Fulbright Scholar from Poland visits CSUB for research

Dr. Agnieszka Kaczmarek is researching literature written by women mountain climbers

By California State University, Bakersfield

September 28^th, 2021

California State University, Bakersfield has a distinguished visitor on campus this semester.

Dr. Agnieszka Kaczmarek — an assistant professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa, Poland — has joined the English Department at CSUB and is conducting research here as part of the Fulbright Senior Scholar Program.

“This is a fantastic place to be,” she said. “CSUB gives me access not only to books, articles and databases, but also to the academic people here. It enriches my personal and professional experience.”

Although Dr. Kaczmarek won a Fulbright scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year, she was unable to come to CSUB this spring due to the spread of COVID-19. She arrived in July ahead of the fall semester.

Dr. Kaczmarek’s research focuses on American literature written by women mountaineers published during and after the 1960s sexual revolution as well as the social reception of female climbers in American mountaineering circles.

“There’s a huge difference between how female authors write about the mountaineering experience and how male authors write about climbing,” she said. “As mountaineering is a male-dominated sport, women’s way to a summit — literally and metaphorically — have looked different, taking into account social, economic and organizational factors.”

Dr. Kaczmarek said she’s also interested in exploring the differences between American and Polish literature.

“It’s not only about making comparisons and contrasts between Polish writers' and American writers’ experiences — it’s also comparing how they write about the same and similar topics,” she said.

One of the main reasons Dr. Kaczmarek wanted to come to CSUB was because it has access to the books, databases and other resources she needs for her research, either on the campus itself or through the CSU interlibrary loan system.

“I knew CSUB would be a perfect place to do research because if I couldn’t find a source at the Walter Stiern Library, I could get books from another campus,” she said.

Dr. Kaczmarek also had a prior connection to the university that made her feel more comfortable coming here. In 2018, she began working with Dr. Emerson Case, an English professor at CSUB, on the International Book Club, a partnership between the University of Applied Sciences and CSUB.

Through the club, authors from across the world come to CSUB to discuss their books.

“We’ve known each other for several years now, so it’s great to have her here in person. It’s great to have her in the English department,” Dr. Case said.

Dr. Case is one of a few faculty and staff members at CSUB who are advising Dr. Kaczmarek and providing her support during her time at the university, including Dr. Maria Palaiologou, Dr. Steve Frye, Yuri Sakamaki and Rebecca Penrose.

Dr. Kaczmarek’s visit is not only beneficial for her but for the university as well, Dr. Case said.

“It brings a lot to our students to have this opportunity to meet somebody from another country and get their unique perspective,” he said.

Dr. Kaczmarek is excited to be able to sit in on English classes and interact with faculty and students in addition to doing her research. She said she is eager to learn more about how higher education is done in the U.S.

“I can learn how you organize education here. I would like to apply some of your good ideas and solutions to my home institution,” she said. “I’m also here to improve my language skills.”

Dr. Kaczmarek will remain at CSUB through the end of the semester in December, after which she will return to Poland. She said she plans to share what she’s learned with other experts in her field, such as through writing articles and participating in conferences.

Dr. Kaczmarek said she is grateful to CSUB and the Fulbright program for the opportunity to make this trip to the U.S.

“When I found out that I had won the scholarship, I didn’t believe it at first,” she said. “The Fulbright program is very competitive in Poland and it’s very hard to get into it. To be rewarded for all the efforts that you’ve made on your academic path is amazing.”