On May 10–11, 2026, the University of Siedlce hosted a series of events highlighting European Doctoral Student Day—an international initiative established to emphasize the importance of doctoral education and the role of young researchers in the advancement of science, innovation, and society. The celebrations combined scientific, social, outreach, and sports activities, engaging the academic community, doctoral students, undergraduates, and residents of the region.
The first event as part of the celebration program was the “Academic 10K” 2026, which took place on May 10, 2026. Organized by the University of Siedlce, the event was a sports and community-building initiative that brought together professional runners, fitness enthusiasts, students, graduate students, university staff, high school students, and local residents. The event aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage physical activity, and foster integration between the academic and local communities.
The highlight of the event was the main 10-kilometer run. The organizers also prepared a 5-kilometer Nordic Walking march, a 4 × 1-kilometer high school relay race, and a recreational “Good Fun Amateur Run.” The start and finish lines were located at the University of Siedlce Rector’s Office at 2 Konarskiego Street, while the route ran through the city streets and the grounds surrounding the Ogiński Palace—one of Siedlce’s most distinctive architectural landmarks. Numerous sports communities and local institutions were involved in organizing the event, including Skórzec BIEGA, Yulo Run Team Siedlce, NoWi Siedlce, and Triathlon Siedlce Club. Municipal and local government institutions also served as partners for the event.
An important aspect of the event was its social and charitable dimension. During the race, funds were raised for 8-year-old Dawid Bierkat, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, further emphasizing the event’s spirit of integration and solidarity. The organizers also highlighted the very high turnout and exceptionally positive atmosphere surrounding the event.
Doctoral students from the Doctoral School of the University of Siedlce actively participated in “Akademicka Dysza” 2026. As part of the event, a booth was set up to promote the doctoral students’ research activities and the offerings of the University of Siedlce’s Doctoral School. Event participants had the opportunity to learn about the topics of ongoing research, talk with doctoral students about their research projects, and receive informational materials and promotional items for the University of Siedlce Doctoral School. The booth attracted significant interest from visitors and served as an important element in promoting the research activities of young scholars.
The following doctoral students actively participated in the sports competition: Mariusz Matacz, M.A., Julia Borkowska, M.A., Dominik Kowalczyk, M.A., and Robert Gryczka, M.A. The Doctoral School was represented in the Nordic Walking march by Maryla Karczewska-Czapska, M.A. Also participating in the walk were the Director of the Doctoral School at the University of Siedlce, Dr. Paweł Szmitkowski, a university professor, and Dorota Skibniewska, M.A., who heads the Doctoral School Office at the University of Siedlce.
On the second day of the celebrations, May 11, 2026, the 6th Siedlce Doctoral Student Forum took place, organized by the Doctoral Student Council of the Doctoral School at the University of Siedlce. The event was nationwide in scope and was aimed at doctoral students representing various academic disciplines and academic centers from across Poland. The forum was organized in a hybrid format—in-person at the University of Siedlce building at 39 Żytnia Street and online via the Google Meet platform.
The theme of this year’s Forum was “Different Perspectives – A Shared World.” The organizers emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the event, which aimed to create a space for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and research findings among doctoral students representing various fields of science. The Forum enabled participants to present their own research projects, develop scientific and communication skills, and establish academic and inter-university collaborations.
The conference’s thematic scope covered a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, including the social sciences, humanities, exact sciences, natural sciences, medical sciences, and agricultural sciences. Participants could take part both as presenters and as passive listeners. The organizers provided for the possibility of publishing papers in a peer-reviewed multi-author monograph. The Scientific Committee, chaired by Dr. Paweł Szmitkowski, a professor at the university, oversaw the substantive quality of the event. The event’s partners were: the National Doctoral Students’ Association, the Mayor of Siedlce, and the Rector of the University of Siedlce.
The following doctoral students were actively involved in organizing promotional activities: Martyna Kwiatkowska, M.A., Paweł Kifer, M.Sc., Klaudia Czarnocka, M.A., Mateusz Janczuk, M.A., Tomasz Kondraciuk, M.A., Natalia Agarkova, M.A., Adam Szulc, M.A., Przemysław Rozbicki, M.A., Julita Kisielińska, M.A., and Wiktoria Rudko, M.A., who, under the supervision of the Deputy Director of the University of Siedlce Doctoral School, Dr. Łukasz Domański, supported activities aimed at integrating the doctoral community with the local community and the socio-economic environment.
Both events—the “Academic 10K” 2026 and the 6th Siedlce Doctoral Forum—were an important part of the European Doctoral Student Day celebrations at the University of Siedlce. These initiatives underscore
The following doctoral students were actively involved in organizing the promotional activities: Martyna Kwiatkowska, M.A.; Paweł Kifer, M.Sc.; Klaudia Czarnocka, M.A.; Mateusz Janczuk, M.A.; Tomasz Kondraciuk, M.A.; Natalia Agarkova, M.A.; Adam Szulc, M.A.; Przemysław Rozbicki, M.A., Julita Kisielińska, M.A., and Wiktoria Rudko, M.A., who, under the supervision of the Deputy Director of the Doctoral School at the University of Silesia, Dr. Łukasz Domański, supported activities aimed at integrating the doctoral community with the local community and the socio-economic environment.
Both events—the “Academic 10K” 2026 and the 6th Siedlce Doctoral Forum—were an important part of the European Doctoral Student Day celebrations at the University of Siedlce. These initiatives highlighted the importance of integrating the doctoral community, promoting science, internationalizing academic activities, and the active participation of young researchers in the social and academic life of the university.
