The Center conducts research on the economic, financial and management processes related to the development, preservation, commemoration and functioning of memorial sites around the world. The Center also carries out related activities, including diagnosis of the financial and administrative requirements of memorial sites; gathering and analysis of best practices, and the development of measures of effectiveness related to the operation of various memorial sites around the world. Additionally, the Center organizes seminars and conferences to provide interdisciplinary networking opportunities for individuals and institutions involved in the development and operation of memorial sites. It also researches and promotes standards of management and commemoration that have been developed in Poland according to the recommendations of the Wannsee Memorandum.
MISSION
Memorial sites play an important role as elements of historical education and as a warning against horrific crimes committed by totalitarian regimes. However, for the warning to be loud and clear, these sites must function and fulfill their educational role, they must be preserved. To safeguard these crucial social values significant resources are required. Although the majority of memorial sites face considerable financial and organizational difficulties, some of them fulfill their social mission very effectively and develop best management, fundraising, and commemoration standards. The economic, financial, and managerial aspects of preserving memorial sites, though crucial for societies, have not been researched prior to the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites.
The main goal of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites is the development of scientific doctrine of the economics of memorial sites, which will provide a set of best practices and measures of effectiveness, related to the economic, financial and management aspects of the development, preservation, commemoration and functioning of memorial sites.
Associate Professor Adam Szpaderski
Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites
Research Team & Collaborators

Associate Professor
Adam Szpaderski
Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites

Piotr M. A. Cywiński, Ph.D.
Historian, the Chief Expert of the Center and Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Professor
Klaus Bachmann
Historian and political scientist, specializes in European integration, totalitarian regimes, and transitional justice

Jacek Kastelaniec
Senior Advisor for the World Jewish Congress, co-founder and former long-standing Director General of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation

Associate Professor
Mirosław Filiciak
Media and culture expert, researches the relationship between digital media and cultural participation
bio »

Associate Professor
Mikołaj Cześnik
Sociologist and political scientist, his research interests include public opinion and political choices of citizens, he specializes in the analysis of political systems, especially democracy
bio »

Professor
Krzysztof Jaskułowski
Sociologist and historian, specializes in public memory, theory of nation and nationalism
bio »

Professor
Piotr Kwiatkowski
Sociologist, researches public memory of Polish society, social roles of museums and issues related to public access
bio »

Associate Professor
Igor Lyubashenko
Political scientist, specializes in transitional justice, system transformation in post-communist states
bio »

Associate Professor
Radomir Miński
sociologist, he specializes in elite theory, silver economy and qualitative research of life trajectories

Assistant Professor
Katarzyna Wojtkiewicz
lawyer, economist, expert in strategic and information technology management
bio »

Robert Kunczt, J.D.
Lawyer, lecturer at the University of the Incarnate Word (USA), specilizes in human rights, legal systems, international organizations, and the rule of law

Professor
Christopher P. Neck
Associate Professor of Management at Arizona State University (USA), specializes in organizational behavior, leadership and group decision making process

Andrzej Goworski
Assistant at the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites, specializes in the culture and history of CEE countries and Russia
PROGRAM OF RESEARCH
The main goal of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites is the development of scientific doctrine of the economics of memorial sites, which will provide best practices and measures of effectiveness related to the economic, financial and management aspects of the development, preservation, commemoration and functioning of memorial sites. This goal will be realized in collaboration with the leading stakeholders in the community, including national institutions, directors, fundraisers, benefactors and curators.
To realize this mission, the Center will conduct international comparative research at the memorial sites, where the former German Nazi concentration camps, extermination camps and places of mass executions are located, including the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Netherlands (Holland), Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. At a later stage, research will be expanded to include other memorial sites around the world.
RESEARCH
Research Project: Key Factors Determining the Achievement of Strategic Goals of Museums and Memorial Sites of the Former Nazi German Concentration and Extermination Camps with particular emphasis on the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim

