Department of the Sociology of Politics and Morality

The Department of the Sociology of Politics and Moralality (KSPiM) at the University of Łódź evolved from the Department of Professional Sociology, founded in 1981 and subsequently reorganized as a Chair in 1993. Professor Stefania Dzięcielska-Machnikowska led the Department and Chair for eleven years, followed by Professor Danuta Walczak-Duraj. Since 2017, Professor UŁ Alicja Łaska-Formejster has served as head. A shift in faculty research interests led to the Department's renaming as KSPiM in 2003.

The Department's research and teaching activities encompass several key areas: axiological order; the politics of politicization; the sociology of work; health, illness, and medical sociology; gender studies, including the experiences of non-heteronormative individuals; the sociology of corporeality and social norms surrounding the body and sexuality, particularly within the context of ecclesiastical discourse on gender and institutional crises; the sociology of youth and young adults; and sociological research methodology. This methodological focus emphasizes research ethics and the effectiveness of various research tools, particularly qualitative methods.

Within the Department's focus on political sociology, faculty research examines institutional changes and processes within Poland's political and media systems, and their effects on socio-political divisions. The Department's Political Observatory focuses on the complex relationships between political organizations (including politicians and other actors pursuing political power), the media (traditional and interactive, including journalists, columnists, and diverse forms of political debate), and citizens (voters, social movements, and NGOs). Research methodologies employed include critical discourse analysis, cognitive analysis of social representations, and conversation analysis, as well as proxemic analysis of political communication, focused studies of changing political behaviors, and audio-visual analyses of communication techniques used by political actors. The Observatory promotes continuous, interdisciplinary collaborative research.

The Department also undertakes research projects in partnership with non-governmental organizations and public authorities, reflecting a commitment to engaged sociology and contributing actively to public policy development. This collaborative work includes projects addressing women's rights and reproductive rights—areas often characterized by strong public emotion and significant influence on political participation.