Agnieszka Kulesa

Labour, migration and social policies

Lead Social Sciences Researcher

Contact and social media:

Education:

PhD in Social Sciences, Warsaw School of Economics,

MA, Political Science, University of Wrocław

Languages:

Polish (native), English (fluent), French (intermediate), Russian (basic)

Agnieszka’s main research interests lie at the intersection of migration, labour markets, and lifelong education. She is particularly interested in the influence of policy shifts and wider social and technological transformations, such as the green transition and digitalisation, on human mobility, employment and learning. With over 15 years’ experience in research, policy analysis, and project management, she has led numerous projects examining these dynamics and their real-world impact.

Agnieszka has worked at CASE since 2018, first as an economist and then as Vice-President of the Management Board from 2021 to 2024. In this role, she has overseen the implementation of projects, contributed to business development, and led teams of experts. She has worked on topics such as migration and labour market integration, basic skills development, and just transition. She is also the author or co-author of numerous publications, ranging from peer-reviewed journal articles to policy reports commissioned by European institutions.

Earlier in her career, Agnieszka worked at the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM). From 2010 to 2014, while working at the Ministry of the Interior, she coordinated Poland’s participation in the Prague Process and represented the country in the EU’s High-Level Group on Asylum and Migration. She also served in the Presidency Corps during Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU in 2011. Subsequently, she collaborated with the University of Warsaw and the Stockwell Partnership in the UK on projects supporting the labour market integration of Polish immigrants in London. She has also worked with Ecorys and the Institute of Public Affairs.

Agnieszka holds a PhD in Social Sciences from the Warsaw School of Economics and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Wrocław.

Related Works:

All author's works

Capacity building for local and regional authorities in the light of the Ukraine Facility (Pillar III)

The report “Capacity building for local and regional authorities in the light of the Ukraine Facility (Pillar III)” presents a comprehensive analysis of support for Ukrainian local and regional author

Labour, Migration and Social Policies

Exploring the Entrepreneurial Potential of Belarusian Migrants in the EU

This Working Paper aims to deepen the understanding of Belarusian migration to the EU, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship among Belarusian migrants.

Trade & Macro

CASE Working papers

180th mBank-CASE Seminar Proceedings: BNPL: Buy Now Pay Later. Deferred Payment– An Established Idea Gaining Traction

The publication examines the growing popularity and implications of the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) financial model in Poland and globally. It features expert analyses and discussions from a seminar held on March 14, 2024, including insights from key players like PayPo, PKO BP, and the Credit Information Bureau (BIK). The publication focuses on: BNPL Evolution and Success: Originating in Sweden, BNPL has transformed global online shopping, offering deferred payment options as an alternative to credit cards. Poland's BNPL market, still in its infancy, shows rapid growth due to firms like PayPo, Twisto, and Allegro Pay. Comparison with Credit Cards: Unlike credit cards, BNPL offers simpler, targeted transactions that resonate with younger demographics and more women. It avoids the complexities and high fees associated with traditional credit cards, fostering higher adoption rates. Polish Market Dynamics: By the end of 2023, nearly 2 million Poles had used BNPL, representing 12% of active borrowers. PayPo leads the market with innovative features, while PKO BP introduces seamless banking integration for deferred payments. Challenges and Growth Potential: Despite its success, establishing a universal BNPL business model remains challenging. However, its consumer-centric approach signals continued growth, especially as it aligns with modern purchasing behaviors. The report provides a nuanced understanding of how BNPL reshapes financial landscapes, blending fintech innovation with traditional banking.

Fiscal Policies and Growth

mBank – CASE Seminar Proceedings

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