Born in 1947. Lubelskie region. Professor of Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Before becoming a Member of the European Parliament, Director of the Institute for Public Affairs (1997–2009) and Director of the Public Opinion Research Center-CBOS (1991–1997). Author and editor of over a hundred books, articles and journals. Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite, Officer of the Order of the Rebirth of Poland. MEP since 2009.