SWPS University has been building its leading position among higher education institutions in Poland on two pillars: education and research. Recently, the Central Commission for Academic Degrees and Titles has recognized contributions to science made by our Institute of Social Sciences, led by Professor Mikołaj Cześnik, and authorized SWPS University to grant doctoral degrees in political science and administration. This means doctoral candidates can now choose studies in six disciplines, including literary studies, cultural and art studies, politics, administration and public policy studies, law, social sciences, and psychology. We are proud to have already granted 325 doctoral degrees, 81 post-doctoral degrees (habilitacja), and to have successfully completed 8 procedures related to granting professorial titles.
Social Sciences – Acclaimed Faculty, Dynamic Development
Gaining the right to grant doctoral degrees in politics, administration and public policy studies “indicates recognition for our interdisciplinary research perspective that includes the broad body of knowledge accumulated by other social sciences disciplines, mainly sociology and psychology. This is one of many successes of our Institute of Social Sciences, confirming dynamic development of the Institute”, says Professor Mikołaj Cześnik, Director of the Institute of Social Sciences.
Our undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students have an opportunity to work with world-class researchers, for example: political scientist, Radosław Markowski, a renowned expert in studies on democracy, party systems and voters’ behavior; sociologist and economist, Izabela Grabowska, who specializes in human capital issues and international migrations; political scientist and historian, Klaus Bachmann, an expert in European integration, transitional justice, and totalitarianism; or historian Krzysztof Jaskułowski, who researches historical memory policies.
At SWPS University, there are four, interdisciplinary research centers that focus on social sciences and conduct advanced projects, whose results are applied in many areas of the economy or in communities and organizations, including Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites, Center for the Study of Democracy, International Center for Research on Leadership, and Youth Research Center. Another research unit, the Mobility Research Group, that provides an integrative platform for scholars specializing in migration and development is also actively conducing research projects.
We are extremely proud of this success achieved by SWPS University. Gaining the rights to grant doctoral degrees in politics, administration and public policy studies confirms the high standard of research conducted in this field by our scholars. It also indicates recognition for our interdisciplinary research perspective that includes the broad body of knowledge accumulated by other disciplines of social sciences, mainly sociology and psychology. This is yet another success of our Institute of Social Sciences, confirming dynamic development of the Institute.
Professor Mikołaj Cześnik, Director of the Institute of Social Sciences
Doctoral Studies at SWPS University
Our doctoral students actively participate in research and activities of our research centers and teams. For students planning an academic career, our Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities offers a unique professional development and education model, including a mentoring program that is unique to our university. The School operates under the umbrella of SWPS University's Interdisciplinary Doctoral School.
The School is a member of two international organizations, which support young researchers in professional development. The EUA Council for Doctoral Education champions improvements in doctoral education in Europe, fosters networking with other research centers, supports exchange of good practices, and helps to initiate international projects, while VITAE, a UK-based non-profit organization, enhances the skills of researchers and supports transitions of doctoral students to industry, by providing an international networking platform. SWPS University is the first higher education institution in Poland to have become a member of VITAE.
“We are creating a modern university that bridges tradition and innovation”, says Professor Izabela Grabowska, Director of SWPS University’s Doctoral School. At SWPS University, the direction of research, which significantly contributes to science and changes lives for the better, is charted by renowned researchers, who are passionate about their work. SWPS University owes its place among top higher education institutions in Poland to these scholars and lecturers who ensure the highest standards of teaching, provided thanks to an innovative teaching model. “When we enter SWPS University, we leave parts of our hearts here, and the University stays with us for the rest of our lives”, adds Professor Grabowska.
SWPS University’s Research Potential
So far, we have granted 325 doctoral degrees, 81 post-doctoral degrees (habilitacja), and have successfully completed 8 procedures related to granting professorial titles.
Currently, SWPS University has the right to grant doctoral degrees in six disciplines, including literary studies, cultural and art studies, politics, administration and public policy studies, law, social sciences, and psychology, and post-doctoral degrees (habilitacja) in three disciplines, including cultural and art studies, law, and psychology.
Our researchers and lecturers are our biggest potential. The team includes over 60 professors, more than 70 faculty members with post-doctoral degrees (habilitacja), and about 200 faculty members with doctoral degrees. Our researchers conduct numerous research projects. For years, SWPS University has been among the top recipients of grants funded by the National Science Centre (NCN). Between 2011 and 2019, SWPS University received 175 research grants, worth over PLN 72 million (close to EUR 16 million), from NCN, which places us in the fourth place among top recipients of research grants from this institution, in the categories of humanities, social sciences, and cultural and art studies.
The comprehensive evaluation by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education also confirms a strong standing of SWPS University. We are among the top 5 percent of higher education institutions in Poland, which received the highest category A+, in the Ministry’s assessment.