Article / interview
A different view of the competencies of a Polish studies scholar
For many years now, we've been told that the world is rushing and change is inevitable. New phenomena and trends—technology, artificial intelligence, social media—go hand in hand with eternal questions about the meaning and direction of existence, the uncertainty of tomorrow, the inability to keep up with changes, the need to preserve the human element in a world of algorithms and procedures.
For centuries, the university has been the place to turn to in a search for answers. Through the exchange of ideas and views, it has fostered the growth of knowledge, the creation of artifacts, and the construction of civilization. Today, it is increasingly said that higher education has lost the spirit of "humanitas," succumbed to the pressures of economic indicators, and is focused on educating workers. Increasingly, the popularity of individual programs is being measured by the "prosperity of graduates," determined by the amount of fees available. How does Polish studies position itself in this new reality? On the one hand, it has an important, though not always clearly defined in the general perception, utilitarian dimension. It creates history, uniting diverse communities in discussions about identity, Polishness, and existence in language. At the same time, it allows us to construct and develop useful tools in life, referred to as "competencies of the future": it teaches us to think, create, use discoveries and technologies effectively, and instills "humanistic" values. However, it is also subject to the laws of educational economics. Does it stand a chance of survival? Is it likely to become an attractive field of study playing an important role in the job market, or will it remain merely a field of study practiced in the privacy of libraries and archives? One of the goals of the "Polish Studies and the Challenges of the Modern World" project is to discuss these issues. In today's episode, Karolina Malinowska, psychologist, coach, and market and labor researcher, and Piotr Bordzoł, Polish studies professor and member of the editorial board of "Polish Studies Newsletter”, will discuss this topic.
A new podcast series, "Polish Studies Newsletter’s Meetings," titled "Engaged Polish Studies," is being produced as part of the project "Polish Studies and the Challenges of the Modern World."
Funded by the state budget under the Minister of Education and Science's "Science for Society II" program (project number: NdS-II/SP/0264/2024/01).
Project website: https://biuletynpolonistyczny.pl/en/projects/polonistyka-wobec-wyzwan-wspolczesnego-swiata,1851/details
Intro and outro: Music by Piotr Lakwaj, read by Aldona Brycka-Jaskierska
Producer: Torba Reportera i Podcastera.
Visual identity and cover design: Klaudia Węgrzyn.
We encourage you to ask questions and share your thoughts about our podcast: biuletyn.polonistyczny@ibl.waw.pl.
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Obecnie w Instytucie Badań Edukacyjnych kieruje projektem „Kariera bez barier”, który skierowany jest do szkół i dotyczy przygotowania dzieci i młodzieży ze zróżnicowanymi potrzebami do ich przyszłej tranzycji na rynek pracy. Od lat związana jest też z Uniwersytetem Humanistycznospołecznym SWPS, gdzie prowadzi zajęcia warsztatowe między innymi na studiach podyplomowych „Job-Coaching - nowoczesne doradztwo zawodowe i coaching kariery” i bierze udział w projektach badawczych oraz wdrożeniowych. Zajmuje się też zagadnieniem przemocy rówieśniczej w polskich szkołach i jest współtwórczynią systemu zapobiegania przemocy RESQL. Jest autorką licznych badań i publikacji z zakresu edukacji.