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Zachara-Szymańska Małgorzata - Instytut Amerykanistyki i Studiów Polonijnych

Our Faculty

Prof. Małgorzata Zachara-Szymańska

Prof. Małgorzata Zachara-Szymańska

Małgorzata Zachara-Szymańska specializes in global governance and leadership in international affairs. She has held visiting positions and taught at many academic institutions, including Imperial College London (2022-2023), Hertie School of Governance (Berlin, 2023), Centre of Social Innovation (Vienna, Austria, 2015), George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (2015), John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies, Freie Universität (2014), The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva (2012), University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA, 2008). She led and served as the primary investigator of international research projects: "Negotiating Cultural Differences in the Digital Communication Era" (National Science Centre; HARMONIA grant), "Poland in Transatlantic Relations – Tools, Perspectives, and the Role of Poland in Shaping Transatlantic Debate" (National Science Centre; SONATA grant). Additionally, she was a scholarship holder of the Italian government (University of Cagliari, 2019) and Jean Monnet Fellow at the European University Institute (Florence, 2024/2025). Currently, she is a Visiting Professor at Imperial College London. She has received multiple awards from the Rector of Jagiellonian University for her scientific achievements. 

Professor Zachara-Szymańska has extensively published on global leadership, multilateral cooperation, global governance structures, security policies, the rule of law, legitimacy, and modern democracy. Her articles and chapters have been featured in the Leadership Journal, as well as publications by Palgrave, Routledge, and Sage. For several years, she has worked as an expert for numerous business organizations, overseeing applied projects in information management, leadership, and marketing communication aimed at transferring scientific knowledge to the business sphere (2010-2016). She has advised companies, public and private institutions on strategic management and leadership.

Her latest book Global Political Leadership: In Search of Synergy (Routledge 2023) addresses the principles of leadership in the age of globalization and is available in open access version.

She is also an engaged public scholar, contributing to contemporary debates through print and digital media, as well as radio and television. She co-hosts a weekly programme on TOK FM, has produced a podcast series for Vogue and has been featured in CNN and The Conversation, among others.

Functions:

  • Vice-President of the Polish International Studies Association (PTSM)
  • Member of the Editorial Board of the journal Leadership
  • International Relations Discipline Council
  • Departmental HR Committee
  • Head of MA in Trans-Atlantic Studies program (2011-2019)
Academic interests:
  • Global Governance
  • Leadership
  • Diplomacy
  • Peace and Development Studies
  • International Security
  • International Arms Trade
  • Knowledge Management

Publications

2027, (forthcoming) Science Communication in a Divided World. Conversations with Key Thinkers. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, (with Stephen Webster).

2023, Global Political Leadership: In Search of Synergy, London-New York: Routledge, pp. 310.

2015, Mechanizmy wpływu w środowisku międzynarodowym. Zastosowanie Cog (Centre of Gravity) do analizy procesów decyzyjnych w sprawach globalnych (“The Mechanisms of Influence in an International Environment: Applying Cog [Center of Gravity] to the Analysis of Decision-Making Processes in Global Affairs”), Krakow: Jagiellonian University Press, pp. 348 pages.

2012, Global Governance. Ład międzynarodowy po zakończeniu stulecia Ameryki (“Global Governance: The International Order After America’s Bicentennial”), Krakow: Jagiellonian University Press, pp. 289.

2010, Broń i dyplomacja. Eksport uzbrojenia w polityce zagranicznej Stanów Zjednoczonych (“Weapons and Diplomacy: The Export of Arms in the United States’ Foreign Policy”), Krakow: Jagiellonian University Press, pp. 262.

2021, Leadership: actors and their strategies in marine environmental governance [in:] Routledge Handbook of Marine Governance and Global Environmental Change, ed. P. Harris, Routledge, pp. 75-84.

2021, Covid-19 transition turbulence. Structural violence in a time of economic paradigm change [in:] Energy Policy Advancement: Climate Change Mitigation and International Environmental Justice, eds. D. Kurochkin, MJ Crawford, E. Shabily, Springer, pp. 229-244.

2020, To Grow or Not to Grow: The Evolution of the Economic Paradigm as a Response to Climate Disruption, [in:] Discourses on Sustainability, eds. Elena V. Shabliy, Dmitry Kurochkin, Martha J. Crawford, Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 157-183.

2018, Poland in the United Nations’ Peace Operations After 1989 (co-author: Artur Gruszczak, [in:] Poland in International Institutions, 1918-2018, Warsaw: National Center of Culture Press.

