Our PhD Students

Graduate of a long-cycle Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of the Commission of National Education in Kraków, with a specialization in Clinical Psychology. She defended her Master’s thesis with distinction, entitled Improving Mental Well-Being through Brain Neuromodulation Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), which involved conducting empirical research on brain neuromodulation and mental health. She is currently a PhD student at the UKEN Doctoral School in Kraków in the discipline of Psychology. Her research focuses on gratitude, meaning in life, emotion regulation strategies, mental well-being, and occupational burnout. In her scientific work, she concentrates on the role of personal resources as well as regulatory and preventive mechanisms in the promotion and maintenance of mental health. She has gained practical experience at the Kraków Therapy Center and in the Psychologists’ Section of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Kraków.

A doctoral student in the field of security studies at the University of National Education in Kraków (UKEN).

A graduate of the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora at Jagiellonian University. A member of Polish Association for Canada Studies.

His research interests include special operations forces, military history, and the future of warfare.

He is currently preparing his doctoral dissertation on special operations forces.

Magdalena Furmaniuk (she/her) – PhD candidate in Art Studies. Graduate of Art History at Jagiellonian University and Contemporary Art at UKEN. She is currently preparing a dissertation that explores contemporary Polish textile objects through the lens of feminist theory.

I am interested in solid-state physics, particularly vacuum-based research methods and high-vacuum techniques. The research methods that interest me the most are Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) and Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), as well as the wide-bandgap materials produced using MBE for applications in the electronics and semiconductor industries.

In 2023, I was employed at the Institute of Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) in the Department of Physics and Technology of Wide-Bandgap Semiconductor Nanostructures, where I worked as a physicist, which allowed me to deepen my research interests.

Currently, as part of my PhD work, I am conducting research on doped cathodoluminescent systems based on ZnO.

My areas of interest also include the application of electron beam methods in industry.

Jestem absolwentką Uniwersytetu Pedagogicznego w Krakowie, a obecnie realizuję doktorat z psychologii, koncentrując się na badaniu problematyki kobietobójstwa i psychologicznych mechanizmów przemocy wobec kobiet. Moje zainteresowania badawcze obejmują również ciemną triadę osobowości oraz psychologię emocji, co zaowocowało publikacją naukową na ten temat oraz przeprowadzonymi badaniami na populacji więziennej.

Na co dzień łączę działalność naukową z pracą terapeutyczną. Aktywnie wspieram kobiety z doświadczeniem przemocy w Centrum Praw Kobiet, gdzie pomagam im odzyskać poczucie bezpieczeństwa i pewności siebie. Jestem także związana z dwoma gabinetami psychologicznymi, gdzie pracuję jako psycholożka oraz psychoterapeutka (w trakcie szkolenia), oferując wsparcie w zakresie zaburzeń lękowych, depresji i problemów interpersonalnych. W swojej praktyce stosuję podejście integracyjne, łącząc elementy różnych nurtów psychoterapeutycznych, co pozwala mi lepiej dopasować metody pracy do indywidualnych potrzeb moich pacjentów.

Dzięki różnorodnym doświadczeniom zawodowym – od pracy naukowej, przez działalność pomocową, po codzienną praktykę terapeutyczną – stale rozwijam swoje kompetencje jako psycholog i psychoterapeuta, by móc oferować pacjentom wszechstronną i empatyczną pomoc.

I am a PhD student at the University of the National Education Commission in the discipline of social communication and media. I graduated from MA and BA studies at the Institute of Jewish Studies at the Jagiellonian University. I participated in international workshops for young scientists “Jewish cultural heritage in western Poland. Documentation of Jewish cemeteries” and helped to organise the international workshops “In Search of Ancient Gaugamela”, as well as the scientific symposium “Bliski Wschód i jego dziedzictwo. Przemysław Dec in memoriam”. In 2022, I was an Erasmus+ scholarship holder at the University of Leiden. I also completed postgraduate studies in Foreign Service at the Warsaw School of Economics. My current research interests include Polish-Jewish relations, public diplomacy, the Israeli-Arab conflict, the history and politics of contemporary Israel, and social media, which is why my doctoral thesis will concern the image of the Israel-Hamas war in social media popular among Generation Z.

