COMPETITION

As part of the Science Hub UniLodz – UNIC Edition call for proposals, held between May 26 and May 31, 2025, and 23 - 29th June 2025 the selection committee has decided to support the following 12 research-application projects: 

1. An Unofficial City Map of Łódź. Team: 

• dr Patrycja Grzyś, University of Lodz, Faculty of Geography, Department of Regional and Social Geography;
• dr hab. Paulina Tobiasz-Lis, University of Lodz, Faculty of Geography, Department of Regional and Social Geography;
• prof. Pierre Ozer, University of Liège, Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Sciences and Management (RICHES Laboratory);
• Szymon Grodzki, student of Geoinformation, University of Lodz;
• Szymon Iwanowski, Stowarzyszenie Społecznie Zaangażowani.

2. Greenery as a Tool for Adaptation: Socially Rooted Innovations in UNIC Cities. Team: 

• dr Ewa Boryczka, University of Lodz, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, Department of Regional Economy and Environment/Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Studies;
• dr Douglas Cubie, School of Law, University College Cork;
• Maria Olbert,student of the ‘EcoCity’ programme, University of Lodz;
• Jakub Majewski, student of the ‘EcoCity’ programme, University of Lodz;
• Niamh Guiry, student kierunku "Law", School of Law, University College Cork;
• Agata Burlińska, City of Lodz Office.

3. Public Participation in Urban Climate Change Adaptation Processes: A Comparative Study of Post-Industrial Cities – Łódź and Cork. Team: 

• dr Magdaleny Moryl, University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Bacterial Biology;
• prof. Jasna Hrenovic, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Biology Department;
• Weronika Morgaś, student of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Laboratory Diagnostics, University of Lodz;
• Blanka Dadic, student of  "Biology", University of Zagreb;
• Anna Wierzbicka, Department of Environmental Development, City of Lodz Office.

4. CityBiome – Discovering the Urban Microbiome of Łódź – Towards a Safe and Resident-Friendly Environment. Team:

• dr hab. Sylwia Różalska, University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology; Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology;
• prof. Tomislav Ivanković, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology;
• Patrycja Lemańska, student of Biotechnology, University of Lodz;
• Marta Stachowska, student of Biotechnology, University of Lodz;
• Ines Bedeković, student of "Biology", University of Zagreb;
• dr Szymon Kostrzewski, Department of Health and Social Affairs, City of Lodz Office.

5. A Child-Friendly City: Microbiological Cleanliness of Sandpits in the Context of Public Health and Sustainable Development. Team: 

• dr Anna Głogowska-Balcerzak, University of Lodz, Faculty of Law and Administration, Department of International Law and International Relations;
• prof. Zoran Burić, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law, Department of Criminal Procedure;
• Wojciech Niewiadomski, student of "Law", University of Lodz;
• Zuzanna Piórkowska, student of "Law", University of Lodz;
• Magdalena Kijańska, Fundacja Ktoś.

6. I Know My Rights – A Guide for Women Experiencing Domestic Violence. Team: 

• dr Justyna Groblińska, University of Lodz, Faculty of Philology, Institute of Romance Studies, Department of Italian Studies
• prof. Jana Vukić, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology;
• Mateusz Patalan, student of Romance Philology, University of Lodz;
• Lana Mamula, student "Sociology and Ethnology & Cultural Anthropology", University of Zagreb;
• Marta Madejska, Stowarzyszenie Topografie.

7. Molecules on a mission: from synthesis to cytotoxicity. Team:

• Dr. Aneta Kosinska, University of Lodz, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry;
• prof. Tomislav Ivanković,University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology;
• Aleksandra Baldys, student majoring in "Chemistry of Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals with Business Elements," University of Lodz;
• Paola Karabogdan, student majoring in "Biology," University of Zagreb;
• dr hab. prof. CBMiM Marek Brzeziński, Polskie Towarzystwo Chemiczne.

