Julia Ziółkowska is a human geographer with a PhD in Human Geography and Spatial Planning, and a strong interdisciplinary foundation in tourism management and sustainable development. Her research explores the role of social capital, small-scale entrepreneurship, and community engagement in driving local and regional sustainability. Julia has expertise in mixed-methods research and qualitative case study analysis. Beyond academia, Dr Ziółkowska brings extensive experience in cross-sector collaboration, including project management roles with the Motus Foundation and the Baltic Ports Organization. She has contributed to national and international research initiatives, including Horizon project applications, and serves as a member of the SEA-EU expert group on microcredentials, working with partners across nine European countries.