Equal opportunities at University

The University of Warsaw develops a multi-level support system addressed to various groups within the academic community, including students, doctoral candidates, and employees—both academic and administrative staff. These solutions are complementary in nature and respond to diverse needs arising from different career stages, professional roles, and individual challenges associated with functioning in an academic environment. Support is provided both at the central level and through faculty-based initiatives, allowing for the combination of uniform institutional standards with flexibility adapted to local contexts.

Support measures are initiated already at the stage of application for studies, doctoral programmes, or employment. Detailed information in this regard is available on our Equal opportunities in recruitment webpage.

A key component of this system consists of mentoring activities, including initiatives addressed specifically to doctoral candidates as well as project-based and developmental mentoring programmes. Their aim is to strengthen competencies, foster networking, and support long-term academic and professional development. In parallel, bottom-up and faculty-level initiatives operate alongside these programmes, promoting experience-sharing and community integration without excessive formalisation.

More information about the Networking Group for Women PhD Candidates at the University of Warsaw can be found here, and details on mentoring programmes at the University are available here.

Bottom-up initiatives implemented at faculties and other University units are presented in the 2025 summary of good practices.

Development-oriented support is complemented by counselling and specialist assistance, including psychological support and anti-discrimination mechanisms. These measures aim to ensure a safe and inclusive working and learning environment, as well as to enable appropriate responses to situations involving violations of rights or threats to the well-being of members of the academic community. Clearly defined reporting procedures and access to information on available forms of protection play a crucial role in this context.

More information about psychological support at the University can be found on the website of the Psychological Support Centre, while information on support in cases of inappropriate or unwanted behaviour is available on our dedicated webpage. Support for persons with disabilities can be found on BON website.

At the relational and community level, a significant role is played by peer-support networks—both formal and informal—as well as support groups and community-based initiatives. These activities foster a sense of belonging, strengthen solidarity, and create spaces for non-hierarchical exchange of experiences. They complement institutional support by addressing needs that may not always be fully met through formal structures.

The University currently hosts a club for neurodivergent individuals as well as a support group for LGBTQ+ students (both are held in Polish).

All of these activities are embedded within the broader institutional coherence of the University of Warsaw and are linked to the implementation of equality policies, the Gender Equality Plan, and the Rector’s ordinances in force. The support system therefore does not operate in isolation from the University’s strategic framework, but constitutes one of the instruments for implementing its adopted values and commitments related to equal treatment, inclusivity, and institutional responsibility.

Strategic documents and legal acts related to equality and diversity at the University are available in our library.