Joanna Kusiak

Dr. Joanna Kusiak is a sociologist affiliated with the University of Cambridge and Kozminski University in Warsaw. She operates at the intersection of law, democracy, and the psychological dynamics of group-based political organizing.

Her research explores how legal frameworks and collective action strategies can catalyze systemic reform. Current work focuses on applying peace mediation techniques to democratic institutions, analyzing how structured spaces—both interpersonal and organizational—can mitigate societal polarization and foster democratic renewal. This builds on her extensive collaborations with social movements in Warsaw and Berlin.

Her most notable achievement is the award-winning book Radically Legal: Berlin Constitutes the Future (Cambridge University Press, 2024), which received the $100,000 Nine Dots Prize for innovative approaches to social challenges. The book is available open access and has sparked debates about legal activism and democratic transformation.

While no formal PhD or Master’s students are listed, her scholar-activist approach emphasizes participatory research and collaboration with grassroots movements. She has not been explicitly associated with any labs or teams in the provided texts.