Dorota Gierszewski

About

Dorota Gierszewski is Professor and head of the Department of Social Education and Adult Learning at Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

She specializes in adult education, with a particular emphasis on informal and non-formal learning. Her work centers on creating inclusive educational environments that support the development of social, and civic competencies, tailored to the diverse needs and life experiences of adult learners. Guided by an intersectional and anti-discriminatory approach, she initiates and supports initiatives that combat marginalization and foster understanding across generations, social groups, and cultural backgrounds. Her practice is rooted in the values of dialogue, participation, and solidarity. She inspires adults to engage actively in their local communities and promotes the development of civic responsibility. Gierszewski empowers individuals to participate fully in social life, in line with the principles of lifelong learning and democratic citizenship education.

She has published, among others, books on civic education in local space (2017, WUJ), in the context of migration (2018, WUJ), and in civil society (2015, PWSZ). Since 2022, she has been the ambassador of EPALE, the electronic platform for adult learning in Europe.