Student Research Club "Herbariusze UR"
The Student Research Club "Herbariusze UR" was established in the 2024/2025 academic year. It is an interdisciplinary initiative operating at the University of Rzeszów (UR), bringing together both domestic and international students from a wide range of academic disciplines, including social work, medicine, physiotherapy, emergency medical services, journalism, law, internal security, early childhood education, environmental protection, speech therapy, and public health. The club currently has 42 active members.
The club unites students who share an interest in herbalism, phytotherapy, and the use of plant-based raw materials in disease prevention and treatment. Its mission is to foster scientific curiosity, deepen practical knowledge, and promote awareness of the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants within and beyond the academic community. Notably, innovative applications of this knowledge are emerging in fields such as social work and various branches of medicine.
As part of its activities, club members have organized and co-organized a number of scientific and outreach events, including:
- International Scientific Conference titled “Herbalism in Disease Prevention and Therapy: Tradition and Modernity”, held on March 10, 2025. The event featured speakers from 7 countries, representing 19 universities and research institutions.
- International Scientific Conference titled “Herbal Horizons: Innovations in Herbalism and Health Protection”, held on May 5, 2025. The conference welcomed speakers from 4 countries, including representatives of 17 universities and research institutions.
- Scientific Lecture titled “Witch’s Ointment and Other Surprising Properties of Selected Plants”, delivered on May 27, 2025 by Marek Motyka, PhD from the Institute of Sociological Sciences. The lecture explored lesser-known and often surprising properties of medicinal plants, offering participants insights into their historical and cultural significance.
- Practical Workshop titled “What’s Growing on the Lawn at UR?”, held on June 5, 2025. This outdoor event allowed participants to discover wild-growing useful plant species, learn how to identify them, and understand their everyday applications. The workshop was led by Anna Witkowska-Paleń, PhD, the club’s supervisor, and lecturer at the Institute of Sociological Sciences.
On May 22, 2025, club members participated in a student field game organized by the Student Government of the University of Rzeszów. As part of the event, the “Herbariusze UR” Club prepared one of the game stations, a herbal challenge zone where participants demonstrated their knowledge of herbs by identifying them from photographs and matching their names to described uses.
Club members actively contribute to the university’s scientific life, promote knowledge about plants, and advocate for the sustainable use of natural resources. Their activities are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) strategy implemented at the University by the Rzeszów University Centre for Sustainable Development. Through both academic and practical initiatives, the club fosters integration within the academic community and nurtures botanical interests among undergraduate and postgraduate students.