ICGR 2026
9th International Conference on Gender Research
Biographies
Below are the ICGR Biographies of the Conference and Programme Chairs, Key Note Speakers and Mini-Track Chairs.
Conference and Programme Chairs
Wioleta Kucharska is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Management and Economics of the Gdansk University of Technology, Fahrenheit Universities Union, Poland. Her research recently focuses on agile mindset, leadership, and gender studies. She is also deeply scientifically involved in tacit knowledge and company culture studies. She recently introduced the Knowledge, Learning, and Collaboration cultures synergy (the KLC approach) and proved its impact on organizational intelligence. Recently, she also discovered the double bias of the mistakes phenomenon (the DBM) impact on organizational intelligence and noted that it is firmly gender related. Along with scientific achievements, she has 12 years of intensive managerial experience. Therefore, her work, in addition to theoretical foundations, actively refers to management practice. She was awarded the Scholarship of the Polish Ministry of Higher Education for the Best Young Scientists (2022-2025). She gained recognition from Elsevier, Wiley, Emerald, and Taylor & Francis for her publishing and reviewing activities. Recently, she was distinguished among the world’s TOP 2% SCIENTISTS in her field, according to Elsevier & Stanford University 2023 ranking released in 2024 (https://topresearcherslist.com). of the world’s Top 2% Scientists in her field, according to the esteemed ranking released by Elsevier and Stanford University in 2023.
Ewa Lechman is a Professor of Economics, employed at Faculty of Management and Economics Gdańsk University of Technology / Fahrenheit Universities Union. Her research interests concentrate on economic development, digital technologies and technological progress, and its role in reshaping social and economic systems, as well as economics of network and innovative financial instruments. Serves as permanent referee in more than 35 highly ranked academic journals. In 2013 Emerald Literati Network Award for Excellence winner; in 2017-2019 nominated by Elsevier as outstanding reviewer. In several years her academic track records contributed to University`s Elsevier Research Impact Leaders Award. Co-ordinated and participated in multiple research grants on digital technologies, social and economic development awarded by, inter alia, National Science Centre, CERGE-Global Development Network, National Bank of Poland, Stockholm Business School, United Nations for Development Program, EU-funds. An author and co-author of more than 120 papers and books. Serves as editor in Telecommunication Policy journal (Elsevier). A former Vice-Dean for development and PhD Program Director. Co-operated with ECSB, CEEMAN, BMDA, AMBA and Eurostat. Serveon the Advisory Board of the Gdansk Business Club. Currently co-director of Doctoral School at Gdansk University of Technology.
Julita Wasilczuk holds the associate professor of Entrepreneurship position at Gdańsk University of Technology / Fahrenheit Universities Union, Faculty of Management and Economics Poland. She is a member of international scientific associations: USASBE (in 2007-2008), since 2015: European Council of Small Business, where she serves as vice president for Poland. Since 2008, she has led the SEAS project (Survey on Entrepreneurial Attitudes of Students). She is a member of many scientific editorial boards of national and international journals, councils, and scientific committees of conferences. Author and co-author of more than 100 scientific publications, mainly in entrepreneurship (female entrepreneurship, Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation, non-productive entrepreneurship). She is a former Dean of the Faculty of Management and Economics in the terms of office: 2012-2016 and 2016-2020. Organiser and chairperson of the ENTIME international conference scientific council, which is organised frequently at the Faculty of Management.
Keynote Speakers
Dariusz Jemielniak is a Full Professor and head of the Management in Networked and Digital Environments (MINDS) department, Kozminski University, and faculty associate at Berkman-Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University. He serves as a vice president of the Polish Academy of Sciences and on the board of the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology). He conducted research at Cornell University, the University of California, Berkeley, and MIT, resulting in numerous prestigious publications on technology development-related topics, including the strategic application of AI in business and education, the Collaborative Society, disinformation, AI bias, and many others. He is an enthusiast for ethics and equality. He has recently published a comprehensive analysis of the Gender Gap in all academic fields over time, which will form the basis of his speech. Apart from his excellence in science, he is famous as a fantastic speaker. Please don’t miss the opportunity to meet him in Gdańsk!
Natasza Kosakowska-Berezecka is a Full Professor and Head of the Division of Cross-Cultural and Gender Psychology and co-head of the Protest Lab at the University of Gdańsk (Poland). Her primary area of research focuses on cultural cues that foster gender equality within societies worldwide. She also conducts research on the backlash against communal men and the universality of precarious manhood. Her work has been published in leading journals such as Social Psychological and Personality Science, European Journal of Social Psychology, Psychology of Men and Masculinities, and Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. Currently she is a Principal Investigator in two international projects: Towards Gender Harmony, in which more than 160 scholars from 62 countries have built a global consortium that collected data from over 30,000 participants across six continents to analyze contemporary understandings of masculinity and femininity (https://towardsgenderharmony.ug.edu.pl ) and EQUAMAN – project investigating the relationship between masculine norms & adolescent and adult men’s well-being. As a diversity & inclusion expert, she co-authored the Integrative Model for Migrants for the City of Gdańsk, Poland. In 2017, her research and scientific accomplishments have been acknowledged “as of unique value for social innovations, forward thinking in building diversity within business” by the jury of the Success Written with a Lipstick – competition awarding Polish women for their merits in building an innovative environment in different areas of business. In 2022, she was nominated as one of the most influential people in the Pomeranian region for her scientific contributions in the field of gender equality.
