Dr Łukasz Wirkus of the Institute of Pedagogy was awarded the Honorary Badge for Merit to the Administration of Justice by the Minister of Justice, Waldemar Żurek. The award ceremony, presided over by Maria Ejchart, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, took place on 25 June 2026.
The Honorary Badge for Merit to the Administration of Justice is a unique distinction awarded for achievements in strengthening the principles of a democratic state governed by the rule of law, shaping legal culture and ensuring the proper functioning of the administration of justice.
‘The fact that the Minister of Justice has awarded me the Honorary Medal for Services to the Administration of Justice proves that it is worthwhile to be guided by principles in one’s professional life, and that service to society need not go unnoticed or be underappreciated,’ comments dr Łukasz Wirkus. ‘This honour shows that conducting academic research and working in the field of social rehabilitation are perfectly complementary.’
Dr Łukasz Wirkus works as an assistant professor at the Department of Social Pathology and Rehabilitation at the Institute of Pedagogy, University of Gdańsk. At the University of Gdańsk, he teaches students of pedagogy, social work and criminology. He also has many years of practical experience as a probation officer – a specialist in family and juvenile matters at the District Court in Słupsk; he is a member of the Main Council for Social Reintegration and Assistance to Convicts for the seventh term, and a lecturer at the National School of the Judiciary and Public Prosecution. He is the author of several dozen publications in the field of rehabilitation pedagogy and the methodology of probation officers’ work.
‘I am currently conducting research into the specific nature of the relationship between probation officers and foreign nationals. I have undertaken an analysis of the relationship with ‘the other’ in a multidimensional reality, based on axiological, praxeological and epistemological dimensions.’
What role does pedagogy play in this?
‘In my view, the academic discipline of pedagogy plays an important role not only in ‘building bridges’ wherever disputes, misunderstandings and other critical situations arise. Pedagogy also has a mission to create effective and interdisciplinary solutions to social problems at the intersection of the justice system and public education. From a properly understood pedagogical perspective, the justice system should also be a space for assessment, support, rehabilitation, child protection, rebuilding relationships and combating exclusion.
That is why pedagogy must see beyond what is immediately apparent in a given situation. This is the task facing me and the entire community of Polish educators. Thanks to pedagogy, the justice system can help us see not only the act or the problem, but above all the broader context of the child’s or adult’s living environment.’
The 1st National Forum of Probation Centres, coordinated by dr Łukasz Wirkus, was dedicated to issues concerning effective probation support for minors. The event took place at the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk in April this year.
