Seminar "Towards independent living and deinstitutionalisation - assisted housing with support services for people with disabilities"

On 26 June 2025, at the initiative of the Department of Sociological Analysis of Public Policies of the Institute of Applied Social Sciences of the University of Warsaw, a remote seminar 'Towards independent living and deinstitutionalisation - assisted housing with support services for people with disabilities' was held.

This event is another scientific meeting in the series 'Public Policies in a Sociological Perspective' conducted continuously since 2016. The seminars are of great interest to scholars and practitioners, focusing on the analysis of current social policy directions and solving specific social problems directly affecting the social order. The event was attended by Dr Damian Wąsik - Plenipotentiary of the Rector of the College of Vocational Education for Persons with Disabilities.

Report on the 7th Scientific Conference attended by our lecturer Jan Znajdek

On 5-6 June 2025, our lecturer, Jan Znajdek - Doctor of Laws, graduate of the University of Lodz, who teaches interdisciplinary courses in intellectual property protection and personal data protection - participated in the 7th Scientific Conference on "Competences, tasks and capacities of governmental and self-governmental bodies in the field of civil defence and counter-hybrid and anti-cognitive actions used by Russia on a large scale in Ukraine, as well as against the countries of Central and Eastern Europe", organised by the Prof. Edward F. Szczepanik State Vocational College in Suwałki. Szczepanik in Suwałki. The Higher Vocational College in Wrocław was a co-organiser of the event, and the Managing Director of WSKZ Wrocław, Dr Bartosz Błaszczak, took the conference under his honorary patronage.

As a representative of the co-organiser, speaking at the opening of the conference, Jan Znajdek noted that the co-organisation of the event and the active participation of WSKZ representatives would contribute to the scientific development of both universities. During the plenary session, he delivered a paper on: "Local government administration, a key link in the organisation of the Civil Defence system". His presentation attracted the interest of the participants, and the paper will be included in the publication of post-conference materials (scoring publication - 100 points). In summing up the proceedings, the representative of the main organiser, Andrzej Sęk, Ph.D., expressed his thanks to our university and his hope for the continuation of further cooperation.

Online workshop: Norm and disorders in children and adolescents - in a psychoanalytic perspective

Would you like to better understand what disorders in children and adolescents are, how to diagnose these conditions and how to approach normality in the context of their development? You are invited to a unique online workshop led by expert Dorota Modrzynska to learn key tools in working with young patients. The workshop will run on 30 June 2025 and aims to equip participants with knowledge about normality and disorders from a psychoanalytic perspective.

Workshop aimed at psychology students

The workshop has been designed with psychology students in mind, but will also be of value to those who work with children and young people. By discussing issues in psychoanalysis, you will learn about a variety of approaches to diagnosis and support that you can use in your future work.

Understanding psychosexual development in children and adolescents

In this workshop, Dorota Modrzynska will discuss the key phases of psychosexual development, including the developmental tasks that are essential in determining healthy developmental patterns. Understanding these processes will give you a better understanding of how to recognise disorders and how to support a young person's development.

Diagnosis of disordered conditions in children and adolescents

During the workshop, Dorota Modrzynska will present specific tools for diagnosing conditions in children and adolescents. Typical areas of trauma that can disrupt the natural development process will also be discussed. The knowledge you will gain will help you to better understand and support young people during difficult moments in their lives.

Date and time of workshop:

• Deadline: 30 June 2025.
• Time: 17:00 - 19:00
• Format: Online workshop

This is an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge of psychoanalysis and diagnosis of disorders in the context of child and adolescent development. If you are a psychology student or interested in the topic of development and disorders in young people, this workshop is for you! Register now to develop your skills and knowledge in this important field.

The scientific conference "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice" - interdisciplinary debate with important recommendations

On 13 June 2025, the Institute of Internal Security and Criminology of the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław organised an interdisciplinary scientific conference entitled 'The importance of internal security and criminology'. "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice".. The event was held in an online format, which allowed wide and comfortable access for participants from different parts of Poland - both from academia and social practice institutions.

The conference was attended by a total of more than 550 participantsincluding representatives of the uniformed services, the judiciary, social workers, psychologists, educators, representatives of public administration, NGOs and academia. The event consisted of three parallel thematic panels:

• Law and practice (Moderator: Dr Janusz Bryk);
• A legal and empirical approach (Moderator: Dr Milena Zajkowska);
• Interinstitutional cooperation - practice (Moderator: Tomasz Czaja, MA).

The conference was opened by Dr Irena Malinowska, Prof. WSKZ - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Dr Janusz Bryk - Director of the Institute of Internal Security and Criminology. The opening lecture was given by Dr Magdalena El Ghamari, focusing on violence, radicalisation and the situation of minors in refugee camps.

