Prior to joining SSE, Joanna worked for over a decade at the College of Europe in Natolin, Warsaw, where she started her professional career as an Academic Assistant in Politics and ultimately served as the Head of Academic Operations in the European Interdisciplinary Studies Department. Working closely with the CIVICA partner schools and SSE's CIVICA Academic Lead, Prof. Laurence Romani, her role will be to lead the development of the Engage Track (Bachelor education) within the CIVICA alliance and coordinate the implementation of CIVICA-related activities at SSE.

"My move to SSE and the CIVICA Project was driven by a desire to combine my academic background with a project that has a tangible impact on the development of higher education area in Europe. My passion for academia and social sciences, experience in managing projects in interdisciplinary and international settings and the ability to navigate diverse academic cultures are among the key assets that I hope to bring to my new role", says Joanna.

Contribution to further internationalization at SSE

CIVICA unites ten leading European higher education institutions in the social sciences, humanities, business management and public policy, SSE being one of them. The alliance aims to build on an ever-stronger combination of education, research & innovation, and civic outreach to develop the European university of the future: grounded in excellent teaching and learning, offering seamless mobility, contributing innovative solutions to societal challenges, and creating a path for other universities to follow.

"For students, involvement with CIVICA offers access to a network of those leading universities, and a unique interdisciplinary and cross-cultural learning environment at all levels of their education, what prepares them to become leaders and change-makers in their communities and beyond", says Joanna.

What Joanna appreciate most about academia is the inspiring exchange of ideas and the engagement with scholars and students representing diverse academic cultures and backgrounds.

"That is also one of the key features of CIVICA. In addition, CIVICA stands at the forefront of integrating academic studies and addressing global challenges with social commitment, a mission that I truly support. As the CIVICA Project Manager, I am eager to contribute to the further internationalization of SSE and the enhancement of the alliance's academic and social impact, particularly by advancing the Engage track and fostering an enriching European learning community", she concludes.

Read more about CIVICA here