University of Silesia in the service of society
University of Silesia in Katowice, responding to current social needs, conducts a number of research and development works in the context of increasing the possibilities and potential of every person, starting from childhood, through adolescence and adulthood, and ending at senior age.
These initiatives combine activities in the fields of health sciences, biological sciences, psychology, sociology, speech therapy, medical physics, biomedical engineering, management and art sciences, etc., and aim to support personal development at every stage of life, as well as to carry out scientific and dissemination activities in the field of social sciences.
An additional aspect of conducted social research is the current problems and characteristics of social behaviour in the context of epidemics, on the example of the COVID-19 pandemic, including: the impact of the pandemic on interpersonal relations, on education, on the labour market, as well as the context of religion and religiousness of citizens and its translation into compliance with restrictions and adaptation to new social rules.
Individual subject areas in the field of supporting human development:
– research on the effectiveness of the application in kindergartens of programmes based on the knowledge of neurodidactics, elements of alternative pedagogy (Montessori method, Reggio Emilia method, Waldorf pedagogy, Daltonian plan, adventure pedagogy – the so-called outdoor education, adventure education, flow learning by Joseph Cornell, etc.);
– conducting research in the field of diagnosing and verifying the effectiveness of art therapeutic activities;
– conducting research related to prevention, diagnosis and therapy of speech disorders, also in the form of prevention programmes, diagnostic tools, therapeutic intervention programmes, expert opinions on communication barriers, specialist diagnostics of speech disorders and communication science;
– diagnostics, creation of preventive and assistance programmes in the field of mental health tailored to individual needs of recipients with the use of new, innovative currents of psychological support, as well as assistance in life crises;
– psychological aspects of music education and functioning of musicians, with particular emphasis on exploring the possibility of using the model of psychological flexibility in preventive mental health care among musicians at different stages of the educational path;
– expert opinions and consultancy in the creation of commercial digital products (e.g. mobile applications or web platforms) using the model of psychological flexibility, dedicated to clients from artistic fields;
– physiotherapy – diagnosis of posture, balance, proprioception in human development, as well as posturological therapy of disturbed areas on the basis of individually selected exercise programmes. An additional aspect is the focus on elderly care and the development of interpersonal skills for older people, forms of leisure time organisation and occupational therapy for seniors;
– contract game testing and game design services; programmes using games and biofeedback for rehabilitation of cognitive functions, e.g. after COVID-19;
– new technologies/media/development tools – activities related to information architecture, usability of information spaces, design of digital products, information users;
– comprehensive usability studies of prototypes and implemented websites and mobile applications, as well as expertises including functional analysis, e.g. of websites with content targeted at young web users;
– broadly understood assistance to people with disabilities – support for patients with complex communication needs and their families in using alternative and supportive communication methods;
– expert support in the area of accessibility, preparation of easy-to-read texts.
University of Silesia in Katowice
ul. Bankowa 12, 40-007 Katowice
tel. +48 32/359 20 81, 359 22 71, 359 15 21
transfer@us.edu.pl
www.us.edu.pl
Co-financed by the programme „Social Responsibility of Science” of the Minister of Education and Science