Main scientific conclusions and recommendations from the conference

The conference culminated in concrete, clearly outlined conclusions and demands - both scientific and practical. They indicated inter alia. for need:

1. Adoption of a comprehensive law on missing persons - The current state of the law is mainly based on executive acts (e.g. Police orders), which results in inconsistent procedures and limited effectiveness of institutions' actions. The proposed law should unambiguously regulate the duties of services and the rights of persons reporting a missing person.
2. Better coordination of inter-institutional cooperation - Effective protection of people experiencing domestic violence requires a synergy of action between the police, prosecutors' offices, courts, social welfare centres, NGOs and local institutions.
3. Recognition of the link between domestic violence and disappearances - in many cases, disappearances are the result of psychological and physical violence. It was advocated that specific response pathways should be developed in cases where the disappearance may be the result of an escape from or escalation of violence.
4. Systemic support for families of missing persons - solutions are needed to ensure that families have access to information about the progress of their case, as well as psychological and organisational support.
5. Increasing the availability of training and interdisciplinary education - The conference showed a real educational gap regarding the issue of violence. Participants recommended organising training and workshops combining different professional perspectives.
6. The cyclical nature of the event - There were numerous voices pointing to the need to continue the initiative in future years, which could create a space for the systematic exchange of knowledge and good practice.

Positive reception and wide access to materials

Participants rated the event very highly - both in terms of the level of content, the selection of speakers and the technical organisation. The conference was prepared with great care - from communicating with participants, to maintaining the website, to distributing certificates and materials. The use of the MS Teams platform, as well as a back-up option in Google Meet, allowed for a smooth transmission and interaction with participants.

As announced, presentations from selected lectures have been published on the official conference websitewhich can be downloaded or viewed online. This is an excellent opportunity for people who were unable to attend the event or who want to return to particular topics to familiarise themselves with the content.

📎 Access to presentations: https://konferencjawroclaw.pl/elementor-1213/

Thank you for your collective reflection and commitment

The organisers would like to thank all speakers and participants for their active participation and openness to dialogue. The conference "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice" was not only an academic event, but also a space for real exchange of experience, knowledge and recommendations, which we hope will be used in institutional and legislative practice.

Participation of WSKZ representatives in the 11th Wrocław Women's Forum

The Centennial Hall Congress Centre in Wrocław hosted the eleventh edition of the Wrocław Women's Forum - a nationwide event aimed at supporting women's activism, promoting the idea of gender equality and strengthening leadership competences. We are proud to announce that this year's Forum was attended by Vice-Dean for Student Affairs of the College of Vocational Training - Dr Aneta Kazanecka and students of our University.

Organised by the Western Chamber of Commerce - Employers and Entrepreneurs, the Forum brought together several hundred participants from across the region. The event's programme included panel discussions with representatives from the world of business and science, expert talks on topics including leadership, finance, cognitive errors, the role of new technologies and mental toughness, as well as mindfulness sessions and motivational speeches.

The theme of this year's meeting was: "Woman leader aware of change". Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of empathy, authenticity and self-awareness in the context of contemporary social and professional challenges. The participation of WSKZ representatives in the Women's Forum is an important element in the implementation of our University's mission to support the personal and professional development of students, promote civic attitudes and active participation in public life.

Online workshop: Applying psychological tests in practice - calculating results, norms and interpretation

Join us for an online workshop led by Dr Pavel Larionov, which will help you develop practical skills in the use of psychological tests. The workshop will focus on self-report questionnaires on emotion regulation and other emotion-related psychological constructs. You will learn how to correctly calculate scores, apply norms and interpret the data obtained.

Workshop dates:

• 27 June 2025.
• 14 July 2025.
• Time: 19:00-20:30
• Form: online

Workshop programme:

• Learning how to calculate psychological test results.
• Application of standards in practice.
• Interpretation of the results of self-report questionnaires, especially those on emotion regulation.

Target group:
The workshop is aimed at first-, second- and third-semester psychology students who want to deepen their knowledge of psychological testing and its application in practice.

Seat limit:

• 100 people for each workshop (registration required).

Sign up for a workshop and develop your skills in the area of psychological testing and interpretation of results!

Online workshop: Diagnosing addiction - how to talk, recognise and respond

Join us for a unique online workshop to help you explore the practical aspects of addiction diagnosis. The workshop will be led by Dr Agata Niezabitowska - psychologist, addiction psychotherapist and doctor of social sciences in psychology. We will deal with both addictions to psychoactive substances and problematic behaviour such as gambling or addiction to internet use.

Workshop date:

• 9.07.2025 i 10.07.2025
• Time: 18:00-20:00

In the workshop programme:

• Dispelling the myths about addiction - understanding the most common misconceptions about addiction.
• Diagnostic criteria - how to correctly identify addiction, both physical and behavioural.
• Case study - case study in the context of diagnosis and treatment of addiction.
• Safe talk - how to have a conversation with someone you suspect of having an addiction, and how to responsibly indicate where they can get help.

