On April 1st 2009 The Higher School of Pedagogy of the Society of Public Knowledge in Warsaw launched a scientific research project “Socially Responsible University”. The Project is subsidised under Operational Programme Human Capital, Priority IV: Tertiary education and science, Measure 4.2: Upgrading the qualifications of R&D personnel and raising awareness of the role of science in economic development.

Central aim of the „Socially Responsible University” project is to develop an innovative approach towards social services within four interdisciplinary working groups. Activities planned within the project are directed towards the scientists, experts in multiple sectors (non-governmental, public, business) and students.

„Socially Responsible University” project will be conducted between April 1st 2009 and April 30th 2011. Within the Project there are four interdisciplinary working groups dealing with social policy, social education, social economy and socially responsible business. Each group consists of scientists, experts and students. The groups work on the ongoing basis, summarising the results of their research during two-day scientific sessions and regional panels. The results of each group’s research will be published in a separate book.

The project assumes popularisation of the Western literature on social science. A series of 10 scientific books presenting different approaches towards issues associated with current social policy in the world will be translated and published.

A contest popularising knowledge about social science among young scientists and students will be another important part of the project. There will be a single edition of the contest, in two categories: content-related and photographic. Best pictures of the contestants will be presented during a mobile photographic exhibition in six Polish cities. The winners will be awarded some attractive cash prizes.

The main promotion and popularising tool of the project is an interactive portal www.spolecznieodpowiedzialni.pl. The portal provides support to the experts in the process of research publications development. Moreover it serves as a platform for view exchange for everyone interested in social responsibility issues.

All activities assumed by the project will be summarised during a three-day scientific conference featured by Polish and foreign experts.

The project „Socially Responsible University” aims to develop and popularise social science-based model solutions and link them with upgrading the qualifications of R&D personnel, initiate social science-based activating actions among students and integrate the academic community with practitioners and business.