In July 2023 Dr. Katarzyna Iwińska, Collegium Civitas Vice-Rector for Scientific Research visited the University of Tasmania. The visit was organized within the framework of the EU-funded Erasmus+ program.

“My visit to the University of Tasmania’s School of Social Sciences was an exciting opportunity to explore sustainability initiatives in education and research. Despite feeling some climate guilt over the long journey to the antipodes, I was determined to make the most of my trip,” – says Dr. Iwińska, who participated, during her stay in Australia, also in the XX ISA World Congress of Sociology held in Melbourne. 

The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is a partner university of Collegium Civitas. It is an esteemed institution known for its sustainability and climate action commitment. UTAS has earned recognition for its pioneering efforts in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices. 

“My visit coincided with the commencement of the winter semester, which provided an excellent chance to observe how students’ associations from various countries, such as China, Japan, Indonesia, India, and more, organized themselves and integrated into the university community.” – says Dr. Iwińska who participated in a series of lectures and seminars on sustainable development. 

“During my time at the university, I had valuable meetings with faculty members from the Institute for Social Change. Professor Bruce Tranter introduced me to the School of Social Sciences work. We particularly discussed the role of sociology in the field of climate change, knowledge, and leadership.” – she adds.  

A notable focal point of Dr. Iwińska’s visit was to learn about the “Tasmania Project” introduced by Ami Seivwright, who is actively involved in the initiative. Its primary objective is to empower the community by giving them a voice and ensuring their opinions and perspectives are heard and considered in decision-making processes. 

“My Erasmus+ visit provided valuable insights into sustainability practices and was truly inspirational,” – concludes Dr. Iwińska.