Philosopher, sociologist, cultural studies scholar. She holds two master’s degrees in Comparative Studies of Civilizations and Sociology (Digital Society), both from the Faculty of Philosophy at the Jagiellonian University. Currently, she is a PhD candidate in Philosophy at the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow (UKEN).
Her academic interests include affordances, social ontology (problems of psychophysical dualism and relational ontology of the subject), Eastern philosophy (especially Japanese thought), philosophy of the body and embodiment (including concepts of extended embodiment), and cultural visions of the future (solarpunk). Her doctoral dissertation explores a transcultural comparison between the Kyoto School and Western postphenomenology. In her free time: a big tourist (85 countries so far), an art enjoyer (both consumptively and creatively) and a cat lover.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0215-4919

I am a PhD student at the Pedagogical University of Krakow in the discipline of philosophy. I am a highly motivated individual with a strong academic background and diverse work experience. My educational journey began at Fatih Sultan Mehmet University, where I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. During my studies, I focused on the concept of progress in the history of science, exploring its significance and impact.

For my Master’s thesis, I delved into the intricacies of this concept, conducting extensive research and analysing its evolution throughout scientific advancements. This allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between scientific progress and societal development.

My doctoral research focuses on the concept of infinity in Spinoza and its implications for contemporary political philosophy. My aim in this thesis is to reassess Spinoza’s concept of infinity from a new perspective and give it a new meaning in contemporary political philosophy.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I have engaged in various professional endeavors. I have translated numerous books, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge across different cultures. Moreover, I have played an integral role in organizing cultural events, fostering an environment of exchange and appreciation for diverse art forms.

Beyond my academic and professional achievements, I possess a range of skills that contribute to my versatility. I am proficient in graphic design, allowing me to create visually compelling content. Additionally, I have developed expertise in influencer marketing, harnessing the power of social media to promote meaningful causes.

Outside my academic and professional pursuits, I have a deep passion in theatre and actively participate in theatrical productions. Furthermore, I find solace in the art of poetry, and I enjoy expressing my thoughts and emotions through the written word.

Overall, my multidisciplinary background, coupled with my diverse skill set, enables me to approach challenges from various perspectives. I am eager to contribute my knowledge and expertise to projects that promote intellectual growth and cultural exchange.

I am PhD candidate in the discipline of Physics. My research involves the study of nonlinear phenomena, in particular solitons at Josephson junctions. I focus on the description of their dynamics depending on the modification of the junction geometry. The topic of my PhD dissertation is “Solitons dynamics in Josephson junctions”; this work is prepared under the supervision of Prof. Tomasz Dobrowolski. I started my PhD right after receiving the Bachelor’s degree. I am a graduate of Physics at Pedagogical University of Cracow. My undergraduate thesis concerned the possibility of using the Mössabauer spectroscopy in geological research and was entitled “Application of Mössbauer 57Fe spectroscopy in the study of paleoenvironmental redox conditions”. Since 2021 I am the president of the Doctoral Student Government of the Pedagogical University of Cracow. I am also a scholarship holder of the Kosciuszko Foundation.

ORCID: 0000-0001-8678-7251

He submitted a doctoral thesis entitled „Kink Dynamics in the sine-Gordon Model: Interaction with Inhomogeneities”.

