Interviewed by Sophie Papp, CSEEES Academic Year 2023-24 Intern

Dr. Agnieszka Poczta-Wajda is a visiting Fulbright Slavic Award recipient from the Poznań University of Economics and Business. Her research focuses on the issue of food security at the household level in developed countries. She has carried out scientific projects in the field of agricultural economics, especially the policy of supporting agriculture in highly developed countries, income deprivation of farmers, and liberalization of trade in agricultural products. Throughout her career, she has given lectures on macroeconomics and the economics of European integration. She intends to share her knowledge on these topics which are embedded in the context of the Polish economy and economic policy with our students. Dr. Poczta-Wajda kindly agreed to an interview with CSEEES intern Sophie Papp to talk more about her research and her time at Ohio State thus far.

You have conducted research at other international universities before – what inspired you to apply for Fulbright specifically at Ohio State? What do you hope to gain from your time here?
When I came across the Fulbright announcement for the position at Ohio State, I thought it might be worth trying something different this time, because The Fulbright Slavic Award centers around teaching. Rather than embarking on a research-focused stay, this time I will be imparting knowledge to others. I was intrigued by the presence of staff and students at The Ohio State University with a keen interest in Poland and its culture. I've resolved to contribute my insights into the Polish economy. The Fulbright program is not just about research, but about cross-cultural exchange, strengthening connections, and mutual understanding. A Fulbright scholar serves as a sort of ambassador for their country. Consequently, my time in Columbus will not only expand my research and teaching expertise, but also foster a richer cultural exchange.

How does Polish university culture differ from American university culture?
Polish universities are more hierarchical and formalized. In supervisor-subordinate relationships, we don't use first names but rather address each other by titles, such as professor, doctor, and so on. We also pay attention to appropriate attire. There is also a much greater distance between students and lecturers. Students are more reserved and less active in classes compared to their American counterparts. However, these differences are currently diminishing very quickly: for the past few years, an increasing number of students from countries around the world, including the United States, have been coming to Poland. This is because our studies are very competitively priced.

When it comes to the faculty, Polish researchers and lecturers are very busy. We have many more classes to teach, and for financial reasons, sometimes we also work outside the university. Unfortunately, this leaves little time for research. We are also less mobile; we often work at one university for our entire lives. Despite the hierarchy and formality, over time, our relationships with colleagues become close. In my department, they are even like family, which creates a very pleasant working environment.

Throughout your career, what differences have you noticed between American and European approaches to the discipline of economics?
American economic thought has been influenced by classical liberal traditions, emphasizing individual rights and free markets, and adopting a more skeptical approach to government intervention. European economic thought has been shaped by a combination of classical liberal ideas, social democracy, and historical experiences, resulting in a more diverse range of economic perspectives. European economists are more open to government intervention in the economy, and acceptance of a mixed-market economy is more prevalent. Social welfare policies and social democracy are more visible in certain European economic models. American economics often places a significant emphasis on individual decision-making, efficiency, and market outcomes, with less consideration for social issues. Therefore, the American approach to economics often emphasizes pragmatism and empirical orientation, with a strong emphasis on mathematical models and statistical analysis. The European approach can be more diverse, with some economists placing a greater emphasis on methodological diversity, including a more extensive consideration of historical and institutional perspectives.

On a broad scale, how is Polish economic policy representative (or not representative) of European economic policy and cultural values as a whole?
Poland has been a member of the European Union for 20 years now. This means that our economic policy strongly aligns with European policy. Some policies, such as agricultural policy, are exclusively conducted at the European Union level. However, the European Union is not only an economic union but also a community of shared values. While we take pride in our culture and traditions and actively preserve them, it does not preclude us from embracing European values. We are patriots, but nowadays, this means that we feel equally strong ties to being Polish and to being European. Within the European Union (specifically in the Schengen Zone), we have no borders; we can travel, work, shop freely, and live together. It's wonderful that within just one day I can have breakfast in Warsaw, go shopping in Paris, and meet friends in Barcelona in the evening.

Your current research focuses on household food insecurity in developed countries. What differences are there between European and American approaches to this problem? What do these approaches say about European and American values?
In Europe, we have a very high level of food security at the national level. Essentially, we are food self-sufficient. However, this can be deceiving, because national-level food security does not guarantee food security at the household or individual level. In Europe, this issue is often overlooked, both in research and in policy. I completely fail to understand why. Unfortunately, the limited research available indicates that, similar to in the United States, there are specific social groups in Europe in which this problem exists. Due to a lack of awareness of this issue, there is also a lack of systemic solutions. This is particularly perplexing because in Europe, we place great importance on the idea of the welfare state and social policy. The issue of food security is, to some extent, addressed through social assistance, but in my opinion, these solutions are not sufficient.