Workshops with a smile - creativity and integration in action

A unique workshop was held on 17 May 2025 at 2pmwhich was organised by Bartosz Głowacki, M.Sc., as part of his student internship. The aim of the meeting was to work together on expression of facial expressions, integration of participants and to draw attention to the value of equality through play and speech therapy exercises. The workshop lasted 1.5 hours and took place in an atmosphere of openness and mutual support.

Course of the workshop

The workshop began with a short presentation and introduction, which introduced participants to the purpose of the meeting. Then It was time for the creative part, or "Smile in the Lens". - a photo shoot using a variety of props: hats, wigs and coloured glasses. People who did not want to pose, could test themselves as photographers.

Mimicry and breath work

Later, participants took part in a series of exercises entitled "A smile on your face". The programme included:

• gymnastics for the speech apparatus (exercises with straws);
• mouth and tongue gymnastics;
• manual facial massage;
• elements of facial yoga;
• Breathing exercises with a blow-up ball;
• facial massage with medi-scrub brushes (Wilbarger method).

The exercises were aimed at activating the circular muscle of the mouth and improving facial expressions. Sterile and disposable speech therapy aids were used, providing full comfort and safety.

Integration through questions

It concluded with a Integration session "Question bank" - participants drew lots and answered questions on topics such as dreams, values or memories. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of trust and all statements remained confidential within the group.

The workshop showed that by practising, playing and talking together, not only can facial expressions be taken care of, but also get closer to each other and look at the world with more openness.

Natural cosmetics - a practical workshop behind us!

A practical workshop was held on April 25, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. under the motto 'Natural cosmetics', which was organised by Mr Bartosz Głowacki, MA, as part of his student internship. The meeting was devoted to learning how to make simple natural care products and educating about their ingredients. The participants also had the opportunity to enhance women's sense of empowerment and self-awarenessand promote daily self-care in a spirit of naturalness and integration.

How did the workshop go?

The workshop began with a brief introductionduring which the participants were welcomed and introduced to the aim of the meeting. A discussion about the importance of taking care of oneself and the benefits of using natural cosmetics became the starting point for further work.

This was followed by a presentation on the properties and uses of readily available ingredients - such as Coconut oil, olive oil, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, honey, oats or coffee. It was a sensory part that allowed us to learn about raw materials through touch and smell.

Practical part and conclusion

As part of the main part of the workshop the participants prepared with their own hands:

• sugar body scrub;
• lip balm with beeswax;
• natural deodorant cream;
• a moisturising mask (tested on the hand);
• nourishing face cream (tested on the hand);
• scented roll-on.

During the work there was relaxed atmosphere fostering conversations about care preferences and femininity. The meeting culminated in a summary of key findings, encourage further experimentation with natural ingredients and the opportunity to take prepared products with them.

The workshop was a space for education, relaxation and collective action - in a spirit of attentiveness to oneself and one's needs.

International scientific monograph following the conference on 'Health and Society in War' - the next phase of research partnerships

The College of Vocational Training in Wrocław, together with its long-standing research partner, the Central Ukrainian Institute of Human Development at the University of Ukraine, organised a an international scientific conference held on 16 May 2025 in an online format.

The event was a continuation of a series of international scientific endeavours that have been running since 2022 with the aim of deepening research cooperation and promoting an interdisciplinary approach to the challenges facing contemporary society.

This year's conference was dedicated to analysing the impact of armed conflict on public health and social life. It was attended by academics, practitioners and experts from many countries, representing leading universities, research institutes and public health and social policy institutions.

International cooperation as a foundation for the development of science

Developing international cooperation in science is the strategic objective of our University. Thanks to regular ventures with a global reach build scientific networks, we jointly acquire knowledge and share experiences, thereby strengthening the status of research and the impact of science on the quality of social and economic life. The internationalisation of research activities today is not only a challenge but also a necessity in the context of building a modern, an academic community open to dialogue.

Post-conference scientific publication

The conference culminates in a scientific monograph published in three volumes edited by the authorities of the College of Vocational Training: Dr Henryk Fedewicz - Rector, Dr Bartosz Błaszczak - Managing Director and Dr Irena Malinowska - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Each volume focuses on a separate research strand:

• Volume I - rehabilitation, medical science, pedagogy and psychology;
• Volume II - Legal aspects of the functioning of society in wartime;
• Volume III - economics, finance, management, information technology, media and artificial intelligence.

The monograph is a valuable source of interdisciplinary knowledge and an important voice in the international debate on the consequences of armed conflict on public health and social structures.

Dr Tomasz Witkowski in the media - recent appearances

Dr Tomasz Witkowski is a recognised expert in social psychology, emotion, motivation and scientific methodology. He has more than 30 years of teaching and training experience, has conducted research in Germany and collaborated with the University of Malta. He is the author of 16 books, including four published in the USA, as well as dozens of scientific articles that have appeared in prestigious journals such as British Journal of Social Psychology i Skeptical Inquirer. Below are Dr Witkowski's most recent media appearances.

