The UAK actively participates in various international research and educational projects, including from the Horizon 2020 (acronims: HIGHLANDS.3), Horyzont EUROPA (acronims: CLIMB-FOREST, LOCALITY, AGROSUS, ReLEAF), Norway Grants (ACTIVATE), Visegrad Fund (Water Management, Local rabbits breeds) and projects financed by Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (Your Way) and Polish National Centre for Research and Development (GEOSEN). The UAK is very experienced in international project management and boasts a capable organisational infrastructure (two units specialised in coordinating international projects).
The University is successfully running about research projects, including: doctoral dissertations, internal, for habilitation theses, developmental, general, under the Smart Growth Operational Programme or Rural Development Programme. The University is also an active member of LifeScience Cluster affiliated with the Jagiellonian Innovation Centre (Jagiellonian University).
University of Agriculture in Krakow is one of the leading universities in the area of life sciences in Poland. It derives from the Jagiellonian University, where agriculture and forestry were taught at university level since 1890.
University of Agriculture (12.2024) : 8 Faculties, 5022 students, c.a. 1482 employees (including 734 academic staff), operating revenue in 2023: ca. 63 million Euro. Each year over 3000 students are enrolled for various programmes at University of Agriculture. Candidates may apply to undergraduate programme, graduate programme and doctoral studies. The University provides professional education for specialists in the areas of agricultural, forestry and life sciences, veterinary medicine, in the field of economics, technical and sociological sciences. Due to the high quality education it provides, the University is known and valued in Poland and abroad. It focuses on the quality, mobility and innovative solutions. The graduates find employment in best enterprises in the country and abroad.
Main tasks : agriculture, forestry, horticulture, biology, animal breeding, veterinary medicine, environmental protection, biotechnology, geodesy, environmental engineering, landscape architecture, food technology, commodity science, technology and production engineering, economics and management.
As a soil scientist, I serve as a Professor at the University of Agriculture in Kraków, specializing in soil science and ecosystem restoration. My expertise lies in assessing biological parameters of soils under anthropogenic pressure, with a particular focus on reconstructed soils in post-mining areas and the sustainable management of arable lands.
My research particularly emphasizes soil fauna, including earthworms and enchytraeids. Currently, I lead two major research projects: a study on soil formation processes and carbon accumulation in reclaimed forest soils (2022-2026) and the SoilRise project (2024-2027), which promotes awareness of soil biodiversity through student-based Citizen Science monitoring.
I have made significant discoveries in soil biodiversity, including identifying new species of soil organisms in challenging environments such as post-mining and post-fire areas. Through my research, I have developed innovative approaches to land reclamation, demonstrating how biological activity plays a crucial role in ecosystem restoration.
Moving forward, I aim to focus more on education and projects related to soil biota and biodiversity. In my view, all assessments of soil quality or health should consider soil biota, as they are fundamental to ecosystem functioning and restoration. My work seeks to bridge research with education to enhance the understanding and conservation of soil biodiversity.