About us

Scientific origins of our Department comprise several scholarly traditions. First and foremost, they are the research studies conducted by prof. Piotr Hübner. Secondly, they are the works related to the history of sociology initiated by prof. Włodzimierz Winclawski. And thirdly, they are the so-called ‘Torun research school of inequalities in higher education’, with the works of prof. Ryszard Borowicz.

Current composition of our Department corresponds with the diverse and interdisciplinary character of studies on research and higher education, and reflects the above-mentioned traditions, as well as emerging interests of our staff. They encompass studies on transformations of the Polish higher education and reforms of the HE systems in Europe (Dominik Antonowicz), inequalities in HE and issues related to the value of HE (Krzysztof Wasielewski), studies on women in science in Poland (Anna Pokorska), analyses of public policy on research and higher education, including research funding mechanisms (Marta Jaworska) and the history of science (Łukasz Dominiak).

We seek to answer questions on processes shaping contemporary models of higher education, modes of university management and funding, research evaluation methods, as well as origins and various aspects of inequalities in science and higher education.

Within the scope of our interest also lie relations of universities with their external stakeholders (practical part of our research) and actions related to popularisation of science (especially of social sciences). We initiate and gladly involve ourselves in various endeavours aiming at implementing the notion of ‘open university’.

Constantly aiming at meeting challenges, we are especially glad to observe how the findings of our research impact the understanding of science in various HE institutions around the world.

We have executed research projects funded by Polish (National Science Centre) and international agencies (European Commission). Our expertises have so far supported the governments of Poland and Ukraine, the European Commission, OECD, E&Y, as well as NGOs (i.e. Education Development Organization Service, CEDOS).

We are constantly present in global science. Various entities and higher education institutions across Europe and from around the world cooperate with us in research and other science or expertise-related endeavours (in recent years especially in Porto, Agder, Oslo, Twente and Rijeka). We participate in major international research projects (CAP – Changing Academic Profession, SHERDE – Structural Higher Education Reform: Development and Evaluation, HEDOCE – Higher Education Drop-Out and Completion in Europe) and disseminate their results during regarded international conferences.