Titular professor of the human sciences. A historian, working at the Institute of European Studies of the Jagiellonian University as well as the Cavalry Captain Witold Pilecki State University of Małopolska in Oświęcim and the Pilecki Institute in Warsaw. Completed his studies in history in 1989 at the University of Gdańsk (Faculty of History and Filology). In 1995 defended his PhD dissertation with honours. On the basis of the habilitation colloquium at the University of Gdańsk in 2002, he obtained a postdoctoral degree in human sciences in the field of history - modern history.
Completed two semesters of postgraduate studies in administration and management. In 2011, by the decision of the President of Poland, obtained the title of professor in the field of human sciences. Between 2008 and 2012 the director of the Institute of Political Science, and between 2012 and 2020 rector of  the Cavalry Captain Witold Pilecki State University of Małopolska in Oświęcim. Also served as Chairman of the Conference of Rectors of State Schools/Conference of Rectors of Public Vocational Universities. A scholarship holder of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in 1992–1993, completing a research stay at the Herder Institute and the University of Marburg. In 1996, he received a scholarship award from the Foundation for Polish Science. In 1996-1997 (in agreement with the Polish Parliament) a scholarship holder of the German Parliament in Bonn as part of itsinternship programme. From 2000 to 2002 a scholarship holder of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation while working at the University of Heinrich Heine in Düsseldorf and the Institute for Modern History in Munich. A participant in numerous national and international conferences, he has also conducted independent archival research and research in libraries. Author and co-author of 12 books and collective works and dozens of academic articles.