The workshop is aimed at those working or planning to work with young people and adults, particularly in the context of mental health, educational and diagnostic support. It is an excellent opportunity to enrich your knowledge and skills in the area of working with people with addiction problems.

Places are limited - a maximum of 40 participants. Participation is determined on a first-come, first-served basis.

Don't miss out on this opportunity - sign up now to gain practical skills in the area of addiction diagnosis and effective response to addiction problems.

Take part in a scientific study and help us explore how the world affects mental health

Climate change, the threat of war, social media - these are just some of the aspects that shape our lives and can affect our psyche. In order to be able to see the broader context of such issues, we have prepared research to help us better understand the links between these phenomena and mental health.

How can you help?

The survey is anonymous and will take no longer than 25 minutes to complete. Your answers will be confidential and used for aggregate analysis only. Taking part in the survey is an opportunity to make a real contribution to the development of knowledge about mental health in the context of contemporary challenges.

Advantages of participating in the study:

• anonymity - Your data will be treated confidentially;
• duration - The survey will take approximately 25 minutes to complete;
• security - The results will only be used for research purposes and analysed collectively;
• value for science - Your answers will contribute to research on the impact of contemporary phenomena on mental health.

How to take part?

All you have to do is fill in the form available at the link below. Remember that every vote matters and contributes to a better understanding of the impact of modern phenomena on our health.

Link to the study: Research - Climate and society and mental wellbeing

Your involvement in the study will help not only to advance research, but also to create a better future for us all. Thank you for your participation!

Psychology students on a field trip to the Detention Centre in Wrocław

Second and third semester psychology students had the opportunity to participate in an unusual practical lesson - a two-hour field trip to the Detention Centre in Wrocław. It was a unique opportunity to see with their own eyes what the work of a penitentiary psychologist looks like in real conditions. The meeting was led by experienced Dr Marta Jastrzębska, who shared her knowledge and experience in this specific field.

The culmination of an online workshop

The organised field trip was the culmination of a workshop through which students were introduced to the behind-the-scenes work of a penitentiary psychologist, learning about the challenges involved in working with people deprived of their liberty. The class was an opportunity to learn about the process of providing opinions and psychological support in a prison setting. Thanks to the field trip, the students had a great opportunity to learn the theoretical aspects in practice, observing the work of a penitentiary psychologist in the Wrocław Detention Centre.

We wrote more about the workshop in this article.

Online Scientific Conference "Domestic Violence in Poland. Between theory and practice" - 13 June 2025.

The Institute of Homeland Security and Criminology of the College of Vocational Training invites you to participate in a national scientific conference on the phenomenon of domestic violence. The event will take place in an online format on 13 June 2025. The conference provides a space for interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge, reflections and experiences between the world of science and practitioners working to prevent violence.

The aim of the conference is to analyse the issue of domestic violence from three perspectives: legal, criminological and practical. The organisers want to pay particular attention to the existing regulations, the effectiveness of protective procedures and the functioning of support systems. An important element of the event will also be the identification of legal gaps and institutional barriers that affect the effectiveness of actions taken against perpetrators and victims of domestic violence.

What topics will be covered at the meeting?

The event is aimed at representatives of academia, uniformed services officers, judicial staff, psychologists, educators, social workers, members of non-governmental organisations and all those interested in this topic. Participation in the conference is free of charge and each passive participant will receive a personal certificate of participation.

The event will consist of three thematic panels:

Panel I: Practice and institutional support:

• Social support system.
• Local interventions.
• Institutional cooperation.

Panel II: Criminology and data:

• Statistics and scale of the phenomenon.
• The role of law enforcement.
• Enforcement of protective measures.

Panel III: Scientific and legislative perspective:

• Regulatory analysis.
• Effectiveness of legal systems.
• The legislative gap and the need for change.

Didactic dimension of the conference

The conference also has a didactic dimension. Its aim is to inter alia. to disseminate knowledge on procedures related to counteracting violence, to develop the professional competences of participants and to shape their ability to evaluate the effectiveness of legal and institutional actions. The organisers also emphasise the development of interdisciplinary cooperation, enabling contacts to be made between representatives of the various professions and institutions involved in assistance activities.

The notification schedule is as follows:

• until 30.04 - submission of abstracts (active notification form).
• 15.05 - announcement of the conference programme with open access to the platform.
• until 10.06 - to apply for passive participation in the conference via the form available at here (passive application form).
• until 10.06 submission of conference papers and presentations.
• 13.06.2025 – Conference: "Domestic violence in Poland. Between theory and practice'.
• until 28.08 a post-conference publication in a book edition.

We encourage you to visit the website regularly conferenceawroclaw.plwhere all the most important news and answers to frequently asked questions will be published. This is the best source of organisational information - thanks to it, every participant will be up-to-date and properly prepared for the event.

The conference website will be regularly updated. Details of the programme, list of speakers, start times of individual panels, accompanying events, as well as technical and logistical issues will gradually appear there.