SUPPORT AT UNILODZ

University of Lodz actively participates in activities aimed at strengthening the scientific and research potential of the organisation while providing the entire academic community with appropriate working and studying conditions. As a diverse, open and tolerant university, we want every person belonging to the academic community to feel like an important part of it.

We strive to ensure that the academic environment is free from all forms of violence against the people who make up our community. We oppose discrimination, mobbing and any other behaviour leading to psychological or physical violence.  

We implement preventive measures and actions aimed at reducing the effects of identified cases of unwanted behaviour by developing an anti-discrimination and anti-mobbing procedure and appointing appropriate bodies – Discrimination and Mobbing Prevention Coordinator, the Anti-Mobbing Commission, the Discrimination Prevention Team. We believe that developing an anti-discrimination and anti-mobbing mechanism will strengthen the protection of the rights of all members of our academic community.

UniLodz is starting a project financed by the European Funds for the Region of Lodz 2021–2027 programme. Its aim is to support equal opportunities, counteract discrimination and promote active participation by raising knowledge and awareness of non-discrimination and diversity management. 

 

The project is intended for employees of the University of Lodz and assumes, among other things, conducting training and workshops on equal treatment and raising awareness of anti-discrimination regulations and policies, providing specialist counselling for people experiencing unequal treatment and conducting a campaign promoting equality in the academic environment. 

The University of Lodz is a place that promotes openness, respect and diversity. We believe that full personal and professional development is possible only in an inclusive and fair academic atmosphere. Therefore, as part of the project "UniLodz – a Discrimination-Free Zone" we offer training sessions and workshops that aim to strengthen the culture of mutual understanding, equality and safe cooperation. 

 

The training sessions cover five main topic areas that have been planned in response to the needs of our community. Participants have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in the areas of multiculturalism and intercultural communication, conflict resolution, responding to inappropriate behaviour, and also learn the basics of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI). 

Mobbing is a specific type of violence that disrupts interpersonal relations in the workplace and negatively affects the functioning of employees and the entire company.Only an employee, i.e. a person employed under an employment contract, can be a victim of mobbing in this sense. It should be remembered that a mobber, i.e. a person committing mobbing, may be a person who is not an employee, e.g. a person employed under a work contract or a management contract.

 

If you believe you have experienced mobbing, you can file a report for a corrective action.

Discrimination is a situation in which a person, due to gender, race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, denomination, worldview, disability, age or sexual orientation, is treated less favourably, unfairly or biased than another person would be treated in a comparable situation.

 

Discrimination is a form of unjustified and stereotype-based marginalisation of certain social groups that share a common feature.

If you believe you have experienced discrimination (including harassment, sexual harassment or unequal treatment), you can file for corrective action.

Sexual harassment is any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature related to sex, the purpose or effect of which is to violate the dignity of a person, in particular by creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. This behaviour may include physical, verbal or non-verbal elements.

 

Sexual harassment is one of the forms of discrimination.

If you believe you have experienced sexual harassment, you may file for corrective action.

Guided by respect for human dignity understood as the right to one's own identity and self-determination of students of the University of Lodz and in response to the demands of the academic community, in accordance with the Regulation No 137 of the Rector of the University of Lodz of 26 September 2024 on introducing the instruction on how to use an identification solution based on the use of preferred data in Microsoft 365 tools, transgender and non-binary students and doctoral students can take advantage of several forms of support offered by our university.

Equality Council 

The mission of the Council is to elaborate, develop and implement organisational, administrative and educational solutions at the University of Lodz in accordance with the principles of equal treatment, aimed at countering all forms of discrimination in the academic environment. It will create models and good practices in this area, thus fitting into the contemporary assumptions of social responsibility of the university. The Council plays an advisory role at the University of Lodz. 

Gender Equality Plan

We are implementing the second, updated and expanded edition of the University of Lodz Equal Opportunities Plan, GEP 2.0 for 2025-2027. We remain committed to supporting, monitoring and analysing administrative, educational and research activities aimed at promoting gender equality and diversity at the University of Lodz. The current Gender Equality Plan also aims to monitor the impact of the initiatives undertaken on our academic community and its external environment.

Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Mobbing and Other Undesirable Behaviours Coordinator

The Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Mobbing and Other Undesirable Behaviours Coordinator is responsible for conducting proceedings in the event of situations at the University of Lodz bearing signs of discrimination, mobbing and other undesirable behaviours, and supports and conducts crisis intervention for people studying and working at the University of Lodz in situations of suicidal crisis and self-harm.