On 11.06.2024r. the public defence of the doctoral thesis took place

Information about the public defence and thesis https://bip.uken.krakow.pl/lic-jacek-gatlik/

PhD student in social sciences in the field of social communication and media studies. Her interests focus on interdisciplinary research into cultural processes in which design, sustainable development, and social innovation play a key role. She pays particular attention to the study of creativity and inclusiveness as important factors of transformation, and to the analysis of communication dynamics in the context of contemporary media and their impact on ideas about the future (future studies). She is the author of reports and curator of exhibitions. She co-creates strategies and tools that help individuals and organizations adapt to a dynamically changing reality.
A graduate of the Faculty of Design and Interior Architecture and the Faculty of Visual Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź. Since 2019, she has been actively involved in the Fashion Revolution Polska organization, managing projects in the areas of responsible fashion, CSR, circular economy, and consumer education. She collaborates with the Design Center in Gdynia. She combines diverse interests and experiences in the spirit of multipotentiality, believing in the value of resilience. She is passionate about simplicity, travel, and a flexible approach to life.

e-mail: elizagawrjolek@gmail.com

PhD candidate at the Doctoral School of UKEN in Krakow (discipline: sociological sciences). A graduate of sociology from the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow and journalism and social communication from the Jagiellonian University. She also completed postgraduate studies in User Experience & Business Design at the Józef Tischner European University.
In her doctoral dissertation, she analyzes the specificity of Generation Z communication in the era of digital transformation, focusing on the mechanisms of role hybridization and the functioning of the individual within “onlife” ecosystems, as well as their impact on contemporary social structures.
She has extensive professional experience, gained through her work for creative agencies and international corporations, including marketing and communication strategies, UX and project management.
Research interests: sociology of communication and media, digital sociology, intergenerational communication, digital identity, and social psychology.

Aleksandra Gębacz – PhD student in social sciences in the discipline of security science. A graduate of the I and II degree studies in state security at the University of the National Education Commission in Cracow. Her research interests are focused on research on the use of artificial intelligence in the field of defense, in particular by analysing the issues of operational effectiveness and decision-making processes. The doctoral dissertation analyses the problems and potential benefits resulting from the implementation of artificial intelligence in the context of defence operations.

My name is Fatemeh Gholami, a PhD Student at the Pedagogical University of Krakow. I specialize at English Studies with two masters’ Degrees. My field of study at PUK is Literary Studies and I follow my line of research on Place studies, Spatiality Literary Studies, Ecospace and Bioregions depicted in literary works. As for the context of my work, I am focused on Migration/Diaspora Literature of the 21^st century including novels, memoirs and visual productions. Observing how migrant authors represent places of movement either in a fictional manner or as real cartographic places can reveal if these authors are concerned with promoting certain ecological literacy through their texts or not. Inspired by the academic sphere and the interdisciplinarity involved at PUK, my dissertation aims at intersecting the Spatial Turn and Ecological Turn in the Humanities through highlighting the significance of places in the world today. My conference presentations have invariably been about ecocritical readings of texts and how literature and culture in general can play a key role in changing people’s perspectives toward building more environmentally-aware societies. Literature does matter after all.

Doctoral candidate in the humanities, specializing in history.
Graduate in History (2023), Administration (2023), and Political Science (2022) at the University of the Commission of National Education.

My research interests focus on the socio-political history of the South Caucasus, with particular emphasis on the Republic of Armenia, as well as on the issue of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. I am preparing my doctoral dissertation, supervised by Dr. habil. Anna Zapalec, Professor at UKEN, titled The Armenian Question at the League of Nations Forum.

I am a PhD candidate in the discipline of Social Communication and Media Studies. I hold a degree in Design as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Design from the Faculty of Arts at the University of the Commission of National Education in Kraków (UKEN). I specialize in interdisciplinary design, encompassing print and digital graphic design, visual communication, UX/UI design, and product and interior design.

My research interests focus on social media, UX/UI design, color theory and psychology, and the design of digital learning environments, including microlearning. As part of my doctoral training, I conduct research on the role of visual design and digital interfaces in communication processes and learning experiences of Generation Z in microlearning digital environments.

I am a doctoral student at the Doctoral School of the Pedagogical University in Cracow in the discipline of history and a graduate of the Institute of History at the Jagiellonian University, where I defended a thesis entitled “The Belarusian question in the concepts of selected currents of Polish political thought (from the beginning of the XX century to 1921)”.