8. Contemporary art of multicultural cities: Łódź and Zagreb – beyond divisions – mutual understanding as a path to accepting diversity and openness to dialogue among the young urban community. Team:

• prof. Marzena Woźniak-Łabieniec, University of Lodz, Faculty of Philology, Department of 20th and 21st Century Polish Literature;
• dr Kamila Kwiatkowska, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy; Instytut of West Slavic Languages and Literatures; Department of Language and Literature;
• Zuzanna Pędziejewska, student of Polish Philology, University of Lodz;
  Zuzanna Walczak, student of Polish Philology, University of Lodz;
  Jakub Łabieniec, student of Polish Philology, University of Lodz;
• Ivana Reljanovic, studentka kierunku "Humanities and Social Sciences", University of Zagreb;
• dr Leszek Karczewski, Muzeum Sztuki w Łodzi.

9. Revitalization Through the Eyes of Residents: A Social Assessment of the Revitalization Area I in Łódź (Streets: Rewolucji 1905 r. - Jaracza - Wschodnia - Kilińskiego), with Particular Focus on Włókiennicza Street. Team:

• dr Jagoda Adamus, University of Lodz, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, Department of Socio-Ecological Systems Analysis;
• dr Elnaz Sarkheyl, Malmö University, Department of Urban Studies;
• Weronika Dąbrowicz, Student majoring in spatial management, University of Lodz;
• Jakub Kowalski, Łódzkie Stowarzyszenie Lokatorów.

10. Natural Allies in Urban Green Protection: Study on Entomopathogenic Fungi as Biological Antagonists of Plant Pests. Team:

• dr Monika Nowak, University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology/ Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology;
• dr Marta Nowak-Lange, University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology/ Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology;
• prof. Silvija Cerni, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology;
• Maciej Krasowski, student of Biotechnology, University of Lodz;
  Emilia Nowak, student of Biotechnology, University of Lodz;
  Alina Gojšić, student of Biology, University of Zagreb;
• Anna Wierzbicka, Wydział Kształtowania Środowiska Urząd Miasta Łodzi.

11. Resonant Cities: Listening Together to Post-Industrial Pasts and Sonic Futures. Team:

• dr Justyna Anders-Morawska, University of Lodz, Faculty of International and Political Studies, Department of International Marketing and Distribution;
• dr Michał Sędkowski, University of Lodz, Faculty of International and Political Studies, Department of International Marketing and Distribution;
• dr Jeffrey Weeter, University College Cork, School of Film, Music and Theatre, Music Department;
• dr Denis Linehan, University College Cork, School of the Human Environment, Department of Geography;
• Pola Piekarska, student of International Cultural Studies, University of Lodz;
  Jakub Janiak, student of International Marketing, University of Lodz;
  Sebastian Novoa Pena, student of Redesigning Post Industrial City - RePic MSc, University of Cork;
• Joanna Szumacher, Stowarzyszenie Nowa Kultura i Edukacja.

12. Microorganisms in the Zoo – discovering the invisible inhabitants.Team:

• dr Małgorzata Siwińska, University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection; Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Bacterial Biology;
• dr Lucija Nuskern Karaica, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology;
• Wiktoria Jakubczyk, student of Microbiology, University of Lodz;
• Kamila Kwietniewska, student of Microbiology, University of Lodz;
• Antoni Lykowski, student of Microbiology, University of Lodz;
• Wiktor Zarębski, student of Microbiology, University of Lodz;
• Jan Stjepan Franja, student of Biology, University of Zagreb;
• Magdalena Janiszewska, Orientarium ZOO Łódź.

All projects met both formal and qualitative criteria. 

The aim of the competition within the Science Hub of the University of Lodz platform, UNIC edition, is to select twelve scientific projects of an applied nature or implementation activities carried out in cooperation with a partner organisation and responding to its needs. This initiative is intended to strengthen international cooperation within the European network of universities - UNIC in the field of cooperation with the environment.  

Submitted projects can be implemented as part of theses, dissertations and other teaching activities, as well as within the activities of student science clubs.

In the UNIC edition, we particularly encourage the submission of projects that:

• are interdisciplinary in nature,
• support the realisation of a selected sustainable development goal,
• help increase the adaptive capacity of the city of Lodz in the socio-economic area in the face of key challenges such as:
  • Lodz's depopulation, 
  • Strengthening the involvement of the city's inhabitants in adapting to the effects of climate change, 
  • Integration of socially excluded groups, 
  • Increasing equal access to good quality, sustainable and affordable social and health services, 
  • Strengthening the acceptance of diversity and its promotion among the urban community, 
  • Intensify action on spatial order and reduce urban sprawl, 
  • Strengthening public participation, 
  • Development of residents' social capital and education for the city as a common good, 
  • Improving public transport, 
  • Adaptation of research on urban issues to the needs of urban management practice.