The project aims to identify and analyze key factors determining the achievement of strategic goals of museums and memorial sites of the former Nazi German concentration and extermination camps with particular emphasis on the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim and to formulate development strategies for these institutions with the application of SWOT/TOWS analysis. The results of the project will be also used to develop tools for international comparative studies on determinants and strategies of effectiveness of institutionalized memorial sites related to the Nazi German camp system in Europe.
Project website »
Dofinansowanie Projektu
Dofinansowano ze środków Ministra Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego
Project Co-financing
Project co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage
Partners
- Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation
- Gross-Rosen Museum in Rogoźnica
- The State Museum at Majdanek. The Nazi German Concentration and Extermination Camp (1941-1944)
- Museum and Memorial in Bełżec. The Nazi German Extermination Camp (1942-1943)
- Museum and Memorial in Sobibor. The Nazi German Extermination Camp (1942-1943)
- The Historical Museum of the City of Kraków
- Museum Stutthof in Sztutowo. The Nazi German Concentration and Extermination Camp (1939-1945)
- Muzeum Martyrologiczne w Żabikowie (Memorial and Museum in Żabikowo)
- Museum of the Former German Kulmhof Death Camp in Chełmno on Ner
- Treblinka Museum. The Nazi German Extermination Camp and Labor Camp (1941-1944)
- Dulag 121 Museum
- The Museum of Pawiak Prison in Warsaw
- Mauzoleum Walki i Męczeństwa (Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom)
- Central Museum of Prisoners of War
Program Committee
- Piotr M. A. Cywiński, Ph.D., the Chair of the Program Committee
Director Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, President of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, and Chief Expert of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites at SWPS University - Janusz Barszcz
Director of the Gross-Rosen Museum in Rogoźnica - Edward Kopówka, Ph.D.
Director of the Treblinka Museum. The Nazi German Extermination Camp and Forced Labor Camp (1941-1944) - Tomasz Kranz, Ph.D.
Director of the State Museum at Majdanek. The Nazi German Concentration and Extermination Camp (1941-1944), the Museum and Memorial in Bełżec. The Nazi German Extermination Camp (1942-1943), and the Museum and Memorial Site in Sobibor Nazi German Extermination Camp (1942-1943) - Michał Niezabitowski
Director of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków (host of Museum – Memorial Site KL Plaszow) - Piotr Tarnowski
Director of the Museum Stutthof in Sztutowo. The Nazi German Concentration and Extermination Camp (1939-1945) - Anna Ziółkowska, Ph.D.
Director of Muzeum Martyrologiczne w Żabikowie (Memorial and Museum in Żabikowo) and the Museum of the Former German Kulmhof Death Camp in Chełmno on Ner - Adam Szpaderski, Associate Professor at SWPS University, the Secretary of the Program Committee, Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites
Networking
Cooperation Agreement with the Central Museum of Prisoners of War

On September 28, 2018, Associate Professor Adam Szpaderski, Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites at SWPS University, signed a cooperation agreement with the Central Museum of Prisoners of War, represented by dr. Violetta Rezler-Wasielewska, Ph.D., Director of the Museum. The agreements will facilitate cooperation of both parties related to the development of research on the economics of memorial sites, which will include sets of best practices and measures of effectiveness related to the economic, financial and management aspects of the development, preservation, commemoration and functioning of memorial sites.
Cooperation Agreement with the Museum of Pawiak Prison in Warsaw and Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom
On September 26, 2018, Associate Professor Adam Szpaderski, Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites at SWPS University, signed a cooperation agreement with the Museum of Pawiak Prison in Warsaw and the Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom, represented by dr. Tadusz Skoczek, Ph.D., Director of the Museum of Independence in Warsaw, and Małgorzata Łusiak, Chief Accounting Officer. The agreements will facilitate cooperation of the afore-mentioned parties related to the development of research on the economics of memorial sites, which will include sets of best practices and measures of effectiveness related to the economic, financial and management aspects of the development, preservation, commemoration and functioning of memorial sites.

