Adam Mickiewicz University (Uniwestytet im. Adama Mickiewicza) (AMU) in Poznań was established in 1919. As the largest University in Western Poland, AMU plays an important role in political, social and cultural life of the region. Adam Mickiewicz University is also one of the most important academic and intellectual centres in Poland, and benefit from international recognition as a prestigious institution.
The university is organized into several Faculties of Arts and Science. The Institute of Prehistory is one the first departments to be founded with the creation of the University. Its founder and first head was Prof. Józef Kostrzewski, one of the founders of the University itself. Nowadays, the Institute of Prehistory is part of the Faculty of History. It consists of four separate departments, realizing their own research projects and characterized by different specializations : Department of Stone and Bronze Age, Department of Iron Age, Department of Prehistory, Department of History and Methodology of Prehistory. Currently they are 22 academic staff and c. 400 undergraduate students at the Institute.

From its very beginnings, the Institute of Prehistory has carried out extensive scientific and educational activities, and it can count among its alumni many eminent academics and specialists in all aspects of archaeology. Besides extensive field surveys in Poland, the Institute has recently conducted extensive rescue excavation of the network of new highways. Of great importance is the Institute's study of methodological and theoretical frameworks of archaeological enquiry, as well as its interests and research in medieval archaeology, cultural links between Mediterranean and Central Europe, settlement studies, GIS, aerial photography along with interdisciplinary studies, including bioarchaeology, petroarchaeology and archaeometry.

The Institute takes an active role in various international exchange programmes with archaeological institutions from Europe and Asia. The co-operation also covers a joint editorial activities, such as a series of Baltic-Pontic Studies, published with the Ukrainian Academy of Science.

In the framework of the ACE project, the Institute of Prehistory at AMU is implicated in the following themes and actions.

With regards to Themes I and III, AMU intends to research multiply facets of the significance of the past in contemporary Poland. It will further scrutinize the role of professional archaeology in popularizing knowledge about the past among the general public. This project aims at connecting issues addressed in theme I (‘Researching the significance of the past') with those from theme III (‘Archaeology as a profession').

On Theme II, AMU will undertake a broad evaluation survey of archaeological practices in contemporary Poland that will result in publishing a number of scholarly papers. They will provide a well informed and calibrated overview of relevant policies from legal, administrative, operational and financial perspectives. In particular, this project will provide detailed accounts on conducting fieldwork and provide advice specifically suited to the ethical, legislative and environmental conditions of Polish archaeology, and guides practitioners from the initial stages of research design, through obtaining funding and permissions, to site recording, analysis, report writing and other forms of publication.

For Theme III (and in addition to the activities indicated above), AMU will produce one or two e-learning modules on topics specified on the partnership as a means of dissemination the most valuable achievements of the project. AMU will also participate in elaboration of the conception and implementation of the travelling exhibition as well as in dissemination of information on archaeology and its contemporary challenges to a wider public.

On Theme IV, AMU will undertake a number of activities in the domain of public outreach aimed at better awareness and knowledge among the general public. It will involve active participation in a number of public outreach activities conducted in Poland including the Scientific Week, the Museums Night, the Researchers Night, etc. It will also contribute to the project based travelling exhibition on various scientific and cultural aspects of preventive archaeology as well as travelling festival of films and videos on archaeology.
Finally, AMU will organize and host an ACE plenary meeting in Poznan in October 2011.