Małgorzata Fijał

Dr. Małgorzata Fijał is a researcher at the Institute of European Studies, Jagiellonian University, specializing in Mediterranean geopolitics, Italian politics, and European integration. She holds a PhD in Cultural and Religious Studies (awarded 2023) and a double Master's degree in European Studies (Jagiellonian University, 2017; University of Padua, 2017).

• Current affiliations: Institute of European Studies (Jagiellonian University)
• Recent projects: RECLAIM, REDIRECT, SHAPEDEM-EU under Horizon Europe
• Key research areas: Italian regionalism, EU democracy support, post-war identity, migration narratives

Her academic work examines historical and contemporary dimensions of populism, nationalism, and civil society's role in European democracies. She has contributed to international projects analyzing EU neighborhood policy and Italy's strategic positioning as a Mediterranean bridge between Europe and Africa.

Scientific Recognition

• Minister of Education and Science scholarship (2022)
• Jagiellonian University Vice-Rector Research Award (2022)
• Extensive Erasmus+ participation (2017–2024) across Italy and Europe

Her publications and conference presentations focus on Italian political evolution, Padanian separatism, and democratic practices in post-truth era, with empirical work on migration policies and cultural heritage controversies.