 'Kult Matki Bożej Ostrobramskiej w historii narodu polskiego' (The Cult of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn in the History of the Polish Nation) and 'Ojciec Profesor Henryk Damian Wojtyska 1933-2009. Pasjonista, historyk Kościoła i dydaktyk' (Father Professor Henryk Damian Wojtyska 1933-2009. Passionist, Church Historian and Educator). He serves on the Scientific Council of the biannual journal 'Archives, Libraries and Church Museums' and is a member of the Theological Society of Józef Bilczewski in Ukraine. His work with the Center of Ecclesiastical Archives, Libraries and Museums represents a significant contribution to preserving and analyzing religious heritage. Through his leadership and scholarship, Professor Żurek has helped establish important methodologies for working with ecclesiastical documentation and has fostered international collaboration in church historical studies, particularly between Polish and Ukrainian scholars.
Michał Pałasz, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Jagiellonian University's Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Institute of Culture. His research focuses on management in the Anthropocene, posthumanism, ecological humanities, and climate policy. He serves as a European Climate Pact Ambassador, advocating for socio-environmental change through academic and community engagement. His research interests include exploring non-human agency, degrowth, and critical management studies. He has published extensively on climate action, cultural management, and digital culture, with notable works like Culture Management Must Fuel Socioenvironmental Change (2024) and Language Affects Climate (2024). His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing inclusive and planetary-bound solutions. Pałasz has collaborated on projects such as Tick-tock, the End of the World (2022), examining multidisciplinary responses to the climate crisis. His academic contributions span journal articles, edited books, and conference presentations, often addressing the intersection of management, culture, and environmental sustainability. He teaches courses on posthumanistic management and climate policy, integrating critical perspectives into education. His work highlights the urgency of rethinking management practices to address polycrisis challenges, advocating for more-than-human-centered approaches.
Gabriela Jarzębowska-Lipińska is an Assistant Professor at the School of Liberal Arts, University of Warsaw, specializing in Critical Animal Studies and Environmental Humanities. Her work examines interspecies relations through historical, cultural, and sociological lenses. Education: PhD in Cultural and Religious Studies (2020, University of Warsaw) International Experience: Fulbright Junior Fellow (2018–2019), visiting scholar at Linköping University (2016) and UC Santa Cruz (2019) Research focuses on animal representation in culture, environmental conflict rhetoric, and modernity's impact on human-animal relations. She explores topics like rat extermination as cultural practice, interspecies ethics in state socialism, and posthumanist collectives. Her recent publications address factory farming as capitalist imagination failure, animal biographies, and urban rodent media narratives. Key scientific contributions include the concept of "species cleansing" and critical analysis of sanitary discourse in totalitarian regimes. She advocates for animal welfare frameworks that challenge anthropocentric policies.
Konrad Zawadzki is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Latin Philology, Institute of Literary Studies, Faculty of Humanities, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) in Poland. He also holds the position of Associate Professor at the University of Salzburg, Austria. His academic career spans multiple European institutions, with significant research experience at the Faculty of Theology in Trier, Germany. His educational background includes: 2024: Habilitation at KUL (Poland) 2020: Habilitation at University of Salzburg (Austria) 2013: PhD at Faculty of Theology in Trier (Germany) 2011: Master's Degree in Classical Philology at University of Trier (Germany) 2007: Diploma in Catholic Theology at Faculty of Theology in Trier (Germany) Zawadzki's research focuses on early Christian literature and textual criticism, with particular expertise in the works of Cyril of Alexandria and other Church Fathers. His scholarly interests encompass: Early Christian interpretations of the Bible Editions of ancient Christian texts Syntax of Greek, Latin, Syriac, and Armenian languages Latinitas viva (living Latin) Byzantine catenae (biblical commentaries) History of ancient Christian oriental communities (Syria and Armenia) His research output demonstrates a consistent focus on recovering and analyzing fragments of early Christian commentaries, particularly those of Cyril of Alexandria on the Pauline epistles. Zawadzki has made significant contributions to the field through his critical editions and analyses of previously unknown or under-studied texts across multiple ancient languages. His scholarly recognition includes: Inner Reward Award for the best-scoring publication in 2024 Inner Reward Award for the best-scoring publication in 2022 Zawadzki has received substantial research funding, including a €256,000 grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for his project on Cyril of Alexandria's commentary on 2 Corinthians. He has also participated in international research collaborations, notably the "Nouvelle histoire de la littérature grecque chrétienne" project at Université Paris-Sorbonne (2015-2021) and the "Anathema in lateinischen Inschriften" project at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences (2018-2019). He serves as a peer reviewer for several prestigious journals including Biblica, Commentaria Classica, Religions, Sacris Erudiri, Vox Patrum, and Zeitschrift für antikes Christentum, demonstrating his standing in multiple academic communities. Zawadzki is an active member of the International Association of Patristic Studies (IAPS) and the German Arbeitskreis Patristik.
