Michał Spieszny

Michał Spieszny is Professor and Vice-Rector for Student Affairs at the Academy of Physical Education in Kraków since 2020, concurrently serving as Head of the Department of Sports Theory and Human Motor Skills. His leadership includes prior roles as Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (2016-2020) and Deputy Director of the Institute of Sports Sciences.

His academic credentials feature:

• Master of Physical Education (1987, Academy of Physical Education in Kraków)
• PhD in Physical Culture Sciences (1997)
• Habilitation in physical culture sciences (2012)
• Associate Professor (2013)
• University Professor (2019)

Research focuses on sports science with emphasis on handball methodology, motor skills development, and sport organization theory. His scholarly output exceeds 170 publications including 3 monographs and 2 textbooks, alongside editorial work on 6 scientific volumes. Current projects address competitive sport optimization and academic sports development.

Major recognitions include:

• Golden Badge of the Academic Sports Association (2022)
• Diamond Badge for Merit to Handball (2016)
• Silver Cross of Merit (2014)
• Bronze Badge of Merit for Physical Culture (1991)
• Rectoral Awards for scientific and organizational contributions

Academic mentorship encompasses 7 doctoral graduates, over 140 master's theses, and 37 bachelor's theses. Research leadership includes managing 8 statutory projects, 5 contractual projects, and grants from the Ministry of Science (“Development of Academic Sport”) and Handball Association (Poland). Organizational engagement spans the Polish Handball Association Management Board, AZS AWF Kraków Sports Club presidency, and Academic Sports Association governance.