In May 2015, at the initiative of Dr hab. Ewelina Waśko-Owsiejczuk, the Political Science Students’ Association was established, bringing together students of the International Relations programme. The aim of the initiative was to create a platform for discussion, enable students to develop their knowledge and skills, and facilitate cooperation with experts and fellow students sharing similar interests. In 2023, the Association adopted a new name — the International Relations Students’ Research Association (KNSM).
The Association carries out dozens of initiatives, including lectures, student debates, discussion meetings, workshops, and training sessions. In addition, its members regularly publish articles in the journal Myśl Suwerenna. In 2025, the Association organised a nationwide academic conference entitled “80 Years after World War II: Law and Politics in the Face of Global Transformations”. In 2024, it organised the Student–Doctoral Academic Conference “The Far or the Near East?” and the International Student–Doctoral Academic Conference “The World in the Face of the War in Ukraine”.
Members of the Association actively participate in university life, engaging in events such as Open Days at the University of Bialystok, promotional initiatives including “Study at UwB”, and the “Perspektywy” Secondary School Graduates’ Fair. They also support the Faculty in organising events, including the academic conference “The Dronisation of Armed Forces and Services — Challenges and Realities in the World and in Poland”.
The Association has achieved numerous successes, including first place in the Pre-KRON competition organised by the UwB Student Parliament in 2025, as well as victories in the “ŻUwBerki” plebiscite in the categories “Most Active Student Organisation” (2024 and 2025) and “Best Academic Conference” (2024).
Moreover, members of the Association participate as volunteers in national and international conferences, including Defence24 Days — the largest defence and security conference in Central and Eastern Europe — as well as Cyber24 Day, one of the most important cybersecurity events in Poland.
The activities of KNSM also include numerous international trips. These include participation in the European Youth Event in Strasbourg (2023 and 2025) and in Vilnius (2024), as well as regular involvement in short-term Blended Intensive Programmes within the Erasmus+ framework in European Union countries.
The Association has cooperated with a wide range of companies, institutions, and organisations, including the Polish International Studies Association (Białystok Branch), Defence24.pl, the Sovereign Institute, the Sybir Memorial Museum, the Important Matters Foundation, as well as the Mayor of the City of Białystok, the Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, and the Podlaskie Voivode.
Board
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President — Maciej Marcinkiewicz
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Vice-President — Damian Kindziuk
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Vice-President — Mikołaj Sawko
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Secretary — Michał Magnuszewski
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Promotion Coordinator — Joanna Andrejuk
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Academic Supervisor of KNSM — Dr Paweł Szadkowski
Contact: knsm@uwb.edu.pl
