Krzysztof Malik (ORCID: 0000‑0003‑3107‑1226), Professor of Economic Sciences and former Fellow of the Foundation for Polish Science. His research focuses on sustainable development economics, regional specialisation, and economic policy evaluation. He has led numerous EU research projects, including Foresight for Sustainable Development of the Opole  Voivodeship, and serves as Chair of the Scientific Council of Economics and Finance in Opole University of Technology. Highly influential in regional development, Professor Malik contributed to the Development Strategy of the Opolskie Voivodeship and its Regional Innovation Strategy.