• 9 January 2025 - Dr Tomasz Witkowski guested on the podcast CHARISMATIC, where he spoke to David Straszak about the mental health crisis. The topics of the talk were based on his latest book 'Puncture the gurus who advise on how to live and other essays'. Dr Witkowski also touched on the overabundance of psychologists and challenges in the context of mental health. Link to podcast
• 15 January 2025 - An audio version of Dr Witkowski's book 'Forbidden Psychology, Volume I. Between science and charlatanry'.
• 7 February 2025 - Another appearance was a podcast conversation WORDS, in which Dr Witkowski discussed the manipulations presented in the book 'Psychomanipulations. How to recognise and deal with them'. He discussed the mechanisms that keep people in sects and toxic relationships. Link to podcast
• 14 February 2025 - Dr Witkowski appeared in Focus.co.uk on health, where, in a conversation with Beata Igielska, he discussed Robert Sternberg and Karin Weiss's book The New Psychology of Love, of which he was the scientific editor. The topic was romantic love, its role and its impact on contemporary society. Link to article
• 15 February 2025 - Dr Witkowski's lecture entitled. "The evolution of morality" was delivered as part of the "10th Wrocław Darwin Days", organised by the Institute of Biology of the University of Wrocław and the Polish Association of Rationalists. Link to lecture
• 19 March 2025 - Dr Witkowski appeared in Radio Wnetwhere he touched on the Polish mental health treatment system. In an interview with editor Jasmina Nowak, he shared his comments on the crisis of the system and the mistakes that need to be corrected. Link to broadcast
• 3 April 2025 - Dr Witkowski was a guest on the podcast Chronicles of a departure from reasonwhere, together with Dr Katarzyna Szumlewicz and editor Boyan Stanislavski, they discussed ignorance being considered a virtue and its impact on human attitudes. Link to podcast
• 5 April 2025 - Dr Witkowski's lecture entitled. "Psychology without simplification. You won't learn this on the internet" was held as part of the conference Holistic Talk in Bielsko-Biała, where issues were raised about the work of psychologists and which professionals are worth listening to. Link to the event
• 5 June 2025 - Dr Witkowski led a lecture and workshop entitled. "If not therapy, then what?" on self-help for mental health problems and disorders, organised by the Rhea Foundation in Częstochowa. Link to the event
• June 2025 - Dr Tomasz Witkowski was interviewed in the June issue of Cogito, where he discussed science, pseudoscience and critical thinking in the context of the development of scientific disciplines.
• 12 June 2025 - Dr Witkowski guested on the podcast Chronicles of a departure from reason, where he addressed the topic of exaggeration in psychology and the harm of simplifications that can result from a misunderstanding of the field. Link to podcast

With his knowledge, experience and passion for psychology, Dr Tomasz Witkowski regularly shares his thoughts and analyses with a wide audience. His activity in the media is an important contribution to the popularisation of sound psychology and critical thinking. We encourage you to follow his presentations and explore the topics he addresses.

Seminarium “W stronę niezależnego życia i deinstytucjonalizacji – mieszkalnictwo wspomagane z usługami wspierającymi dla osób z niepełnosprawnościami”

W dniu 26 czerwca 2025 r. z inicjatywy Zakładu Socjologicznych Analiz Polityk Publicznych Instytutu Stosowanych Nauk Społecznych Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego przeprowadzone zostało w formule zdalnej seminarium „W stronę niezależnego życia i deinstytucjonalizacji – mieszkalnictwo wspomagane z usługami wspierającymi dla osób z niepełnosprawnościami”.

Wydarzenie to jest kolejnym spotkaniem naukowym z cyklu „Polityki publiczne w perspektywie socjologicznej” prowadzonego nieprzerwanie od 2016 r.. Seminaria cieszą się dużym zainteresowaniem naukowców i praktyków, koncentrują się na analizie aktualnych kierunków polityki społecznej i rozwiązywaniu konkretnych problemów społecznych, bezpośrednio oddziałujących na ład społeczny. W wydarzeniu udział wziął dr Damian Wąsik – pełnomocnik Rektora Wyższej Szkoły Kształcenia Zawodowego ds. Osób z Niepełnosprawnościami.

Sprawozdanie z VII Konferencji Naukowej, w której uczestniczył nasz wykładowca Jan Znajdek

W dniach 5-6 czerwca 2025 roku nasz wykładowca, Jan Znajdek – doktor nauk prawnych, absolwent Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego, prowadzący zajęcia interdyscyplinarne z zakresu ochrony własności intelektualnej oraz ochrony danych osobowych – wziął udział w VII Konferencji Naukowej na temat „Kompetencje, zadania i możliwości rządowych i samorządowych organów w zakresie obrony cywilnej i działań przeciw hybrydowych i antykognitywnych stosowanych przez Rosję na szeroką skalę w Ukrainie, a także przeciw państwom Europy Środkowo – Wschodniej”, organizowanej przez Państwową Uczelnię Zawodową im. prof. Edwarda F. Szczepanika w Suwałkach. Wyższa Szkoła Kształcenia Zawodowego we Wrocławiu była współorganizatorem przedsięwzięcia, a Dyrektor Zarządzający WSKZ Wrocław, dr Bartosz Błaszczak, objął Konferencję Honorowym Patronatem.