Cooperation Agreement with Treblinka Museum. The Nazi German Extermination Camp and Forced Labor Camp (1941-1944)

On September 21, 2018, Associate Professor Adam Szpaderski, Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites at SWPS University, signed a cooperation agreement with the Treblinka Museum. The Nazi German Extermination Camp and Forced Labor Camp (1941-1944), represented by dr. Edward Kopówka, Ph.D., Director of the Museum. The agreement will facilitate cooperation of both parties related to the development of research on the economics of memorial sites, which will include sets of best practices and measure of effectiveness related to the economic, financial and management aspects of the development, preservation, commemoration and functioning of memorial sites.
Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Gestapo
Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Gestapo organized by the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków took place from 13 to 15 September, 2018 in Kraków. One of the main panelists in the discussion that opened the event’s conference on Memorial Sites: Present and Future was Associate Professor Adam Szpaderski, Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites at SWPS University, who presented the economic and managerial determinants of the institutionalization of memorial sites related to the Nazi German camp system in Poland and Europe. Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Gestapo event was hosted by the Mayor of the City of Kraków. The conference was organized under the auspices of the Governor of the Lesser Poland Province and the Director of the Kraków branch of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN).

Research on the Role of Cultural Heritage in the Building of (National) Identity in Post Conflict Situations

A prestigious international conference, Research on the Role of Cultural Heritage in the Building of (National) Identity in Post Conflict Situations, took place from 10 to 12 September, 2018 at the Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw. The conference was opened by the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The event was organized as part of the Joint Heritage European Program (JHEP2) focused on the coordination and actions supporting the Joint Program Initiatives on cultural heritage and global change. The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage is a beneficiary of the program. Associate Professor Adam Szpaderski, as the Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites at SWPS University, was one of the guests at the conference. The conference was an excellent networking opportunity. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the National Institute for Museums and Public Collections and the Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute.
Remembrance Forum: Conference of Martyrdom Museums
The 9th Remembrance Forum: Conference of Martyrdom Museums in Poland took place from 5 to 6 September, 2018 at the Museum Stutthof in Sztutowo. At the conference, Associate Professor Adam Szpaderski, Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites at SWPS University, delivered a lecture titled “The Economics of Memorial Sites: Research Assumptions and Advantages for the Sector.” The annual Remembrance Forum provides a platform for opinion leaders and leading experts from Poland and other countries, such as directors, curators, researchers, and also representatives of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The event was organized by the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and the Museum Stutthof in Sztutowo, represented by Piotr M. A. Cywiński, Ph.D., Director of Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and Piotr Tarnowski, Director of the Museum Stutthof in Sztutowo.

Cooperation Agreement with the Museum Dulag 121
On September 17, 2018, Associate Professor Adam Szpaderski, Head of the Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites at SWPS University, signed a cooperation agreement with the Museum Dulag 121, represented by Małgorzata Bojanowska, Director of the Museum. The agreement will facilitate cooperation of both parties related to the development of research on the economics of memorial sites, which will include sets of best practices and measures of effectiveness related to the economic, financial and management aspects of the development, preservation, commemoration and functioning of memorial sites. Museum Dulag 121 in Pruszków commemorates and documents the history of the Nazi German transit camp Dulag 121 and the life stories of inhabitants of Warsaw and the surrounding areas, who were expelled from their homes by Germans during and after the 1944 Warsaw Uprising.

1st Expert Panel on the Economics of Memorial Sites
On April 16, 2018, SWPS University hosted the 1st Expert Panel on the Economics of Memorial Sites
Center in the Media
- Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites
Interview with Adam Szpaderski by Paweł Sawicki. Memoria. 2018, no 5, pp. 24-27:
https://joom.ag/30eY/p24
- Centrum Badań nad Ekonomiką Miejsc Pamięci
Wywiad z Adamem Szpaderskim przeprowadził Paweł Sawicki. Memoria. 2018, nr 5, s. 24-27:
https://joom.ag/rCCY/p24
Location
SWPS University
Chodakowska 19/31
03-815 Warsaw
room N235 (2nd floor)
Contact
Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
tel. + 48 691 780 930
e-mail: aszpaderski@swps.edu.pl