Karolina Maria Kotkowska (Hess), PhD 

I'm a researcher in Esotericism and New Religious Movements. My main focus is on Central and Eastern Europe, especially Poland, although I also work on several related currents in a global context. My research is inter- and transdisciplinary, and my academic background reflects this diversity: I hold degrees in philosophy, sociology, ethnology, and pedagogy, and I defended my PhD in philosophy with honors. Specialization in both the humanities and social sciences allows me to combine methodologies necessary for studying complex cultural and religious phenomena.

In recent years, my work has focused primarily on reconstructing the history and ideas of the Polish Theosophical Society and related movements. The results of this research will appear in a series of monographs scheduled for publication between 2025 and 2027. Other publications, edited volumes, and current projects are listed in separate sections. I serve as an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Comparative Studies of Civilisations, Jagiellonian University.