Ewa Domańska is a Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University and a visiting professor in the Department of Anthropology/Archaeology Center/DLCL at Stanford University since 2002. She is affiliated with the Center for Russian, East European & Euroasian Studies at Stanford and holds a 2024 Reinhart Koselleck Visiting Professorship at Bielefeld University. Research Interests: Historiography, posthumanist history, environmental history, genocide studies, and non-anthropocentric approaches to the past. Research Trends: Her recent work focuses on the intersection of history, ecology, and ethics, particularly through projects exploring the Anthropocene, mass graves, and multispecies heritage. She leads the PRELUDIUM BIS grant on the water heritage of the Warta River (2021-2025) and has participated in international projects like "Unruly Heritage" and "My Favourite Things." Scientific Awards: 2024 Złoty Krzyż Zasługi for historical knowledge dissemination 2024 Joachim Lelewel Award for contributions to historiography 2023 Gold Medal for Long-term Service Multiple rectoral awards for teaching and research International fellowships (Fulbright, Kościuszkowski, Civic Education Project) Academic Leadership: She coordinates editorial work for projects like Humanistyka prewencyjna and has chaired panels for prestigious initiatives. Her editorial roles span journals such as History and Theory and Journal of Genocide Research . Labs & Teams: Founder of the Resilience Academic Team (RAT), she collaborates with institutions like the University of Iceland, Arctic University of Norway, and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna.
SWPS University of Social Sciences and HumanitiesPoland
Dr. hab. Witold Maciejewski is a linguist and Scandinavianist at SWPS University in Krakow, Poland. He serves as faculty in the Interdisciplinary Faculty's Department of Humanities, where he teaches courses on Swedish language grammar and history, comparative grammar of Scandinavian languages, and contrastive grammar. Specializing in general linguistics, Scandinavian and Polish studies, and regional studies, Dr. Maciejewski focuses particularly on Polish-Swedish contrastive linguistics. His research examines linguistic differences between Polish and Scandinavian languages and cultures, including work approaches between Poland and Scandinavia, particularly regarding working hours and efficiency. He has made significant contributions to understanding cross-cultural communication patterns and linguistic structures across these language families. Dr. Maciejewski co-authored the book "Runy" (2011), has published numerous book chapters and scholarly articles, and serves as editor-in-chief of "Acta Sueco-Polonica," a journal dedicated to Polish-Scandinavian relations. His publication history shows consistent research in Scandinavian linguistics, translation studies, and Polish-Scandinavian cultural comparisons, with particular emphasis on historical documents, Bible translations, and grammatical structures. Order of the Polar Star (2011) - One of Sweden's most important decorations awarded to foreigners for outstanding contributions to Sweden and promoting its culture worldwide As a leading scholar in Scandinavian studies in Poland, Dr. Maciejewski has been instrumental in developing academic programs and research initiatives in this field. He served as head of the Department of Scandinavian Studies at SWPS University and participated in the inauguration of the Institute of Scandinavian Studies at SWPS University in Warsaw in March 2006. His work has helped establish and strengthen academic connections between Polish and Scandinavian institutions.
Dr. hab. Jolanta Szymkowska-Bartyzel, prof. UJ, is a Full Professor at Jagiellonian University's Faculty of International and Political Studies, specializing in American Studies and Polish Diaspora Research. She holds positions as the Erasmus PLUS Programme Coordinator and member of the Discipline Council for Cultural and Religious Studies, as well as the Faculty Electoral Commission. Education: Graduate in Film Studies from Jagiellonian University Doctoral dissertation on American myths and cultural motifs in television advertising Research Interests: Americanization and anti-Americanism American popular culture's impact in Poland Intercultural dialogue and transnational identity Cultural diplomacy and media analysis Key Contributions: Co-organized the American Dream exhibition at Kraków's National Museum (2009) Authored monographs like Our Imagined America (2015) and The American Myth - the Polish Consumer (2006) Presented globally at conferences in Hungary, Czech Republic, Malta, and Portugal Grants & Projects: Principal investigator in NCN-funded projects on transatlantic relations and cultural differences Coordinated international exchange programs with Radboud University and Universität Duisburg-Essen Labs/Teams: Active in the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora’s research groups focusing on transnational cultural dynamics and media studies.
Prof. Dr. hab. Marzena Górecka is a Full Professor at the Department of German-Language Literature and Culture , Faculty of Humanities , John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin . Her academic career includes habilitation (2006), Erasmus teaching assignments at the University of Freiburg (Switzerland), and leadership of the INTERREG III C project Language Bridges (2004-2006). Education: University of Lublin (Humanities), University of Zurich (Germanic Philology), University of Perugia (Italian Studies) Degree: Licentiata Philosophiae (1995), Doctorate in German Medieval Literature (1999) Research Focus: German medieval mysticism (Mechthild von Magdeburg, Hildegard von Bingen), Swiss German-language literature of the 20th century (Meinrad Inglin, Albin Zollinger), and literary translation theory with emphasis on Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI's Opera Omnia . She explores mystical anthropology, cultural boundaries, and the interplay between theology and literature. Recent Trends: Analysis of postmodern literary spirituality, translation challenges of theological texts, and cultural memory in European border regions. Her 2023 publications examine educational crises through religious pedagogy and contemporary social critique in Swiss literature. Key Awards: Feniks National Literary Award (2014, 2013), Ministerial Individual Scholarship (MEiN), Landes&Gyr Foundation Research Stipend (Switzerland) Academic Service: Active in international research (SNSF Berlin evaluation), editorial leadership for Opera Omnia Ratzinger , and conference organization on European values and migration. She serves on the Polish Ministerial Expert Panel for academic promotions.
