Excellenceair Podcast

#18 From First Words to Infinite Meanings, dr Michael Pleyer

Our guest today is dr Michael Pleyer, a linguist and researcher at the Center for Language Evolution Studies at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. His research has focused on two fundamental questions: how language evolved and how it is acquired. He studies the cognitive and social mechanisms behind the emergence of language, as well as the role of perspective-taking and pretend play in children's language development. Dr. Pleyer is currently leading an OPUS project exploring polysemy — how words develop multiple meanings and what this reveals about the evolutionary dynamics of language.

#17 A Quantum Flight Across Science, dr hab. Katharina Boguslawski

Our today’s guest is prof. Katharina Boguslawski, a quantum chemist, whose research combines chemistry, physics, mathematics and applied computer science.  Before joining Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń in 2016, she gained international research experience in Zurich and Canada, and since then she has built an impressive scientific career supported by prestigious grants, including NCN, NCBiR, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and an ERC Starting Grant. Today, she leads her own research group at the Institute of Physics at NCU, where her team works on advancing modern quantum-chemical methods.

#16 The Hidden Power of Meetings, dr hab. Krzysztof Celuch, prof. NCU

Our today’s guest prof. Krzysztof Celuch - a speaker, a trainer, a business consultant, an academic lecturer and an entrepreneur. His professional relationship with NCU has its roots at the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management. Dr Celuch is an academic whose career circles around meetings industry, event marketing and management. His expertise is built on knowledge in economics, business psychology, sociology, marketing and cultural studies.

#15 Mind Over Climate, dr Adrian Wójcik, prof. NCU

Our guest today is prof. Adrian Wójcik, whose research sits at the intersection of social psychology and environmental issues. He’s professionally connected with the Faculty’s of Philosophy and Social Sciences Institute of Psychology. His academic interests circle around the matters of the psychological roots of environmental attitudes, looking at how identity, beliefs, political orientation, and even national narcissism can shape our responses to climate change and ecological policies. Prof. Wójcik is particularly interested in how social identity influences support for — or resistance to — environmental action.

#14 Innovation Above All, Dr Eng. Cezary Odrzygóźdź

Our guest today is dr. Cezary Odrzygóźdź - he holds a PhD in biological sciences, he is the president of a Foundation, which promotes education and science both locally and nationwide. As an enthusiast of science popularization, he hosts the popular science podcast “Faceci w Kitlach”. Since January 2025, he has been the head of the Center for Academic Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer at Nicolaus Copernicus University.