Aleksandra Lis, an education researcher at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, talks about her research on academic culture, sustainability as an influential trend and the secret career she pursued as a teenager in high school.
Who are you and what is your profession?
I am an educational researcher, interested in higher education, vocational education and training, validation of prior learning. I work and study at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. I’m holding a PhD in Management, and I am currently a PhD student in the field of Cultural Studies. All my research work is related to education at different levels, and recently include the sustainability aspects.
What are you currently working on?
Mostly I am working on my PhD thesis on academic culture, and its influence on university management.
Can you describe your workplace in two words?
Traditional university.
What tools do you use to organise your ideas?
I use an old-fashioned notebook to make my notes every day, but for analysing the data I fell in love with MAXQDA software.
Which trend will influence your work/ research the most?
Sustainability as a growing issue in all three aspects of university: research, teaching, and cooperation with society.
Is there a takeaway from the pandemic that you would like to share? Has anything changed in your daily routine?
During the pandemic, the borders between work and home have blurred. I’ve learned to treasure and watch out on my free time. Already working at the university for 10 years, it was my first vacation without taking my computer with me this year.
Who would you like to work with some day?
I don’t have any ideas of one person to work with, rather the team which would be truly interdisciplinary and openminded.
Why Berlin Science Week?
My university is a member of the Una Europa alliance. I will be one of the panelist in the alliance’s Future Uni Lab, which is how I got to be a part of Berlin Science Week. And I really like my work and I’m keen on participating in such events – plus, I like Berlin a lot.
What is your favourite spot in Berlin?
Alexanderplatz.
What keeps you awake at night?
Binge watching Netflix, reading for pleasure, and working on papers.
What are you currently reading?
Pleasure reading: a Swedish crime story by H. Nesser “The Butcher from Little Burma”
Tell us a fun or unknown fact about you!
I was a wedding singer during high school.
In the future, you would like to…
…live a peaceful life, study on exciting subjects and if possible, make an impact with my work.
PS: What is the most delicious thing you ate this week?
Tantuni in lavash from the best Turkish street food in Krakow. Amazing food!
If you want to learn more about Aleksandra Lis’ research and her ideas check out the event by Una Europa ‘European Universities – driving the sustainable University of the Future?‘ on 2 Nov at 4.30pm.