Meeting the listed criteria is not mandatory, but is rewarded with points, which increases the chances of a project qualifying for implementation within the Science Hub UŁ. Submitted projects must be completed by 30.05.2026.   

The competition invites teams consisting of:  

• at least one person studying at the University of Lodz (full-time or part-time, bachelor's or master's degree),
• at least one person supervising students from the University of Lodz,  
• at least one person studying at another university in the UNIC network (full-time or part-time, Bachelor's or Master's degree),  
• at least one person supervising students from another university in the UNIC network,  
• a person representing a partner organisation external to the University of Lodz. 

The period of recruitment for the competition is 26.05.2025 to 31.05.2025. 

Entry to the competition is made by sending a completed application form and its attachments by the team member who acts as the supervisor from the Univerisity of Lodz. 

The application form should briefly present, among other things:  

• Description of the external partner's needs concerning the implementation of the project (part to be filled in by the person representing the partner organisation).
• Description of the project including objectives, research methodology and expected outcomes of the project (part to be filled in by the supervisor from the University of Lodz). 
• Justification of the interdisciplinary character of the project. 
• Description of relevance to sustainable development goals.  
• Justification of the project's impact in the context of challenges for Lodz as a post-industrial city. 

• The commission will select the projects that meet the requirements set out in Annex 2 and score the highest number of points.
• In case of an equal number of points, the order of submission will be decisive. 
• The results of the competition will be announced by 5.06.2025 on the Science Hub of the University of Lodz website in the UNIC Edition tab and communicated to the teams at the e-mail address of the supervisor from the University of Lodz indicated in the application.
• Between 23 - 26.06.2025, the organiser may approach the next ranked but unselected teams with a proposal for collaboration if the signing of a contract with one of the selected teams has not taken place. 

1. The members of the teams selected in the competition will sign agreements setting out the terms and conditions of the collaboration. 
2. Subsequently, members of the teams will be invited to participate in training sessions on the implementation of the cooperation. The detailed date will be announced later.  
3. The teams' projects will be implemented according to the description in the application form and a signed agreement containing the scope and schedule of the project developed in the team.  
4. Upon the completion of the implementation, the team will prepare a Project Report. A template of the Project Report is attached as Appendix No. 7. 
5. Before signing the Report, we recommend consulting with the relevant Ambassador of the Science Hub  - UNIC edition.
6. The signed Project Report is sent electronically (as a scan) by the supervisor from the University of Lodz to science.hub@uni.lodz.pl, to the information of the respective Science Hub Ambassador of the University of Lodz - UNIC edition. The original hard copy of the Report is to be to the International Hub, University of Lodz.
7. At the end of the process, team members will be asked to participate in an evaluation survey.  

During the project we provide:

• Team members who are students at the University of Lodz:   
  • Participation in a training course to develop key competences when working with an external partner: communication, team cooperation, project work using the Design Thinking method.   
  • Certificate of participation in the project. 
• Team members who are students at UNIC network universities: 
  • Participation in a training course to develop key competences when working with an external partner: communication, team cooperation, project work using the Design Thinking method.   
  • Reimbursement of travel expenses for a 3-day stay in Lodz. 
  • Accommodation in the Conference and Training Centre of the University of Lodz.      
  • Certificate of participation in the project. 
• Team members acting as supervisors from the University of Lodz: 
  • Participation in a training course to develop key competences when working with external institutions: communication, team collaboration, project work using the Design Thinking method.  
  • Certificate of participation in the project. 
  • Single remuneration of not less than PLN 5,000 gross (upon submission and approval of the Project Report).  
• Team members acting as supervisors from UNIC network universities: 
  • Participation in a training course to develop key competences when working with external institutions: communication, team collaboration, project work using the Design Thinking method.
  • Reimbursement of travel expenses for a 3-day stay in Lodz. 
  • Accommodation in the Conference and Training Centre of the University of Lodz.
  • Certificate of participation in the project. 
• Partner organization:   
  • The results of an implemented project that responds to the real needs of the subject.   
  • Participation in a training on the principles and process of cooperation with the University of Lodz on multilateral projects.   
  • Certificate of participation in the project.