2017, Setting the Scene: Transatlantic Relations in Transition, [in:] Poland in Transatlantic Relations After 1989: Miracle Fair, ed. Małgorzata Zachara, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 9-35.

2017, Between Atlanticism and Eurocentrism: Polish-American Relations since 1989, [in:] Poland in Transatlantic Relations After 1989: Miracle Fair, ed. Małgorzata Zachara, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 176-203.

2016, Strategic Synergy: China's New Maritime Orientation in White Paper in the Military Strategy of 2015 (co-author: Marcin Szymański), [in:] The Asia-Pacific Region 1985-2015: An Example of Continuity and Change in Regional System, Scholar, pp. 95-112.

2014, The Second Amendment Dilemma: Social and Political Divisions over Gun Control in the United States, [in:] The United States as a Divided Nation: Past and Present, eds. Marcin Grabowski, Kryštof Kozák, and György Tóth, Peter Lang Verlag, pp. 133-149.

2013, Corporations in the Net of Global Influences – Cooperation Potential and Strategies in International Relations, [in:] Levels of Analysis in International Relations, Vol. II, eds. Edward Haliżak, Marek Pietraś, Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Rambler, pp. 241-258.

2013, International Trade in Armaments as a Destabilizing Factor in Dysfunctional Countries, [in:] Państwa dysfunkcyjne i ich destabilizujący wpływ na stosunki międzynarodowe (“Dysfunctional Countries and Their Destabilizing Impact on International Relations”), ed. Robert Kłosowicz, Krakow: Jagiellonian University Press, pp. 195-225.

2011, Religion in the Global Village, [in:] Religion in International Relations, eds. Anna M. Solarz, Hanna Schreiber, Warsaw: Warsaw University Press, pp. 77-91.

2009, The Geopolitics of Frontiers: American Security Dilemmas in the Twenty-First Century, [in:] Amerykomania: A Commemorative Book in Honor of the Professor Andrzej Mania, eds. Bogdan Szlachta, Włodzimierz Bernacki, Krakow: Jagiellonian University Press, pp. 247-274.

2009, American Strategy Towards Global Governance: New Leadership or Identity Crisis? [in:] The United States and the World: From Imitation to Challenge, eds. Andrzej Mania, Łukasz Wordliczek, Krakow: Jagiellonian University Press, pp. 209-223.

2007, Wojna sprywatyzowana - rola PMC (Private Military Companies) podczas operacji "Iracka Wolność" oraz w procesie rekonstrukcji Iraku (“Privatized War: The Role of PMCs [Private Military Companies] During ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom”), [in:] Irak. Dylematy Amerykańskiej Interwencji (“Iraq: The Dilemmas of the American Intervention”), ed. Witold Dzielski, Krakow: Księgarnia Akademicka, pp. 179-195.

2005, The Current Structure of the EU Arms Market: Conventional Arms Export Control Policy in Visegrad States, [in:] Security Under Global Pressure, eds. István Tarrosy, Europe Centre PBC, pp. 127-133.

2026, Gangster diplomacy and the disordering of international society, "International Politics" (with Richard Higgott).

2024, Paradigm change and sense-making exercise: war in Ukraine as a leadership puzzle, "Politeja", No 21(29): 59-76.

2024, Safeguarding Authenticity for Mitigating the Harms of Generative AI: Policies for Detection, Fact-Checking, and Ethical AI, Ahmed Abdeen Hamed, Xindong Wu, Małgorzata Zachara-Szymańska, "iScience".

2023, The Return of the Hero-Leader? Volodymyr Zelensky’s International Image and the Global Response to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, "Leadership" 3(19) 2023: 196-209. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17427150231159.

2021, A Postcapitalistic People? Examining the Millennial Generation’s Economic Philosophies and Practices, "Sustainability" 13 (7), 2021: 3784 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073784.

2020, To Vote or Not to Vote? The Political Orientations of Millennials in a Comparative Perspective, "Society and Economy".

2020, The Millennial Generation in the Context of Political Power: A Leadership Gap?, "Leadership" 2(16), pp. 241-258.

2019, Can Institutions Save the World? Neoliberal Institutionalist Perspectives on Global Governance, "Stosunki Międzynarodowe"/"International Relations", Vol. 55 No. 1, pp. 41-58.

