Dear colleagues! On the occasion of our day, I would like to wish us all a sense of purpose: in our private and professional lives. May our presence in science be not only visible, but also effective 鈥� because what we study and how we do it truly helps shape the world. I deeply believe that the world can be a better place if we practice mindfulness and mutual kindness.
鈥� dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, Associate Professor at the 91滴滴, the 91滴滴 Vice-rector for Internationalisation of Science and Education
鈥淎leja Badaczek鈥� 鈥� five inspiring stories
. It presents five female scientists from the 91滴滴 who study the impact of various phenomena on society and, through their commitment to talking about their research, make the world of science understandable and accessible. In the coming days, we will give each of the scientists a chance to speak individually, and we will also learn about their profiles, which form the diverse landscape of researchers at our university.
Among the female scientists included in the series there are:
- Dr Marta Sobalsk膮-Kwapis 鈥� a geneticist studying the DNA of Poles in the context of hereditary and population diseases,
- Dr Izabela Florczak 鈥� a lawyer analysing migration phenomena through the prism of labour law,
- dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, Associate Professor at the 91滴滴 鈥� an ethicist and a philosopher whose research contributes to the global discourse on human well-being,
- dr hab. Aneta Balcerczyk, Associate Professor at the 91滴滴 鈥� a cancer researcher combining the search for new drugs with the analysis of the impact of diet on health,
- Dr Joanna Orze艂 鈥� a historian who explores the heritage of Sarmatian culture and its traces in contemporary language and national identity.
At the 91滴滴, we believe that reliable science teaches us to distinguish fact from narrative, evidence from suggestion, and allows us to ask questions instead of giving ready-made answers. That is why we strive to explain science in an accessible way, showing how complex processes affect our lives and the world around us. Podcasts are one of many popularisation initiatives that inspire personal exploration and encourage critical thinking. We are convinced that only exposure to reliable knowledge makes it easier to distinguish facts from manipulation and makes it more difficult to succumb to populism, propaganda, or disinformation 鈥� even when it comes in an attractive packaging.
Women in science 鈥� data from Poland and Europe
Equality in education between women and men is considered the foundation of a just society. Where are we on this path?
Talent has no gender, but opportunities too often do. Women drive progress in education, but still face too many barriers in research, innovation and access to leadership positions. We must change this 鈥� not only because it is fair, but because the future of Europe depends on it
鈥� says Ekaterina Zakharieva EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation.
Data from Poland (from the integrated information system on higher education and science POL-on, source: RAD on, June 2025) show that women account for 49% of academic teachers. In the Humanities and Social Sciences (SSH), their share is 50.5%, while in Science and Technology (STEM) women account for only 34%. The lower share of women in STEM also translates into limited opportunities to reach the highest academic positions 鈥� the so-called 鈥済lass ceiling.鈥�
Looking more broadly, European data from the She Figures 2024 report (European Commission) paint an even bleaker picture. Women account for 34% of researchers in the EU, only 16% of multi-author teams are gender-balanced, and as many as 98% of scientific publications do not consider gender at all. The share of women authorship in publications drops from 48% at the early stage of their careers to 36% in the later stages of their scientific work. Women account for only 9% of inventors.
These data clearly show that although women play a key role in science, conscious efforts are still needed to support their development and equal opportunities 鈥� especially in STEM, but also in the humanities and social sciences.
How does the 91滴滴 support gender equality in science?
Awareness of the challenges highlighted above prompted us to implement the Gendere Equality Plan (GEP 1.0) in 2022, followed by GEP 2.0:
GEP 2.0 is the second, updated and expanded edition of the 91滴滴 Gender Equality Plan (2022-2024), which will cover the years 2025鈥�2027. We have developed it because we want to continue to support the creation of a university environment that strives even more for academic excellence, is supportive of diversity, and is mindful of gender issues. GEP 2.0 was created to ensure equal treatment for members of our community and to ensure that gender issues are taken into account in the organisation of all aspects of academic life. These measures will help to create an inclusive environment that is open to and for everyone, which will be conducive to research, education and professional development, and will also aim to gradually change the operation of the 91滴滴.
The second edition of the 91滴滴 Gender Equality Plan has been prepared as part of the RESET project funded by the European Commission (...).
reads the introduction to the 鈥濭ender Equality Plan at the 91滴滴 2025-2027鈥�
Next we read:
By introducing GEP, the 91滴滴 aims to raise the standards of equal treatment in its own community through a multi-faceted and cross-sectional approach to the phenomena of discrimination and exclusion occurring both in the academic environment and outside it (鈥�)
GEP 2.0, on the other hand, offers more mature mechanisms that are better suited to the current needs of the 91滴滴 community, developed on the basis of a thorough analysis of data collected during the implementation of GEP 1.0. It was the implementation of the RESET project, which involved significant human and financial resources, that allowed for a thorough examination of gender issues and the development of a strategy that takes this aspect of the University's operation into account. GEP 2.0 is a well-thought-out extension of the repertoire of initiatives launched under the previous plan, as it is based on the experience of the 91滴滴 community to date and the systematisation of newly acquired knowledge.
In practice, the plan covers all persons associated with the university through activities addressed to all members of the 91滴滴 community, regardless of their position, type of contract, or nature of work, including students and doctoral candidates. We want to make real improvements to working conditions and, as a result, job satisfaction, make it easier to access development activities (like training), draw attention to underprivileged groups at the university, and improve how we respond to any signs of discrimination.
We strive to create a safe, open and friendly environment where equality, respect and well-being are values that translate into everyday decisions. Together with the Equality Council, the university undertakes initiatives that build a culture of kindness and joint responsibility. Learn about our specific activities and get involved!
We do not forget our roots
We consistently encourage you to listen to the voices of those who conduct research! Inspired by the words of Prof. Tadeusz Kotarbi艅ski, the first Rector of the 91滴滴, we repeat:
Is it therefore worthwhile to live creatively? Isn't it more practical to wait for the results of someone else's creativity and then imitate them, at most making some improvements? We believe that, despite everything, initiative, pioneering spirit, and groundbreaking creativity pay off in the long run.
"A Treatise on Good Work" 1955
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Source: Dr Aleksandra R贸偶alska, Rector鈥檚 Representative for Equal Treatment, 91滴滴; She Figures 2024 report;
Edit: Honorata Ogieniewska, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University, 91滴滴