Michał Łuszczuk

Dr. Michał Łuszczuk is a Professor at the Department of Socio-Economic Geography within the Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Economy at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland. He serves as Deputy Director of the Institute and teaches in the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management. His academic career spans multiple institutions and international collaborations, with significant leadership roles in polar research organizations.

Łuszczuk's research focuses on geopolitics of polar regions, socio-economic adaptation to climate change in the Arctic, history of Polish polar research, and tourism in polar regions. His scholarly work demonstrates deep engagement with Arctic governance, science diplomacy, and sustainable development challenges. He leads the Sustainable Urban Development in the European Arctic (SUDEA) project (2020-2024), examining transnational cooperation in remote Arctic cities.

His recent publications reveal a consistent trajectory toward examining the intersection of science, policy, and governance in the Arctic. Łuszczuk's work increasingly addresses the challenges of implementing sustainable development goals in peripheral Arctic regions, with particular attention to local participation in decision-making processes and transnational cooperation mechanisms.

• Fulbright Fellow (Senior Research Advanced Award) 2015-2016
• Expert for the Governmental Polar Policy Team (since 2023)
• Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences Polar Research Committee (2011-present)
• Reviewer for multiple international funding bodies including Research Council of Norway, European Commission, and Fulbright Commission

Łuszczuk actively mentors students and has supervised numerous bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses. His work bridges academic research and policy implementation, serving as an expert for the Ministry of Science and Higher Education delegation at international Arctic Science Ministerials. He maintains strong connections with international polar research organizations while advancing Polish scholarship in Arctic studies.