Magdalena Kuchcik

Prof. Magdalena Kuchcik is a leading Polish climatologist and biometeorologist, serving as Professor and Head of the Climate Research Department at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IGiPZ PAN) in Warsaw. Since 2000, she has led multidisciplinary research on urban climate, bioclimatology, and climate-related health risks, authoring numerous monographs and over a hundred peer-reviewed articles.

Education:

• 1990–1995 – M.Sc., University of Warsaw, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies (thesis: The influence of weather conditions on road accidents and collisions in Radom)
• 1995–1999 – Ph.D. studies, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies (Ph.D. defended at IGiPZ PAN)

Research Interests:
Prof. Kuchcik’s work centres on the interactions between atmospheric processes, urban environments, and human health. She has pioneered studies on:

• Urban heat islands in Warsaw and their projected evolution to 2050
• Bioclimatic indices (UTCI) and long-term trends in heat- and cold-related mortality across Polish cities
• Micro- and topoclimatic variability within cities, focusing on green infrastructure, thermal comfort, and adaptation strategies
• Assessment of climate conditions in Polish health resorts and the therapeutic potential of the Polish climate

Scientific Contributions & Awards:
Her research has been disseminated through extensive publication channels, including monographs such as Thermal conditions in Poland at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries and their impact on mortality (2017) and Urban heat island in Warsaw (2014). She frequently collaborates in large interdisciplinary projects, integrating climatology with urban planning, public health, and education, notably through the development of serious games for neighbourhood climate adaptation.

Collaboration & Outreach:
Prof. Kuchcik maintains an active network of national and international collaborators, co-authoring studies with experts in geography, epidemiology, urban design, and remote sensing. She has organised and contributed to numerous conferences and popular-science initiatives aimed at translating scientific findings into practical guidance for policymakers and the public.