Joanna Mąkowska is an Assistant Professor at the American Studies Center, University of Warsaw. She specializes in 20th and 21st century American and Canadian literature, with a focus on poetry, ecocriticism, and feminist theory. Her roles include Academic Writing Coordinator (BA/MA), Head of Admissions Committee, and Writing Lab Coordinator. She has held prestigious fellowships including the Fulbright Junior Research Award (SUNY Buffalo) and Kosciuszko Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (Duquesne University). Her research explores intersections of documentary writing, protest literature, and posthumanist thought. Major works include analyses of James Baldwin, Jericho Brown, and Adrienne Rich, with recent focus on ecocritical frameworks in American poetry. She has contributed to journals like Arizona Quarterly and Modernism/modernity , and co-authored chapters in The Routledge Companion to Ecopoetics . Notable achievements include the NCN SONATA Grant (2024-2027) for her project on protest assemblages in poetry, and multiple residential fellowships at Cambridge and Yale. Her teaching spans courses like 'American Protest Literature' and 'Literary Reportage.' Labs/Teams: Leads ASC Writing Lab, fostering interdisciplinary academic writing. Grants: 5 competitive awards since 2015, including national and international fellowships.
Mateusz Rafał Potoczny serves as Professor at the Institute of Theological Sciences within the Faculty of Theology at the University of Opole, where he also holds the position of Rector. His academic profile demonstrates deep specialization in Syriac liturgical traditions with particular focus on Eastern Christian churches and Indian Christian communities. Fluent in Polish and English, he maintains active scholarly communication through his institutional email address. His research centers on West and East Syriac Liturgical Traditions , Oriental Liturgies, and the history of Indian Christianity. Through meticulous analysis of sacramental theology, liturgical history, and ecclesial identity, Potoczny bridges historical scholarship with contemporary pastoral concerns. His work examines how ancient Syriac traditions inform modern worship practices and ecclesial formation. Analysis of his 64 publications reveals consistent scholarly output focused on liturgical theology, with significant attention to Syriac Christian traditions (West Syriac and East Syriac), sacramental practice in Eastern churches, and the unique identity of St. Thomas Christians in India. His recent works increasingly address Vatican II's liturgical reforms and their reception in Eastern Catholic contexts. His academic leadership is evident through editorial work on the journal "Liturgia Sacra" and organization of major scholarly events including the 50th Anniversary Conference on Sacrosanctum Concilium. Potoczny actively participates in international scholarly networks, evidenced by his attendance at the 8th World Syrology Conference in Kottayam and Syro-Arabic Symposiums. As Rector of the University of Opole, he oversees institutional academic strategy while maintaining his research profile. His scholarly impact is registered through an ORCID profile (0000-0001-5746-4218) and bibliometric indicators including a Scopus h-index of 1. Potoczny's work demonstrates sustained contribution to theological scholarship with particular significance for Eastern Christian liturgical studies.
Fr. Prof. Stefan Szymik is a theologian and biblical scholar at the Faculty of Theology of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, where he has served since 1995. Specializing in biblical hermeneutics and exegesis, his work focuses on New Testament studies, Christology, and biblical anthropology. He holds the rank of Professor of Theological Sciences since 2017. His research explores themes such as anti-Epicurean polemics in the New Testament, the role of the Bible in Christian life, and the historical context of biblical texts. Education includes theological and philosophical studies at the Major Seminary of the Missionaries of the Holy Family in Kazimierz Biskupi, followed by advanced biblical studies at the Catholic University of Lublin and the Pontificio Istituto Biblico in Rome. His academic roles include editorships of journals like Roczniki Teologiczne and the Biblical Annals , as well as leadership in the Institute of Biblical Studies. Research interests span biblical methodology, theological anthropology, and the application of biblical texts to contemporary Christian practice. He has authored numerous books and articles, including Anti-Epicurean Polemics in the New Testament (2023) and Ziemia Przymierza (2022). His academic contributions are recognized through awards like the Silver Cross of Merit (2001) and the Gold Cross of Merit (2018). Prof. Szymik’s work bridges biblical scholarship with pastoral theology, emphasizing the Bible’s role in liturgy and faith formation. He has been a member of prestigious organizations such as the Lublin Scientific Society and the Polish Biblical Society, contributing to interdisciplinary dialogue on biblical interpretation.
