Piotr Sztompka

Professor Piotr Sztompka is a distinguished Polish sociologist affiliated with the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Throughout his career, he has held prominent academic ranks including University Professor Ordinarius (1987) and Full Professor Extraordinarius (1980). His scholarly work focuses on the sociology of social change and social trauma, with additional contributions to trust theory and cultural sociology.

• Education: Ph.D. in Social Sciences (1970), Habilitation (1974) at Jagiellonian University
• Research Interests: Social change, trust, cultural trauma, European integration, sociological theory

Sztompka's research explores the intersections of societal transformation, trust dynamics, and cultural trauma, particularly in post-communist contexts. His publications span theoretical frameworks (e.g., Society in Action) and empirical analyses of democratic transitions. Recent work emphasizes collective identity shifts in Europe.

His academic contributions include books on trust, social change, and theoretical pluralism, characterized by themes in European studies, cultural sociology, and sociological methodology. Awards recognize his leadership in the discipline, including the Foundation for Polish Science Prize (2006) and presidency of the International Sociological Association (2002-2006).