Profile

Professor Ewa Wilczek-Rużyczka is a psychologist and researcher specializing in clinical and health psychology. An alumna of Jagiellonian University, her work focuses on clinical and health psychology, specifically exploring key psychological factors that influence health, psychological support for individuals with chronic or terminal illnesses, interpersonal relationships, and professional functioning.

Academic Leadership and Administrative Experience

Throughout her career, Prof. Wilczek-Rużyczka has held significant leadership roles within Poland’s prestigious higher education institutions, including:

• Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University (2012–2025):
  • Dean: Faculty of Psychology, Pedagogy and Humanities (2020–2025)
  • Head of Department: Department of Health Psychology
  • Chair of the Faculty Commission for Research and Development (2014–2020)
  • Member of the Faculty Commission for Education Quality (for 10 years)
• Jagiellonian University Medical College (2001–2012):
  • Vice Director: Institute at the Faculty of Health Sciences (2008–2011)
  • Head of Department: Department of Nursing and Clinical Psychology (2001–2007)
  • University Governance: Elected member of the Jagiellonian University Senate (2002–2005) and long-standing member of the Faculty Board
  • Strategic Appointments: Served as the Rector’s Representative for the National Qualifications Framework

Scholarly Contributions and Publications

Prof. Wilczek-Rużyczka is a prolific scholar with an extensive bibliography of national and international impact. She has authored or co-authored 9 monographs and edited 12 collective volumes. Her published work includes 110 journal articles and 79 book chapters. She presented over 150 papers at approximately 100 academic conferences, including more than 30 international events.

Notable Publications:

• Judges, Decision Making and Empathy: Insights from the Bench. Routledge; Taylor & Francis Group, 2025
• Wypalenie zawodowe a empatia u lekarzy i pielęgniarek [Professional Burnout and Empathy among Doctors and Nurses]. Jagiellonian University Press, 2008

Research Grants and International Projects

An experienced principal investigator and coordinator, she has contributed to seven major research teams, leading five of them at the national or international level:

• "Empathy as a Challenge: The Example of Polish Judges" (2019–2024) — Served as an expert for this National Science Centre-funded project in collaboration with Jagiellonian University.
• "Motivational Skills Training in Health & Social Care" (2006–2008) — Served as the Polish Coordinator for this Leonardo da Vinci program project, partnering with the University of Sheffield and university centers in Barcelona, Paris, Leuven, Ljubljana, and Venice.

Professional Affiliations and Public Service

In her work, Prof. Wilczek-Rużyczka bridges the gap between academia and public policy. Between 2012 and 2017, she served as a National Consultant for the Minister of Health, contributing to the development of community psychiatry programs under the National Mental Health Protection Program (NPOZP).

Current Leadership Roles:

• President of the Polish Balint Association
• President of the Society for Psychosomatic Education
• Member of the Scientific Council of the Polish Psychological Association
• Member of the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS)

Honors and Awards

• Silver Cross of Merit, awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland (2010)
• Medal of the Commission of National Education (2007)

Mentorship and Teaching

In her role as a mentor, Dr. Wilczek-Rużyczka has supervised three successfully completed doctoral dissertations and has served as a reviewer in ten doctoral and three postdoctoral (habilitation) proceedings.

At SWPS University, she teaches courses in the psychology of health and illness, as well as extracurricular seminars on the psychology of stress, professional burnout, and empathy. She is also a Master's thesis advisor.