Our identity
Our passion lies in exploring communication: between people, through brands, and across various forms of media. We examine communication about the everyday, the extraordinary, and the significant—reaching individuals, diverse audiences, and society as a whole.
We believe communication should be practical, evoke positive emotions, and foster a better environment. That’s why we study how communication works, why it works the way it does, and how it can be improved. We approach reality with curiosity, examining it from multiple perspectives and with an open mind.
As staff, students, and alumni of the Institute of Journalism and Social Communication (IDiKS), we form a community united by our fascination with communication, inspiring one another along the way. We also collaborate with academic institutions, media organizations, businesses, and public benefit organizations.
We thrive through:
- Outreach and Engagement: Supporting young people, local communities, and media audiences through advocacy, education, and empowerment initiatives.
- Research Activities: Conducted by our departments and student research groups, the results are shared through publications and presentations at scientific conferences, including those organized by our Institute.
- Educational Activities: Offering popular and innovative undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs, including courses taught in English.
The History of Our Institute
The origins of the Institute of Journalism and Social Communication date back to 1995, when the Faculty of Philology introduced Postgraduate Studies in Multimedia Journalism. By 1998, these evolved into Studies in Journalism and Information Management. In 1997, the education of communication specialists and journalists began as part of a journalism specialization within the Polish Philology program. This marked the establishment of the Journalism Department within the Institute of Polish Philology.
In 2000, the department was transformed into the Department of Journalism and Social Communication, an independent academic unit, and launched its first-degree program in Journalism and Social Communication. In 2005, master’s degree programs were added to the curriculum.
In 2006, the department became the Institute of Journalism and Social Communication, accelerating its development and expanding its focus on journalism and communication studies. In 2012, a second-degree program in Image Communication was introduced, reflecting the Institute’s strong emphasis on marketing and branding aspects of journalism.
The English-taught specialization Journalism and Social Communication was launched in 2010. This was followed in 2013 by Communication Management, which became an independent master’s degree program in 2023. In 2024, the Institute introduced two new English-taught master’s programs: Media Content Creation and Media Design.
Research Areas
The Institute’s research is multifaceted, encompassing various disciplines within social communication and media studies. From classical media and journalism studies to contemporary issues in communication, our work addresses a wide range of topics.
Key areas of interest include:
- Media and communication ethics
- Image research and branding
- Nation branding and place image
- Methodology in image studies
- Public relations models
- Advertising studies (commercial and social)
- Media discourse analysis
- Media systems, with a focus on EU countries
- Local and community media
- Sociological perspectives on media
- Journalism as a vocation and profession
- Film as a medium
- International and intercultural communication
- Public opinion and discourse in media
- Literary and cultural criticism
- Regulation and self-regulation in European media systems
Through these diverse research directions, the Institute contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between communication, media, and society.