2017, The Transatlantic Globalisation Dilemma: How to Retain Power While Contesting the Principles?, "Stosunki Międzynarodowe"/"International Relations", Vol. 53 No. 1, pp. 185-201

2017, The Concept of Sovereignty in Transatlantic Relations: New Realities Versus Old Debates, "Politeja", No. 1 (46), pp. 283-305

2017, Techno Transatlantic: Science and Technology in Relations Between the United States and Europe, "Ad Americam: Journal of American Studies" Vol. 18, pp. 89-106.

2009, Balancing National Interests: U.S. Arms Export Policy, "Ad Americam", Vol. 10, pp. 101-114.

2008, Energy Security in a Globalised World, "Just Change", Issue 13, p. 15.

2008, U.S.-China Education Exchange: The Diffusion of Democratic Ideas, Western Values, and Economic Standards, "Logos", No. 5 (Oct. 2008), pp. 212-219

2008, Tarcza antyrakietowa a polska suwerenność (“The Anti-Missile Defense Shield and Polish Sovereignty”), "Znak", No. 5, pp. 85-95 (co-author: Wojciech Michnik).

2005, Oddziaływanie polityki Stanów Zjednoczonych w zakresie eksportu broni i technologii militarnych na procesy demokratyzacji na świecie (“The Impact of the United States’ Policy in the Area of the Export of Arms and Military Technologies on Democratization Processes Around the World”), "Politeja", No. 2, pp. 210-224.

2017, Poland in Transatlantic Relations After 1989: Miracle Fair, ed. Małgorzata Zachara, Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 367.

2014, Digital Diversities: Social Media and Intercultural Experience, eds. Garry Robson, Małgorzata Zachara, Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 330.

2012, “Global Arms Trafficking,” [in:] Counterterrorism: From the Cold War to the War on Terror, ed. Frank Shanty, Preager, ABC-CLIO.

2012, “International Media: A Critical Tool in the Battle against Terrorism,” [in:] Counterterrorism: From the Cold War to the War on Terror, ed. Frank Shanty, Preager, ABC-CLIO.

2012, “Beslan Massacre (2004),” [in:] Counterterrorism: From the Cold War to the War on Terror, ed. Frank Shanty, Preager, ABC-CLIO.

2012, “Moscow Metro Attacks (2004 & 2010),” [in:] Counterterrorism: From the Cold War to the War on Terror, ed. Frank Shanty, Preager, ABC-CLIO.

2012, “Nord-Ost Siege,” (2002) [in:] Counterterrorism: From the Cold War to the War on Terror, ed. Frank Shanty, Preager, ABC-CLIO.

2011, “Illegal Trade, Arms,” [in:] Encyclopedia of Global Studies, Mark Juergensmeyer, ed. Helmut Anheier, SAGE Publications, pp. 864-867.

2011, “Drone Attacks,” [in:] Encyclopedia of World Terrorism, eds. Frank Shanty, James Ciment, M.E. Sharpe, pp. 754-757.

2017, 9-10 November, "Przywództwo Stanów Zjednoczonych w regionie euroatlantyckim" (“The Leadership of the United States in the Euro-Atlantic Region”), Seventh National Convention of the Polish International Studies Association, Krakow, Poland.

2017, 10 April, "Prawa człowieka w czasach bezładu. Szanse i zagrożenia. Ad meliora tempora. Zagrożenia współczesnego świata" (“Human Rights During Times of Disorder: Ad meliora tempora – The Threats Posed by the Contemporary World”), KSSM UJ, Krakow, Poland.

2015, international conference: “Poland in Transatlantic Relations After 1989,” Krakow, Poland. Paper: “Back to the Game? Polish-American Relations After the End of the Cold War.”

2013, 2-3 October, international conference: “Private Voices of Public Diplomacy: How Digital Technology Shapes the Images of States and Societies,” Krakow, Poland. Paper: “Negotiating Cultural Differences in a Digital Communication Era.”

2012, 10 November, national conference: “Corporations in the Net of Global Influences: Cooperation Potential and Strategies in International Relations,” Lublin, Poland. Paper: “Levels of Analysis in International Relations.”

2010, international conference: “Between Atlanticism and Eurocentrism: Politics and Identity in the New Europe,” University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WS, United States. Paper: “The Transcultural Atlantic.”

2010, 16-19 June, national conference: “Religion in the Global Village,” Nysa, Poland. Paper: “Religion as a Factor in International Relations.”

2009, 22-24 June, international conference “American Strategy Towards Global Governance: New Leadership or a Crisis of Identity?” Krakow, Poland. Paper: “The United States and the World: From Imitation to Challenge.”

