Understanding the Significance of the Fulbright Senior Award in Poland
Recognizing the shifting dynamics of international law requires access to cutting-edge academic research. Recently, Dr hab. Błażej Kuźniacki, a Professor at Lazarski University, was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Senior Award. This distinction, granted for the 2026/2027 academic year, places him as the sole recipient in the field of legal sciences from Poland for this cycle. For aspiring legal professionals and current students, this achievement highlights the caliber of legal research conducted at Lazarski University and underscores the institution’s role in shaping global legal discourse.
The Fulbright Program, established in 1946 by the United States government, remains one of the most recognized international scholarship programs globally. With nearly 80 years of history, it has facilitated academic cooperation and educational exchange for almost 450,000 participants. Its alumni network includes Nobel Prize laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and leading diplomats. Earning a placement in this program requires a rigorous selection process that evaluates not only past scholarly achievements but also the potential global impact of the proposed research.
For students considering where to pursue their legal education, the presence of Fulbright scholars on the faculty serves as a strong indicator of a university’s academic rigor. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how studying alongside distinguished faculty can shape your legal career.
Investigating the Intersection of International Investment and Tax Law
Professor Kuźniacki’s Fulbright Senior Award project focuses on a highly specialized and increasingly critical area of law: the friction between international investment treaties and state tax sovereignty. His research, titled “International Investment Treaties: A Harmful Restriction on State Tax Sovereignty or Protection Against the Abuse of Taxing Powers?” examines how international agreements designed to protect foreign investors impact a state’s ability to exercise its taxing powers.
Historically, international investment law and domestic tax law have operated in separate spheres. However, as global capital flows have increased, these two domains frequently collide. When a state changes its tax policies—perhaps to close loopholes, implement environmental taxes, or respond to economic crises—foreign investors sometimes interpret these changes as discriminatory or expropriatory. This leads to complex legal disputes known as investor-state dispute settlements (ISDS).
Professor Kuźniacki’s work investigates whether these international investment treaties unduly restrict a state’s sovereign right to govern its own economy and tax system, or if they function as a necessary check against the arbitrary or abusive use of taxing powers by governments. This question is at the forefront of contemporary legal research, requiring scholars to synthesize complex treaty law, arbitration precedents, and domestic fiscal policies.
The United States as a Strategic Case Study
A particularly compelling aspect of this legal research is its focus on the United States. The US presents a unique paradigm in international investment arbitration. Statistically, the United States has never lost an international investment arbitration case. Simultaneously, US investors initiate arbitration proceedings against other states more frequently than investors from any other country.
This dichotomy raises significant questions about how the United States utilizes international investment treaties as a tool for strategically positioning its economy in the global marketplace. For law students and legal researchers, analyzing the US model provides invaluable insights into how treaty drafting, legal strategy, and economic policy intersect. Understanding why the US consistently succeeds in these disputes offers practical lessons for lawyers representing sovereign states or multinational corporations in cross-border disputes.
Connecting Research to Global Tax Developments
The implications of Professor Kuźniacki’s research extend far beyond the arbitration room. The relationship between international law and domestic tax systems is currently being tested by several major global economic shifts. Legal professionals must understand how international investment frameworks interact with these new realities.
First, the implementation of a global minimum tax—spearheaded by the OECD’s Inclusive Framework—seeks to curb tax competition among nations. As countries amend their domestic tax codes to comply with these global pillars, questions will inevitably arise about whether such changes violate the legitimate expectations of foreign investors protected under older bilateral investment treaties.
Second, the rise of digital services taxes presents another frontier of conflict. Nations attempting to tax the digital economy often face pushback from tech giants and their home countries, leading to threats of trade disputes and investment claims. Researching how investment treaties can be used to challenge or defend these digital tax policies is highly relevant for modern tax lawyers.
Finally, the global energy transition requires massive state intervention, including subsidies for green energy and increased taxes on carbon emissions. These policy shifts, while environmentally necessary, can significantly impact the profitability of traditional energy investments. Navigating the legal boundaries of state sovereignty in these transitions is a challenge that the next generation of lawyers will inherit.
