postdoctoral researcher at Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej, Poland.
🌍Anna Prokopiak is an established expert in special education, particularly focused on autism spectrum disorders. Her academic journey spans a postdoctoral degree in pedagogy, a doctoral dissertation on sexuality in youth with intellectual disabilities, and a master’s in special pedagogy. She has dedicated her career to researching and providing education on autism, contributing significantly to the field. Prokopiak is a recognized leader in autism spectrum research, with practical applications through the Alpha Foundation, which she founded. Her work emphasizes inclusive education, therapy, and the empowerment of individuals with autism, making her a fitting candidate for the Cutting-Edge Phenomenological Research Award.
Profile👤
Education 🎓
🎓Anna Prokopiak holds a postdoctoral degree in pedagogy (2021) from the University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, based on her monograph on autism spectrum autonomy. She earned her Ph.D. in 2010, focusing on the sexuality of youth with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, she completed her Master’s in Special Pedagogy (1996) and has specialized training in the education of children with disabilities. Her education is grounded in both theory and practical applications in special pedagogy, enriching her research and teaching roles.🎓
Experience
🩺With extensive experience in teaching and therapy, Anna has worked across various institutions and led numerous educational initiatives. She teaches courses on autism spectrum disorders, provides postgraduate education, and offers consultations in autism therapy. As president of the Alpha Foundation, she has led the Autism Therapy Center, serving over 400 families. Anna has worked in both educational and clinical settings, offering lectures, conducting research, and supervising projects related to autism and disabilities. She has also participated in numerous national and international conferences and projects.👨🔬🌍
Research Interests 🔬
🔬Anna’s research primarily focuses on autism spectrum disorders, inclusive education, and the social and emotional development of children with disabilities. Her monograph on the autonomy of persons with autism spectrum disorders has been a key contribution to the field. Anna investigates the psychological and social needs of children with autism, examining the roles of sexuality, inclusion, and emotional growth in their development. Her work integrates both theoretical foundations and practical methodologies for early intervention, revalidation, and family support, ensuring a holistic approach to autism education.🌿🧪
Awards and Honors 🏆
Anna Prokopiak has earned recognition for her pioneering work in autism education and therapy. She has contributed significantly to projects funded by the European Social Fund, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and various international research initiatives. Notably, her leadership in developing the Polish model of education for children with autism, along with her international collaborations, has received wide acknowledgment. She was a member of several councils for disability support in Lublin and has earned numerous honors for her advocacy work in special education.
Conclusion 
Anna Prokopiak is undoubtedly deserving of the Cutting-Edge Phenomenological Research Award. Her substantial contributions to the field of autism spectrum disorders, particularly through her academic and practical work, provide a solid foundation for further development in phenomenological research. Her innovative, person-centered approach to autism makes her a transformative figure in the field, and this award would serve to recognize her invaluable work while encouraging even greater contributions to the phenomenological understanding of autism.
Publications Top Notes 
Robot-assisted autism therapy (RAAT). Criteria and types of experiments using anthropomorphic and zoomorphic robots. Review of the research
Authors: B Szymona, M Maciejewski, R Karpiński, K Jonak, …
Citations: 33
Year: 2021
Autonomia osób ze spektrum autyzmu: Predyktory psychospołeczne
Authors: A Prokopiak
Citations: 18
Year: 2020
Wychowanie dziecka z zaburzeniami ze spektrum autyzmu
Authors: A Prokopiak
Citations: 13
Year: 2014
Uczeń z autyzmem
Authors: A Prokopiak
Citations: 8
Year: 2017
Koncepcja projektowania uniwersalnego w edukacji
Authors: D Chimicz, A Prokopiak
Citations: 6
Year: 2021
ABAS-3–an instrument for assessing adaptive skills in people with an intellectual disability
Authors: A Prokopiak, J Kirenko
Citations: 6
Year: 2020
Mediating role of lack of support for the relationship between extraversion and sense of loneliness in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and parents of children with intellectual disabilities
Authors: T Gosztyła, A Prokopiak
Citations: 5
Year: 2019
Autyzm i rodzina
Authors: A Prokopiak, Z Palak
Citations: 4
Year: 2023
Poczucie osamotnienia u rodziców dzieci z zaburzeniem ze spektrum autyzmu oraz dzieci z niepełnosprawnością intelektualną
Authors: T Gosztyła, A Prokopiak
Citations: 4
Year: 2017
Radzenie sobie ze stresem a rozwój potraumatyczny rodziców dzieci ze spektrum autyzmu
Authors: T Gosztyła, A Prokopiak, J Pasternak
Citations: 3
Year: 2019
Autyzm a odżywianie. O czym nauczyciel wiedzieć powinien
Authors: A Prokopiak
Citations: 3
Year: 2015
Autonomy of people with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: A Prokopiak
Citations: 2
Year: 2023
Autism in extreme models of understanding disability
Authors: A Prokopiak
Citations: 2
Year: 2021
Rozwój społeczny a autonomia osób ze spektrum autyzmu
Authors: A Prokopiak
Citations: 2
Year: 2021