2009, 29-30 May, national conference: “Privatised Responsibility: Strategies of Poverty Reduction in Global Governance,” Krynica Morska, Poland. Paper: “Poverty as a Global Issue.”

2008, international conference: “U.S.-China Education Exchange: The Diffusion of Democratic Ideas – Western Values and Economic Standards,” Tiblisi, Georgia. Paper: “Dialogue of Civilizations – Education and Enlightenment as a Means of the Collaboration of Sides.”

2008, “Private Military Companies in Iraq and Afghanistan,” national conference: First Polish Conference of the Jagiellonian University Political Science Association, Politikon, Krakow, Poland.

Research projects and media

  • 2022, "Narratives in disinformation. Opinion leaders and networks of influence in information campaigns presenting the refugee problem during the war in Ukraine in 2022. Research grant of the Strategic Program Excellence Initiative at the Jagiellonian University.
  • 2022, "Digital corporations and other non-state actors facing the challenges of global cognitive leadership." Research grant of the Strategic Program Excellence Initiative at the Jagiellonian University.
  • 2023, "Scientific communication and the concept of a 'good society'". Research grant of the Strategic Program Excellence Initiative at the Jagiellonian University.
  • 2021, "Holokaust w praktykach i narracjach przywództwa" (“The Holocaust in Leadership Practices and Narratives”), MINIgrants Heritage PRA competition (First edition), Strategic Program Excellence Initiative at the Jagiellonian University.
  • 2021, "Leadership for the Protection of Global Public Goods", Global Trends Lab (GTL) – A World in Turbulence: Political and Security Challenges, Strategic Program Excellence Initiative at the Jagiellonian University.
  • 2019, "Can Institutions Save the World? Global Governance in a Time of Fragmentation". Research project thanks to an Italian Government Scholarship. Cagliari University, 2019.
  • "Poland in Transatlantic Relations: Tools, Perspectives, and the Role of Poland in Shaping the Transatlantic Debate", National Center of Science grant, SONATA, 2012-2016.
  • "Negotiating Cultural Differences in the Digital Communication Era", National Center of Science grant, HARMONIA, 2012-2014.

Applied grants:

  • “Knowledge and Practice” European Social Fund Program (Operational program: Human Capital) aimed at integrating academic knowledge and business practices. Project included research within the areas of market communication, marketing, developing, and adapting the tools of the business strategic analysis and management. The outcomes of this research have been applied in the Grupa Partner enterprise (2010)
  • “Knowledge, Practice, Human Resources” European Social Fund Program (Operational program: Human Capital) aimed at integrating academic knowledge and business practices. The project consisted of research concerning network cooperation, interactions, and communication in clusters, international communication, market communication. The outcomes of the research have been applied in the KPB Cracovia enteprise (2011-2012)
  • “Knowledge, Practice, Cooperation” European Social Fund Program (Operational program: Human Capital) aimed at integrating academic knowledge and business practices. The Project consisted of research concerning cyberspace communication, virtual identities, and consumers’ needs. The outcomes of the research have been applied to the Get Smarter start up (2014-2015).

  • Interviews for radio TOK FM
  • Program I PR: Nowe regulacje kryzysowe wprowadzane przez Bidena (“New Crisis Regulations Introduced by Biden”); Donald Trump nie da o sobie zapomnieć (“Donald Trump Won’t Let Us Forget Him”); Ekspert o orędziu Donalda Trumpa: był to spektakl polityczny (“An Expert on Donald Trump’s Speech: It Was a Political Spectacle”); Prof. Zachara o Bidenie: jego propozycja nawiązuje do tradycji amerykańskiego snu (“Prof. Zachara on Biden: His Proposals Refer to the Tradition of the American Dream”); Szczyt NATO. Czy bezpieczeństwo Polski jest zagrożone? (“The NATO Summit: Is Poland’ Security in Jeopardy?”); Ekspert o orędziu Donalda Trumpa: był to spektakl polityczny (“An Expert on Donald Trump’s Speech: It Was a Political Spectacle”)
  • TVN24: Gospodarcze plany Joe Bidena (“Joe Biden’s Economic Plans”); Wygrana Donalda Trumpa (“Donald Trump’s Victory”); Jaki powinien być start Trumpa? (“What Should Trump’s Start Be Like?”)
  • Forbes: Kim jest Peter Thiel? (“Who Is Peter Thiel?”)
  • Gazeta Prawna
  • Radio Kraków: O zaskoczeniu wyborem Donalda Trumpa na prezydenta USA (“On Surprise Due to the Election of Donald Trump as President of the United States”).