Currently, the topic of my doctoral dissertation is the borderland town on the example of Hrodna in historical thought and awareness in the XIX and the first half of the XX century. In addition, my interests include issues of historical memory, nationality relations in Central and Eastern Europe, the history of the XIX and XX centuries including political and cultural relations and urban history. I have also been involved in popularising history for many years and have participated in educational and cultural projects

PhD student in art studies. Graduate of Art & Science (MA, University of the National Education Commission), Philosophy (BA, Jagiellonian University, Interfaculty Individual Studies in the Humanities), and Intermedia (BA, Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków). Her research interests focus on Polish identity in art, the future of religious and sacral art, art and folk piety, as well as philosophy and contemporary debates surrounding Polish messianism. She is currently preparing a doctoral dissertation on contemporary exhibitions devoted to the theme of Polishness.

Historian, curator, and art critic. Studied at Trnava University and at Charles University in Prague. He has worked as chief curator at Nitra Gallery and Bratislava City Gallery, lectured in the Department of Art Theory and History at the Academy of Art in Banská Bystrica, and served as an independent expert on questions concerning galleries at the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. He has curated more than fifty exhibitions at home and abroad and has written reviews and essays. Founder of the journals Dart (1999) and Jazdec (2009), he initiated the stipendium for young curators (2003) and is also the creator of the web-archive www.artdispecing.sk, the greatest source of visual art oral history in Slovakia. Former president of the Council of Slovak Galleries, as the vice-president of the Slovak Section of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) he was co-author and co-organizer of the XLVI AICA International Congress in Slovakia in 2013. He regularly participates in conferences and seminars, has lectured in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, China, Hungary, Croatia, South Korea, Chile, South Africa, UK, Poland, Italy and the USA, and has had stipendiary stays in the USA, Austria, UK, Denmark, Germany, Poland and Israel. In 2008, on his initiative, the Cyprián Majerník Gallery in Bratislava (originally founded in 1957) was re-established (existed till 2014). His book Haberernová´s Eye. Post-Informal Figuration in Slovak Visual Art of 1960s was published in 2013. In 2014 he worked as appointed director and till 2016 chief curator at Dom umenia/Kunsthalle Bratislava. In 2015 he organized the international conference Could We Speak of Bratislava Conceptualism? (Textbook published in 2022). In years 2016-2021 he was PhD candidate at Trnava University. In 2017 he received the fellowship at Clark Art Institute, Williamstown (MA, USA). After one-year curatorial appointment in Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín (Czech Republic) he serves for the second term as director of The Peter Michal Bohúň Gallery in Liptov (Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia) since 2019.

My name is Xu He, and I am from China. I have been learning Polish as a foreign language for five years. Currently, I am a doctoral student at the Pedagogical University of Krakow, specializing in pedagogy. I completed my master’s degree in teaching Polish as a foreign and second language at the Jagiellonian University. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in Polish studies, which I obtained at the Pedagogical University in Harbin, China. My academic interests focus on comparing approaches to education in Poland and China at the primary school level, particularly for children aged 13-15. I am interested in the goals, ideas, cultural factors, and systemic solutions in both countries.

Magda Hueckel 

Visual artist, theater photographer, stage designer, traveler. A graduate of the Faculty of Painting and Graphic Arts at the Gdańsk Academy of Fine Arts. Scholarship holder of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the City of Sopot. Her works have been exhibited at several dozen exhibitions in Poland and abroad (including Tate Britain in London). Author of photo books’ ‘Anima. Pictures from Africa 2005–2013’ and ‘HUECKEL / THEATER’ (nominations for the Photographic Publication of the Year 2014 and 2016).She collaborates with Tomasz Śliwiński on filmmaking as scriptwriter and art director. Their documentary film “Our Curse” received an Oscar nomination and dozens of awards at international festivals. The premiere of their newest film “Ondine” took place in 2019. She constantly cooperates with over a dozen theaters in Poland. She has created documentation of several hundred theater performances. Many iconic photographs of contemporary Polish plays are the works of Magda Hueckel. In the years 2002–2004 she created the photographic duo hueckelserafin with Agata Serafin. President and founder of the Polish CCHS Foundation Lift the Curse.