Please join us for an open lecture by Professor Robin Goodwin: "The psychology of disasters".

We are pleased to announce that on 6 July 2025 (Sunday) at 11.30am there will be an open lecture entitled 'The importance of the European Union. "The psychology of disasters".who will deliver Prof. Robin Goodwin - an eminent specialist in the psychology of individual and societal reactions to traumatic events.

📍 Lecture venue: University of Wrocław, Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics, Aula 1D.

Professor Robin Goodwin has conducted interdisciplinary research on the effects of earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks and pandemics for many years. He has worked as an advisor to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organisation on the psychological consequences of nuclear accidents. He currently heads an international research consortium CONTAIN (Contact Tracing, Infection and Transmission: an interdisciplinary approach), which examines patterns of human contact in the context of the spread of new infectious diseases.

The lecture is aimed at students, academic staff and anyone interested in the topics of crisis psychology and emergency management.

You are cordially invited!

Strategic International Agreement between the Vocational Training College and the University of Prešov - Together for the Development of Science, Education and Academic Partnerships

On 2 July 2025, the College of Vocational Training, represented by the Dr Irena MalinowskaProf. WSKZ - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Prof. Dariusz Brakoniecki with the Centre for International Cooperation, concluded a bilateral agreement on scientific and didactic cooperation with the University of Prešov in Prešov (Slov. Prešovská univerzita v Prešove), a public academic university based in eastern Slovakia, represented by the Rector, Prof. Peter Kónya and Prof. Kamila Kardis.

Objectives and Results of the Arrangement

The agreement provides for the implementation of joint scientific projects, exchanges of academic staff and students, the organisation of international conferences and the implementation of innovative forms of education in line with European standards. Visiting professors, the participation of representatives of both institutions in the scientific committees of conferences and the scientific councils of academic journals are important elements of cooperation.

The agreement is an expression of the two universities' desire to deepen academic relations, support interdisciplinary research, publish the results of scientific work and jointly apply for scientific development funds under international funding programmes.

The role of the Centre for International Cooperation

The agreement is the result of the intensive and professional work of the team at the Centre for International Cooperation at the Vocational Training College, which actively creates and coordinates activities for the internationalisation of the university.

Benefits for the Academic Community

For academic staff and students, it opens up new spaces for scientific collaboration, exchange of experiences and strengthening scientific output in international initiatives. Students gain access to a broader dimension of education, development of professional competences and participation in projects of global significance.

New chapter in international cooperation: agreement with 'Innovative Medical Platform' and joint scientific journal

We are pleased to announce that The University of Vocational Training in Wrocław has signed a strategic agreement on international cooperation with the Ukrainian public organisation 'Innovative Medical Platform'. This agreement is not only a further step in the development of our academic cooperation, but also a significant boost to the strengthening of the international research network in the fields of medical science, psychology and health education.

Key objectives of cooperation

The main objective of the partnership is to promotion of high standards of medical care and the professional development of mental and somatic health professionals. The initiative will also enhancing the quality of academic education national and international level, fostering the interdisciplinary exchange of experiences and implementing modern educational practices.

The contract provides for:

• implementation of joint research projects,
• the organisation of international conferences, seminars and training courses,
• scientific publications,
• exchange of teaching materials,
• the organisation of traineeships and internships for students, in particular Psychology majors.

International scientific journal: "International Medical Herald"

A particular achievement of this collaboration is the initiative to establish a new international scientific journal, entitled 'The Scientific Journal of the World'. "International Medical Herald". It is an ambitious undertaking that aims to create a an open publication platform promoting the highest standards of science and exchange of knowledge in the fields of psychology, psychiatry and medical science.

The journal will be published in four languages: Ukrainian, English, German and Polish, which will significantly broaden its reach and facilitate access for the international research community. The multilingualism and high level of publication have the potential to make the journal a a forum for the exchange of knowledge and the promotion of research results of global importance.

Shared mission and development perspective

The concluded agreement and the planned initiatives are part of the a long-term strategy for the internationalisation of scientific activities University of Vocational Training. Our aim is to develop a partnership network, to jointly implement projects with high application value and to strengthen the the presence of our University in the international circulation of knowledge.

We firmly believe that this cooperation will bring real benefits for the academic community of both institutions, will enrich the teaching and research offer and open up new perspectives for our students, lecturers and partners. With compliments to the partners and hope for long-term cooperation -. thank you for your trust and shared vision of the future.

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.

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.

University of Vocational Training co-organises national research conference "1000 years of Poland in Europe - balance of experiences and vision for the future"

On 23-24 June 2025 a nationwide scientific conference entitled 'The Role of the European Union in the Social Sciences' was held at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Wrocław. "1000 YEARS - Poland in Europe. Taking stock of experience and a vision for the future".devoted to reflection on Poland's place and role in Europe over the millennium. The event was organised in the special year of Poland's assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

We are proud to announce that the College of Vocational Training has acted as a co-organiser of the event, actively participating in both its preparation and expert sessions.

Interdisciplinary debate and presence of experts from all over Poland

The conference brought together more than 100 speakers from leading universities and research institutions from across the country. Topics covered included. Poland's international position, changes in the European system, challenges in the area of security, legal transformations and contemporary social and cultural phenomena.

The participation of representatives from the Vocational Training College was an important contribution to the analysis of the current challenges facing Poland and Europe. The presence of the university as a co-organiser confirmed the high level of research conducted science and its commitment to developing academic cooperation at national and international level.

Representatives of the Higher School of Vocational Training in expert panels

Representatives of the academic staff of the College of Vocational Training took part in the four thematic panels, presenting the results of his own research and addressing key issues related to European politics, law, international relations and intercultural dialogue:

• Poland and the European Union - Dr Wojciech Kazanecki: 'Building European soft power with the use of European Union observation missions in the world: a Polish perspective'.
• Multiple dimensions of law - Dr Magdalena Debita: 'Crimes committed with artificial intelligence and the transformation of contemporary criminal law and cyber security - selected issues'.
• Poland and Central and Eastern Europe in international relations - Dr Aneta Kazanecka: "Polish diplomacy towards the cultural challenges of the 21st century".
• Migrations, minorities, borderlands - MA Małgorzata Pacer: "Intercultural and interreligious dialogue as a path to peace and cooperation".

Participation in these deliberations was confirmed by an active presence of the university in the national academic community and its commitment to interdisciplinary scientific debate.

The conference was held in a stationary format in the rooms of the Institute of Political Science and the Institute of International and Security Studies at the University of Wrocław.