Cambridge Polish Studies began in 2014 as a pilot initiative of the Department of Slavonic Studies, launched with the kind support of the following donors:
The Foundation for Polish Science (FNP)
The M. B. Grabowski Fund
Trinity College's Zdanowich Fund
In July 2017, Cambridge Polish Studies became a permanent feature of the University of Cambridge’s research and teaching programmes following the signing of an historic agreement with the University of Warsaw.
The signing marked the grant of 15 million złotys (approximately £3.1 million), allocated to the University of Warsaw by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, to endow in perpetuity a Polish Studies Programme at Cambridge.
The programme provides opportunities for research collaboration, as well as teaching in Polish language, literature and culture.
The programme’s research output will be complemented by a series of high-profile public events that will aim to stimulate research in Polish culture and society, and promote greater understanding of Poland’s role in European history as well as its position as a rising economic power.
Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, signed the agreement with the Rector of the University of Warsaw, Professor Marcin Pałys.
Professor Martin Millett, Head of the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Cambridge, said: “We are delighted to be strengthening this relationship with our colleagues in Poland, which is not only of strategic importance to the University of Cambridge, but of significant import at this time in the history of Europe.”
“The continuity of Polish Studies at the University of Cambridge is an opportunity for both parties to develop teaching and research cooperation,” said Professor Maciej Duszczyk, Vice Rector for Research at the University of Warsaw. He added: “An Advisory Board for the new Polish Studies programme at Cambridge –consisting of representatives from the University of Cambridge, the University of Warsaw, and the Foundation for Polish Science—will be tasked with setting the framework for our collaboration.”
We continue to seek major donors to develop and expand the teaching and research programme of Cambridge Polish Studies.
