European Doctoral Candidate Day at the UW – “Inspiration Day” on May 13
12 05 2026
The University of Warsaw is joining the first celebrations of the European Doctoral Candidate Day – a Europe-wide initiative that, starting in 2026, will be celebrated annually on May 13. This year’s event at the University of Warsaw will take place under the theme “Inspiration Day”, combining skills development, inspiring discussions, and the integration of the doctoral community.
European Doctoral Candidate Day aims to highlight the importance of doctoral education and the role of doctoral candidates in the development of science, innovation, and society. The initiative also promotes diverse academic and professional career paths while increasing awareness of the value of doctoral qualifications both within and beyond academia.
The idea for the celebration originated in France, but it quickly gained support from European academic networks representing the doctoral community. More than 170 events organized by universities and research institutions will take place across Europe, including in France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
“Inspiration Day” at the University of Warsaw
The University of Warsaw’s celebrations of the European Doctoral Candidate Day will consist of three parts: workshops, mini-lectures, and an integration event.
- Workshops
As part of the workshop section, participants will have the opportunity to attend sessions focused on project management, academic career planning, and science communication:
“Project Under Control: Methods and Techniques of Management” – Małgorzata Jakubiak,
“Scientific Storytelling – How to Talk About Research Without Telling Fairy Tales” – Piotr Roszkowski,
“Academic Career – What Does It Really Mean?” – Anna Demner, Anna Balcerzak,
“What About Clickbait? Can Real Science Be Clickable?” – Łukasz Ziomek,
“On Science Communication – How to Start?” – dr Tatiana Witkowska.
- Mini-Lectures and Discussions on Science
At 4:00 PM in the Old Library building, a series of mini-lectures dedicated to the realities of academic work and the challenges of contemporary science will take place:
“Building Bridges, Shaping the University – The Role of Doctoral Candidates in the University of Warsaw Community” – Justyna Jaworska, Chair of the PhD Students’ Union of the University of Warsaw,
“The Use of AI in Science – Ethical Challenges” – dr Emilia Kaczmarek from the Faculty of Philosophy,
“Grant Applications Through the Eyes of Experts: How to Present Achievements and Research Plans” – prof. Grażyna Jurkowlaniec from the Faculty of Culture and Arts,
“When Things Don’t Go as Planned – A Dialogue on Failure in Science” – prof. Łucja Kowalewska from the Faculty of Biology and prof. Maciej Stolarski from the Faculty of Psychology.
To conclude the celebrations, the PhD Students’ Union of the University of Warsaw invites all doctoral candidates to an integration event starting at 6:00 PM at Pub Och i Ach.
Participants can look forward to a great atmosphere, conversations outside the academic setting, and an opportunity to celebrate the doctoral community together. Additionally, special discounts on the menu will be available exclusively for doctoral candidates on that day.
Registration for workshops and lectures is available at:
Registration Form
We warmly invite you to celebrate the European Doctoral Candidate Day together at the University of Warsaw!