The Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University

University Social Responsibility (USR) is the concept that universities should engage with society and the environment. This includes various aspects such as:

- Sustainability: seeking to minimise its impact on the environment by implementing sustainable practices such as energy conservation, recycling and promoting green solutions. Sustainable development is closely linked to the 2030 Agenda, which is implemented by United Nations (UN) member states and involves development based on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They address social, economic as well as environmental issues, each focusing on a particular area of sustainable development. You can read more about the SDGs on the official website of the UN Information Centre in Warsaw: www.un.org.pl.

- Education and research: conducting research and offering educational programmes that contribute to solving social and environmental problems.

- Community engagement: working with local communities, NGOs and other institutions to support social and economic development.

- Ethics and responsibility: promoting ethical values and responsibility among its staff and students, encouraging fairness, equality and respect for others.

Social responsibility and sustainable development are important concepts that organise socio-economic life. As an important academic, research and teaching centre, we want to implement and demonstrate how to put socially responsible and sustainable development activities into practice. We understand social responsibility as taking responsibility for one's own decisions and their impact on society and the environment. Therefore, like many other universities in Poland, the University of Łodz signed the Declaration of Social Responsibility of the University, committing itself to implement pro-environmental and pro-social activities.

The Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University

Reporting and supporting ESG-based management

The Team identifies needs, proposes actions and recommends guidelines for various units of the University of Lodz on implementing internal solutions related to university social responsibility and sustainable development. They give opinions on current regulations at the university in terms of social responsibility principles and suggest new provisions to guide the university’s growth based on the sustainable development goals—environmental (E), social (S) and governance (G) issues. The Team initiates pro-environmental and equality-driven actions and implements solutions to improve the daily operation of the university as a socially responsible institution. They supervise the reporting on the achievement of sustainable development goals and the 2030 Agenda. They gather and analyse data, measure progress and present results in these areas. The Team supervises the implementation of the Gender Equality Plan (GEP). They coordinate the work of:

1. The University of Lodz Rector's Representative for Equal Treatment and the Rector's Respresentative for Climate and Environmental Issues, as well as their advisory boards:
2. The Equality Council,
3. The Climate and Environmental Policy Council. They also organise work of the Research Ethics Committee.

Promoting science, culture and social issues

The team of the centre plays a key role in promoting science and research at the University of Lodz, embracing the principles of social responsibility. In order to reach diverse audiences and broaden the impact of popularisation efforts, they combine science with art where appropriate, running Art & Science projects. They work closely with student organisations, art universities, cultural institutions and NGOs in this area. They help raise awareness of culture and social responsibility within the academic community and the wider public . The Team initiates and manages projects that bring together different communities and groups around important sustainable development issues. They organise events that promote science both at the university and at partner institutions: cultural, municipal, scientific and more. They plan and deliver open lectures, science demonstrations and science festivals. They prepare articles, podcasts and videos for the university’s communication channels, including social media, to share research outcomes, scientific achievements and profiles of university researchers with the wider community. They build relationships with local and national organisations to jointly promote science and inspire younger generations to pursue academic careers. They provide support to students, doctoral students and researchers in their science outreach efforts by organising training in scientific communication and hosting competitions for the best science popularisation projects. They apply for grants, enabling the university to obtain additional funds for science promotion and projects that blend science with culture. They coordinate the organisational and promotional activities related to the the Award of the First Rector of the University of Lodz, Professor Tadeusz Kotarbiński for an outstanding piece of work in the field of humanities.

Cooperation with the external environment and alumni

Building and Maintaining Relationships with the Socio-Economic Environment:

1. Establishing and nurturing a network of contacts with social, economic, business partners and public institutions.
2. Fostering long-term, multi-faceted cooperation with strategic partners.
3. Creating innovative solutions and new forms of cooperation with the external environment.
4. Promoting the university’s activities (seminars, conferences) among alumni and other stakeholders.

Alumni Programmes:

1. Building connections with exceptional alumni, experts, successful professionals and personalities from various fields such as science, art, politics and business. The programme offers diverse opportunities for involvement and valuable initiatives for advancing Polish education, including coordinating nominations for “ VIP Alumnus.”
2. Organising Expert Lectures featuring te University of Lodz alumni.

The University of Lodz Mentorship Project

1. involving outstanding University of Lodz alumni in supporting the scientific and professional development of the university’s most talented students.
2. Coordinating the project: recruiting students and mentors, promoting the programme, organising student training sessions and offering ongoing support for both students and mentors.

The UL Alumni Card

1. Securing partners and expanding the university’s discount programme.
2. Maintaining regular communication with alumni through the website (Alumni Zone), newsletters and social media.
3. Managing the UL Alumni mobile app.

Cooperation with the economy:

1. Establishing strategic partnerships with large corporations, external partners and SMEs from key sectors.
2. Integrating business into the educational proces – initiating or supporting faculties in offering practical education that aligns with the needs of employers, involving entrepreneurs, managers and specialists in the process.
3. Building long-lasting national and international partnerships with commercial companies, public sector bodies and other organisations.

Management and organisation of the Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University office in the administrative and financial area:

1. Processing and issuing invoices as well as internal documents.
2. Overall activities related to managing the unit's budget.
3. Handling e-mails sent to wspolpraca@uni.lodz.pl , maintaining the unit's calendar and coordinating information flow.
4. Ensuring the smooth operation of the office.