Jako przedstawiciel współorganizatora, zabierając głos podczas otwarcia konferencji, Jan Znajdek zaznaczył, że współorganizacja wydarzenia oraz aktywne uczestnictwo przedstawicieli WSKZ przyczyni się do rozwoju naukowego obu uczelni. Podczas obrad plenarnych wygłosił referat na temat: „Administracja samorządowa, kluczowym ogniwem organizacji systemu Obrony Cywilnej”. Jego wystąpienie spotkało się z zainteresowaniem uczestników, a referat zostanie zamieszczony w publikacji materiałów pokonferencyjnych (wydawnictwo punktowane – 100 pkt). W podsumowaniu obrad przedstawiciel głównego organizatora, dr hab. Andrzej Sęk, wyraził podziękowania pod adresem naszej uczelni oraz nadzieję na kontynuowanie dalszej współpracy.

Wyższa Szkoła Kształcenia Zawodowego współorganizatorem ogólnopolskiej konferencji naukowej „1000 lat Polski w Europie – bilans doświadczeń i wizja przyszłości”

W dniach 23–24 czerwca 2025 roku na Wydziale Nauk Społecznych Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego odbyła się ogólnopolska konferencja naukowa pt. „1000 LAT – Polska w Europie. Bilans doświadczeń i wizja przyszłości”, poświęcona refleksji nad miejscem i rolą Polski w Europie na przestrzeni tysiąclecia. Wydarzenie zorganizowano w szczególnym roku objęcia przez Polskę przewodnictwa w Radzie Unii Europejskiej.

Z dumą informujemy, że Wyższa Szkoła Kształcenia Zawodowego wystąpiła w roli współorganizatora wydarzenia, aktywnie uczestnicząc zarówno w jego przygotowaniu, jak i w sesjach eksperckich.

Interdyscyplinarna debata i obecność ekspertów z całej Polski

Konferencja zgromadziła ponad stu prelegentów z wiodących uczelni oraz instytucji naukowo-badawczych z całego kraju. Podejmowane tematy obejmowały m.in. międzynarodową pozycję Polski, zmiany w systemie europejskim, wyzwania w obszarze bezpieczeństwa, transformacje prawa oraz współczesne zjawiska społeczne i kulturowe.

Udział przedstawicieli Wyższej Szkoły Kształcenia Zawodowego stanowił ważny wkład w analizę aktualnych wyzwań stojących przed Polską i Europą. Obecność uczelni w roli współorganizatora potwierdziła wysoki poziom prowadzonych badań naukowych oraz jej zaangażowanie w rozwój współpracy akademickiej na poziomie krajowym i międzynarodowym.

Reprezentanci Wyższej Szkoły Kształcenia Zawodowego w panelach eksperckich

Przedstawiciele kadry naukowej Wyższej Szkoły Kształcenia Zawodowego wzięli udział w czterech panelach tematycznych, prezentując wyniki własnych badań oraz podejmując kluczowe zagadnienia związane z polityką europejską, prawem, relacjami międzynarodowymi i dialogiem międzykulturowym:

• Polska i Unia Europejska – dr Wojciech Kazanecki: „Budowanie europejskiego soft power z wykorzystaniem misji obserwacyjnych Unii Europejskiej na świecie: polska perspektywa”.
• Wiele wymiarów prawa – dr Magdalena Debita: „Przestępstwa popełnione z użyciem sztucznej inteligencji a przemiany współczesnego prawa karnego i cyberbezpieczeństwa – wybrane problemy”.
• Polska i Europa Środkowo-Wschodnia w relacjach międzynarodowych – dr Aneta Kazanecka: „Polska dyplomacja wobec kulturowych wyzwań XXI wieku”.
• Migracje, mniejszości, pogranicza – mgr Małgorzata Pacer: „Dialog międzykulturowy i międzyreligijny jako droga do pokoju i współpracy”.

Udział w tych obradach potwierdził aktywną obecność uczelni w ogólnopolskim środowisku akademickim i jej zaangażowanie w prowadzenie interdyscyplinarnej debaty naukowej.

Konferencja odbyła się w formule stacjonarnej w salach Instytutu Politologii oraz Instytutu Studiów Międzynarodowych i Bezpieczeństwa Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego.

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.

Join the Criminal Law Circle of the College of Professional Training and develop your passion!

You are interested in topics related to crimes, lawsuits and the operation of the justice system? You want to develop your knowledge of criminal law based on real cases and practical experience? Join the Criminal Law Circle The College of Vocational Training in Wrocław - a space for people with a passion for forensic science and the real aspects of law!

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.