Monograph by Katarzyna Durniat on the research, teaching, didactics and achievements of Stanislaw A. Witkowski.
We would like to introduce you to the contents of the chapter of the monograph 'Wrocław Psychology. People and Ideas" (2024) - "Stanisław A. Witkowski - research, teaching, learning and achievements", by Katarzyna Durniat. This chapter presents the key areas of research interest and the most important achievements of Professor Stanisław A. Witkowski, showing their connection with his academic career, scientific cooperation and practical activities in the field of work and organisational psychology. The article refers to the professor's extensive scientific bibliography, illustrating the wide range of his research and his interdisciplinary approach. The key aspects of Prof Witkowski's activities described in this chapter cover several areas.
Research
His research interests focused on management psychology, human resource management, career counselling, organisational pathologies (job burnout) and international research projects. Early in his career participated in projects concerning the humanisation of worke.g. at the Copper Mining and Smelting Combine (KGHM). He participated in the international GLOBE project, investigating perceptions of leadership in different cultural contexts and coping with culture shock. He has also conducted research in the area of generational management.
Teaching activities
Professor Witkowski was a respected and valued didactician and educator. He has twice been named Lecturer of the Year and has been nominated for an Education Award. He believed that he owed the respect and appreciation of his students to his commitment, passion, authenticity and credibility. He emphasised that his most important achievements were his students - master's and doctoral students who are professionally successful as experts, researchers and teachers. The earlier chapters of the monograph (Kanafa-Chmielewska, 2024) detail his organisational and management activities, including the initiation of postgraduate courses in management psychology, which were very popular.
Cooperation and integration
A key distinguishing feature of the professor was the integration of scientific development with practical activities. He was a staunch promoter of the transfer of scientific knowledge to professional practice and vice versa. His practical activities, e.g. the implementation of competence diagnosis methods (which is further described in Slazyk-Sobol, 2024), enriched his research and didactics. He pioneered an interdisciplinary approach in research on career success and competence assessment.
Achievements and distinctions
Prof Witkowski left an impressive scientific output and made a significant contribution to the development of work and organisational psychology in Poland. He received numerous awards, including Bronze Cross of Merit and Medal of the National Education Commission. He considers the Medal for Long Marriage to be his most valuable award.
In conclusion, the chapter by Katarzyna Durniat shows Prof. Stanisław A. Witkowski as a versatile scientist, didactician and practitioner, whose research work, organisational activities and commitment to student education had an undeniable impact on the development of work and organisational psychology in Poland. His legacy is not only his numerous publications, but above all the people he shaped.
Link to monograph: https://repozytorium.uni.wroc.pl/Content/141567/PDF/Wrocławska psychology. People and ideas.pdf