At the end of September 2026, experts from SWPS University contributed a specialized workshop on “Climate Action Across Disciplines: Management, Psychology And Education” to the international conference Cultural Crossroads: Heritage, Hybridity, and Horizons. The conference was co-organized by Contemporary Trends in Tourism and Hospitality (CTTH) and the Green Mundus Consortium, in Novi Sad, Serbia.
Management, Psychology, and Education in the Service of Climate Action
Designed around an interdisciplinary format, the workshop brought together perspectives from management, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibility, environmental psychology, and sustainability education to highlight practical implications for organizations and society.
The workshop was delivered by Alicja Kotłowska — Vice-Rector’s Representative for International Projects, Professor Karolina Mazurowska — Green Mundus Project Leader, and Dr. Justyna Berniak-Woźny from SWPS University’s Faculty of Interdysciplinary Studies in Kraków. These experts are currently developing the joint Master’s program, Green Mundus: Psychology of Climate Action, at SWPS University with support from an EU “Erasmus Mundus Design Measures” grant. The program will prepare future specialists to design and implement evidence-based pro-climate initiatives while engaging communities in sustainable development and social justice.
The workshop, which took place on September 24, 2026, featured three complementary presentations:
- Managing Climate Action: From ESG Regulation to Organizational Responsibility — Dr. Justyna Berniak-Woźny examined how regulatory frameworks and management practices move organizations beyond routine compliance toward active ecological responsibility. Drawing on research from Poland, the session underscored the critical relationship between organizational maturity, leadership, and effective climate governance.
- Psychology of Climate Action: From Attitudes to Behavior — Professor Karolina Mazurowska explored the psychological mechanisms shaping environmental decision-making, addressing the gap between climate awareness and actual behavior. Leveraging cross-cultural insights from the multi-country Green Mundus consortium, the presentation analyzed strategies for driving sustained behavioral change.
- Educating for Climate Action: Developing Green Skills in a Time of Polycrisis — Alicja Kotłowska focused on developing core sustainability competencies—including systems-thinking, strategic, interpersonal, normative, and anticipatory skills—and addressed how educational systems can tackle climate skepticism, misinformation, and complex global crises.
The session concluded with a moderated panel discussion on essential green skills for students and methods higher education institutions can use to cultivate these competencies while ensuring accessibility and sustainability.
Driving the Green Mundus Mission
SWPS University’s participation in the conference aimed to promote the vision of the Green Mundus: Psychology of Climate Action program and build a broader global network. To support the growth and practical reach of the degree, the team sought to engage key collaborators across three main sectors:
- Academic Collaborators and Guest Lecturers: Faculty members from other universities who can contribute expertise to the program curriculum or participate in joint research initiatives.
- Educational Partner Institutions: Universities and academic institutions that can provide the future Green Mundus program students with practical training, summer schools, and international internship opportunities.
- Industry Leaders and Employers: Companies and organizations active in the green job market that can offer practical training, internships, and direct employment pathways for future program graduates.
Additoinally, three academics from SWPS University’s Faculty of Psychology in Warsaw — Professor Krzysztof Krejtz, Dr. Joanna Roszak, and Zofia Maciąg presented their research papers at the conference.
Green Mundus Program Partners
- SWPS University SWPS (Poland) – project coordinator
- Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania)
- University of Paris 8 (France)
- University of Oslo (Norway)
Funding
