Profile

Magdalena Leśnierowska, Ph.D., is a psychologist and researcher specializing in the intersection of traumatic stress, occupational health, and the application of new technologies in psychology. Her expertise lies in the psychological mechanisms of direct and indirect exposure to trauma — particularly within high-risk professions — and the design, evaluation, and implementation of digital psychological interventions.

Research & Innovation. Dr. Leśnierowska specializes in traumatic stress, with a focus on secondary traumatic stress and the development of evidence-based digital tools for psychological interventions. Utilizing Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) frameworks, she designs and tests the clinical effectiveness of online platforms and smartphone applications. She collaborated in several high-impact international projects, including:

• SMILE (Supporting Mental Health in Young People): A Horizon Europe initiative developing a serious game and other gamified digital tools to strengthen resilience and mental health in children and young adults
• Med-Stress & Med-Stress SOS: Digital interventions designed to support healthcare professionals in managing occupational stress, specifically tailored to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• E-COMPARED: A large-scale European project investigating the comparative effectiveness of internet-based treatments for depression.
• Secondary Traumatic Stress: Extensive research into the psychological toll and resource-strengthening strategies for individuals indirectly exposed to trauma.

Military & Practical Expertise. With eight years of experience as a military psychologist within the Polish Armed Forces, Dr. Leśnierowska has a unique practical background. She worked in the 2nd Tactical Air Force Wing in Poznań, Air Operations Center (COP-DKP) in Warsaw, and collaborated with the War Studies University in Warsaw. Her expertise extends beyond standard military psychology to the psychology of survival, and resilience in critical environments.

Academic & Professional Impact. At SWPS University, she manages international education programs. She serves as the Coordinator of the BA Psychology in English Program and the Coordinator of the Business Psychology Specialization within the MA Psychology in English Program. Her teaching expertise includes:

• Statistics and research methodology.
• The synergy between psychology and technology.
• Stress-coping techniques and mental health in high-risk professions.

Professional Organizations. She is an active member of international research organizations, including the European Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ESRII), European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS), the European Association of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Treatment (EACLIPT), and the Association for Psychological Science (APS).