More information about support offered by the Coordinator for Combating Discrimination, Mobbing and Other Undesirable Behaviours

Ombudsman for Academic Rights

In a situation where something that is inappropriate, inappropriate or violates rights or dignity is happening every member of the academic community (students, academic, administrative and technical staff) can turn to the Ombudsman for Academic Rights. The Office of the Ombudsman for Academic Rights is a place where, while maintaining confidentiality, you can discuss your situation, present a problem you are struggling with, report illegal or unethical behaviour and point out malfunctioning institutions or institutional solutions at the University of Lodz. 

More information about support offered by the Ombudsman for Academic Rights

Doctoral Student Ombudsman at the University of Lodz

The Doctoral Student Ombudsman at the University of Lodz is responsible for protecting the rights of doctoral students, monitoring the observance of such rights, promoting knowledge of the rights and obligations of doctoral students and representing doctoral students before the authorities of the University of Lodz. The Doctoral Student Ombudsman may act by: undertaking mediation in conflict and dispute situations and explanatory actions in individual cases, analysing, monitoring and supporting the observance of doctoral students‘ rights, providing legal support, in particular with regard to the law on higher education and science and other regulations governing the course of education, promoting knowledge of doctoral students’ rights and duties among the academic community. 

More information about support offered by the Doctoral Student at the University of Lodz

The Rector’s Representative for Equal Treatment, University of Lodz

The University of Lodz Rector’s Representative for Equal Treatment initiates actions for equal treatment and prevention of discrimination and is responsible for monitoring and evaluating anti-discrimination activities. The Representative’s tasks also include dissemination and promotion of the issue of equal treatment among the academic community and coordination of the national and international cooperation in the field of equal treatment. The Rector’s Representative for Equal Treatment also cooperates with the Equality Council. 

More information about support from the Rector's Representative for Equal Treatment

Explanatory and Disciplinary Proceedings Section

The task of the Explanatory and Disciplinary Proceedings Section at the University of Lodz is to provide administrative support to the University Disciplinary Committee for Academic Teachers, the Disciplinary Committee for Students and the Disciplinary Appeal Committee for Students, the Disciplinary Committee for Doctoral Students and the Disciplinary Appeal Committee for Doctoral Students as well as disciplinary ombudsmen and representatives, to maintain a register of disciplinary proceedings and files of individual cases of academic teachers, students, doctoral students. The Committee assists in the preparation of appropriate documents in disciplinary issues and supports meetings of the disciplinary committees. It also cooperates with the university authorities in resolving disciplinary issues.

More information about the Explanatory and Disciplinary Proceedings Section

Anti-Mobbing Commission

• mgr Anna Orchowska – the employer’s representative;
• Dr Irmina Miernicka – the employees’ representative;
• mgr Joanna Blomberg-Wiaderna, – the employees’ representative;
• Dr Marcin Bogusławski – Polish Teachers’ Union, University of Lodz;
• Dr Michał Kowalski – Polish Teachers’ Union, University of Lodz;
• dr hab. Mirosław Włodarczyk, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz – NSZZ Solidarność;
• Dr Dominik Szczukocki, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz – NSZZ Solidarność;
• mgr Maciej Andrzejewski – OZZ Employee Initiative
• Dr Jan Skarbek-Kazanecki – OZZ Employee Initiative;
• dr hab. Dorota Merecz-Kot, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz – a psychologist;
• Dr Karolina Kossakowska – a psychologist;
• dr hab. Monika Nowak,Associate Professor at the University of Lodz – a lawyer;
• Dr Ewa Staszewska-Kozłowska – a lawyer.

Commission for Combating Discrimination and Other Undesirable Behaviours

• Bartosz Stępień – Head of the Support and Accessibility Centre, President;
• dr hab. Anna Paszkowska-Rogacz, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz – a psychologist;
• Dr Patryk Stecz – a psychologist;
• dr hab. Katarzyna Serafin, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz – a lawyer;
• Piotr Rembowski – the University of Lodz Students' Government Council;
• mgr Jakub Skibiński – the University of Lodz Doctoral Students' Government Council;
• Dr Mateusz Grabowski – Polish Teachers’ Union, University of Lodz;
• mgr Maria Brzozowska – OZZ Employee Initiative;
• vacancy – NSZZ Solidarność.

The mission of the University of Lodz Support and Accessibility Centre is to create a space of equal opportunities in studying for people with special needs. We strive to ensure accessibility for people who, due to disability, health condition, adaptation difficulties or other reasons, are unable to carry out the learning process and scientific work on the basis of equality and maintaining the highest quality of education.

Every person with disabilities and special needs has the right to equal access to higher education. We provide support both in issues related to education and broadly understood activity in the academic environment. We approach each person individually. We learn about their specific needs and psychophysical abilities and select appropriate types of support so that they can fully participate in the studying process.