The Institute of Polish Culture (IKP), established in 1998, is part of the Faculty of Polish Studies at the University of Warsaw. It is one of the most important centres for cultural studies research and teaching in Poland.
We are a dynamic and vibrant community of scholars, conducting research across a diverse range of topics approached from an anthropological perspective, focusing on practices and media of cultural transmission and social communication. Our scholarship is most often devoted to the cultures of Poland and of the region (Lithuania, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Germany, but also Denmark and others), although it often provides a comparative perspective with cultures from outside the region (e.g. French, American, British culture). The research encompasses both practices of everyday life, as well as artistic endeavors, analyzed and interpreted with the help of theoretical tools developed in various disciplines and methodologies: cultural anthropology and ethnology, cultural and social history, literary studies, visual culture studies and film studies, performance and theatre studies. The Institute is home to many research grants, conducted within the frameworks of the National Science Center, National Program for the Development of the Humanities and the Excellence Intiative Rsearch University.
We offer degrees in two programmes: “Cultural Studies” (Bachelor’s and Master’s programs) and “Social Arts” (a practical Master’s program). The Institute is also a partner in two co-lead interdisciplinary Master’s program at the University of Warsaw: “Urban Studies” and “Gender and Sexuality”.
The Institute collaborates internationally with numerous academic centres through joint research projects, participation in seminars and conferences, scholarships and internships, faculty exchanges, and summer schools. For potential institutional collaboration please contact the Deputy Director for Academic Affairs.