Explore our related articles for further reading on how international law adapts to global economic changes.
The Role of Academic Supervision in Advanced Legal Research
Conducting research at the intersection of multiple legal disciplines requires access to world-class academic supervision. Professor Kuźniacki will carry out his project at the Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Michigan Law School. He will work under the academic supervision of Professor Reuven Avi-Yonah and Professor Julian Arato.
Professor Avi-Yonah is an internationally recognized expert in international tax law, frequently consulted by governments and international organizations on issues of tax competition and corporate taxation. Professor Arato brings deep expertise in international investment law and the design of international economic institutions. The combination of their oversight ensures that the research will not only be theoretically sound but also practically applicable to current policy debates.
For PhD candidates and advanced law students, this highlights a crucial lesson: the quality of a research project is often determined by the quality of its academic environment and mentorship. Seeking out institutions and programs that offer direct access to leading global experts is a strategic step for any academic career.
Why Lazarski University Leads in Legal Education
Professor Kuźniacki’s achievement is not an isolated event but rather a reflection of the broader academic culture at the Faculty of Law and Administration at Lazarski University. As noted by Dr hab. Eligiusz Krześniak, Professor at Lazarski University and Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration, this award confirms the growing international recognition of the research conducted at the university.
Lazarski University consistently ranks at the top of national evaluations for legal education, holding 1st place in the rankings of both Rzeczpospolita daily and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. These rankings are based on criteria such as academic prestige, graduate employability, and the quality of the teaching staff. When faculty members are actively engaged in high-level legal research—such as analyzing state sovereignty for the Fulbright Program—that expertise directly translates into the classroom.
Students benefit from a curriculum that is informed by the latest developments in international law, rather than relying solely on outdated textbooks. They are taught by practitioners and researchers who understand how theoretical legal frameworks apply in real-world geopolitical and economic contexts. Submit your application today to join a law faculty recognized for its academic excellence and international engagement.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring International Law Professionals
For students and early-career professionals looking to follow a similar path in international legal research or practice, several actionable strategies can be derived from Professor Kuźniacki’s career trajectory:
1. Prioritize Interdisciplinary Legal Studies
The most compelling research questions today exist at the intersection of different legal fields. Do not limit your studies to a single silo. If you are studying tax law, take courses in international investment law, trade law, and arbitration. Understanding how different regimes interact will make you a more effective lawyer and a more insightful researcher.
2. Pursue International Research Opportunities Early
Programs like Fulbright are highly competitive, but they are not the only avenues for international academic exchange. Look into Erasmus+ programs, international summer schools, and joint degree programs. Building an international network early in your career opens doors to collaborative research projects and global job markets.
3. Select Institutions with Strong Global Networks
The fact that Professor Kuźniacki is conducting his research at the University of Michigan demonstrates the importance of institutional partnerships. When choosing a law school, evaluate its international partnerships. A university that maintains strong relationships with top-tier global institutions will provide you with better exchange opportunities, guest lectures from international experts, and access to global academic resources.
4. Focus on Contemporary Policy Challenges
Legal research has the greatest impact when it addresses current policy dilemmas. Whether it is global minimum taxation, digital economies, or the energy transition, aligning your academic focus with contemporary challenges ensures your work remains relevant and highly sought after by both public and private sector employers.
Have questions? Write to us! Our academic advisors can help you plan a path to a successful career in international law.
Conclusion
The awarding of the Fulbright Senior Award to Professor Błażej Kuźniacki represents a significant milestone for Lazarski University and the broader field of legal research in Poland. By investigating the complex relationship between international investment treaties and state tax sovereignty, his work will provide valuable insights into how nations navigate the delicate balance between attracting foreign investment and maintaining their sovereign right to tax. For prospective students, this achievement serves as a clear indicator of the high-level academic environment and international opportunities available at Lazarski University. Engaging with a faculty that actively shapes global legal discourse provides an unparalleled foundation for a successful career in law.
Share your experiences in the comments below regarding your interest in international law and tax policy.
