Research Seminars 2012

Visiting scholar Dr hab. Jan Lencznarowicz, Associate Professor of the Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland delivered two research seminars:

1. "Political myths and social cohesion in an emigrant community: The case of the Polish Post-World War II emigration in the West".
2. "Immigration, politics, ideology and reality: A historical perspective on the Polish Diaspora"

The first seminar took place on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 from 12:30pm to 1:45pm in lecture theatre Q501 and was officially opened by Professor Peter Goodall, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice) and Dean, Faculty of Arts with an introduction provided by Dr Krzysztof Batorowicz, Director, Multicultural Centre.

The second research seminar was held on Wednesday, 15 February 2012 from 12:30pm - 2:00pm in Lecture Theatre, room E302, Building number 1 - at Forgan Smith Building, University of Queensland, St Lucia campus with an Introduction by Dr Krzysztof Batorowicz, Director, USQ Multicultural Centre.

Drawing on diverse historical sources produced by Polish emigrants in the West in the years 1944-1956, Jan Lencznarowicz presented some of the main political myths maintained in Polish emigrant communities, such as the myth of Poland’s betrayal at Yalta; the myth of heroic Polish contributions to the victory over Nazi Germany; and the myth of legalism – that is the continuation of legitimate Polish authorities in exile; as well as the myth of the emigrants’ mission in saving Poland. These myths fulfilled important social functions within the Polish post-war refugee communities in the West.  Special emphasis is placed on their integrating role. Despite organisational, political and ideological divisions, personal animosities and geographical scattering in many countries, these myths facilitated the ideological and social integration of a considerable part of the Polish Diaspora. 

Brief biographical note Dr Jan Lencznarowicz:

Jan Lencznarowicz, PhD is an associate professor at the Institute for American Studies and Polish Diaspora, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland. He has received a scholarship from Société Historique et Littéraire Polonaise (Paris); a Harry Gairey Visiting Fellowship at the Multicultural History Society of Ontario (Toronto); and a University of Adelaide Scholarship for Postgraduate Research (Adelaide). He has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Rochester, NY, and is now a member of the Research Committee on Migration of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw (appointed 2007); and a member of the Committee for Research on the Polish Diaspora at the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences, Kraków (since 2008).

Jan Lencznarowicz teaches courses on Polish political emigration after World War II, refugees in modern times, ethnic history of Europe, the history of Australia as well as immigration and ethnic relations in Australian history. In addition he gives courses on Polish history to foreign students.

His main areas of research are Polish political emigration in the 20th century; emigrants’ political myths and ideologies; and the policy of the Communist authorities towards a Polish diaspora. He is very interested in the history of Australia, Australian multiculturalism and the Polish ethnic group in Australia.

Jan Lencznarowicz is the author of three books in Poland and has published extensively in Polish. He has also completed a number of English language publications on Polish immigrants in Australia.