Katarzyna Wojnicka

Associate Professor of Sociology and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sociology and Work Science, as well as the Centre for European Research (CERGU) at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Beyond teaching and research, I also serve as the Editor-in-Chief for NORMA: International Journal for Masculinity Studies. In 2023, I was honored to receive the Emma Goldman Award, funded by the Flax Foundation—a moment that marked a significant milestone in my academic journey. But let me backtrack a bit because the road that led me here has been as multifaceted as the topics I study.

From Kraków to Gothenburg: a European academic Odyssey

I began my academic adventure in sociology and gender studies in Poland and Spain – an education that shaped my intellectual lens and introduced me to diverse ways of thinking about gender, society, and power. My PhD, defended at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, was focused on men’s social movements in Poland—a topic that became a gateway to my lifelong engagement with critical studies on men and masculinities. Since then, I’ve held postdoctoral research positions at some of Europe’s most dynamic academic institutions, including the University of Leeds (UK), Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany), and, of course, the University of Gothenburg (Sweden). I’ve also worked as a Senior Researcher at DeZIM (Deutsches Zentrum für Integrations- und Migrationsforschung) and as a Project Manager and Research Associate at Dissens—Institut für Bildung und Forschung e.V., both in Berlin, Germany. 

Critical studies on men and masculinities and I

I’ve dedicated much of my career to advancing critical studies on men and masculinities, with a particular focus on migration, integration, and social movements. Back in Poland, I founded the country’s first university course on the sociology of masculinities—a proud moment that still resonates with me. I’m also the co-editor of Karuzela z mężczyznami. Problematyka męskości w polskich badaniach społecznych (The Carousel of Men: Masculinity in Polish Social Research), one of the first sociological books in Poland devoted to men and masculinities. Beyond that, I’ve contributed to several special issues on men and masculinities research in Europe and beyond, and I’ve co-edited two additional books on sociology and gender-related topics. With over 70 scientific articles, book chapters, and reports to my name, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to a field that’s constantly evolving, challenging assumptions, and opening new doors for understanding.

My current research focuses on critical studies of men and masculinities, social movements, migration studies, and European studies. Over the years, I’ve worked on more than a dozen research projects centered on gender and masculinities, many of which have pushed the boundaries of what we know about these topics. From exploring the concept of protective masculinities to analyzing masculinity narratives among migrant men, my work aims to not only understand but also challenge the norms and structures that define modern masculinities.

Mężczyznologia: a new chapter(s)

This year, I’m particularly excited to announce the publication of my new book, Mężczyznologia, which is published by PWN, one of Poland’s leading academic publishing houses. The book offers a deep dive into the sociology of masculinities, exploring how men navigate cultural, social, and emotional borders in a rapidly changing world. It’s a project that’s been years in the making and one that I hope will inspire new conversations about men, masculinities and society in Poland and beyond.

And why does it matter?

If there’s one thing my academic journey has taught me, it’s that the study of masculinities is far from niche—it’s central to understanding the broader dynamics of power, inequality, and change. Whether it’s through the lens of migration, social movements, or everyday interactions, masculinities shape and are shaped by the world we live in. As I continue this journey—teaching, researching, writing, and collaborating—I’m driven by a simple but profound goal: to better understand how gender shapes human experiences and, in doing so, to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive world.