Natasza Kosakowska-Berezecka is a Full Professor and Head of the Division of Cross-Cultural and Gender Psychology and co-head of the Protest Lab at the University of Gdańsk (Poland). Her primary area of research focuses on cultural cues that foster gender equality within societies worldwide. She also conducts research on the backlash against communal men and the universality of precarious manhood. Her work has been published in leading journals such as Social Psychological and Personality Science, European Journal of Social Psychology, Psychology of Men and Masculinities, and Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. Currently she is a Principal Investigator in two international projects: Towards Gender Harmony, in which more than 160 scholars from 62 countries have built a global consortium that collected data from over 30,000 participants across six continents to analyze contemporary understandings of masculinity and femininity (https://towardsgenderharmony.ug.edu.pl ) and EQUAMAN – project investigating the relationship between masculine norms & adolescent and adult men’s well-being. As a diversity & inclusion expert, she co-authored the Integrative Model for Migrants for the City of Gdańsk, Poland. In 2017, her research and scientific accomplishments have been acknowledged “as of unique value for social innovations, forward thinking in building diversity within business” by the jury of the Success Written with a Lipstick – competition awarding Polish women for their merits in building an innovative environment in different areas of business. In 2022, she was nominated as one of the most influential people in the Pomeranian region for her scientific contributions in the field of gender equality.
Bianka Siwińska, PhD – a scientist, activist, and manager, is the President of the Perspektywy Education Foundation which is dedicated to supporting women in new technologies. She is the creator of the Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit – the largest event for women in STEM in Europe and Asia, with 10,000 participants annually. It is international climate-positive event supporting equity, inclusiveness and the overall collaboration. “What’s the most powerful tool in tech? And so enjoyable to use? Collaboration. The most beautiful things are built with it, aren’t they? Collaboration fosters mentorship, knowledge sharing, and inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. It transforms personal ambition into collective IMPACT. “The Power of Collaboration” – the motto of Summit 2025 – envisions a future where every idea is valued, women are empowered to lead and excel, and the boundaries of technology are redefined. Collaboration brings JOY and MEANING. It makes your place in the world truly worthwhile. Let’s make it happen. You & ME” – Bianka says https://womenintechsummit.pl/
Mini Track Chairs
Dr Frances Hamilton is an Associate Professor at the University of Reading Law School where she researches and teaches around the area of Gender Sexuality and the Law. She has a particular interest in tackling gender pay gaps and in this respect acted as lead editor in a recent book Hamilton, F. and Griffiths, E., eds. (2023) The evolution of the gender pay gap: a comparative perspective. Routledge.
Prof. Dr. Claudia Hess is a professor of Digital Transformation at IU International University of Applied Sciences. She teaches various distance learning courses on the application of artificial intelligence and data science, including their societal and ethical implications, as well as courses on digital transformation projects. Her research interests include ethical issues in using AI tools and increasing participation of girls and women in STEM fields. In addition to her teaching and research activities, she also works in industry as a consultant and coach.
Prof. Dr. Sibylle Kunz is a professor and head of study program of Media Computer Science at IU International University of Applied Sciences. She teaches various distance learning courses on digital media formats and augmented, mixed and virtual realities and is also co-author of IU’s XR Development & Design Study Program. Her research interests include ethical issues in using augmented and virtual environments as well as raising the number of girls and women in computer science.
Dr. Sílvia Donoso López is a gender expert at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM/CSIC) in Barcelona. She holds a PhD in Social Anthropology and a master’s degree in Gender and Equality Policies. She has extensive experience as a consultant on gender issues, and formulating and supervising public policies on equality. Among her main research interests, the integration of the gender dimension into research content (STEM).
Isabel Palomo-Domínguez holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Seville, distinguished with the Extraordinary Doctorate Award. She is an Associate Professor and senior researcher at Mykolas Romeris University, leading the “Post-digital Storytelling in favour of Gender Equality” (PSGENEQ) project. She is also Vice President of the Association of Spanish Scientists in the Baltics (ACEBaltic).
María Gracia Puga, is a Lawyer and DEI Consultant at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. She holds a Master’s Degree in Gender Studies and Citizenship, with a special mention in Public Policies. Since 2014, she has been working towards integrating gender mainstreaming into public policies, particularly through an intersectional approach. Among her main research interests, is the design and implementation of measures and strategies against gender-based violence in research environments.
Rūta Tamošiūnaitė holds a doctorate in Management, she is a faculty member at the Institute of Communication, Mykolas Romeris University. Rūta is a member of the International Communication Association (ICA), a leading academic association for communication research. Her research focus: technology-mediated communication.