Ruta is a Polish sociologist and a scholar-practitioner, engaged in different projects around development of sustainable food systems in Poland. She works in the Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development and has been the member of Kooperatywa Grochowska for last 10 years. Ruta has done numerous research projects on development of Polish rural areas after the EU accession, including the role of institutions involved in rural development, social capital on rural areas and development of organic farming. Her recent research interests lie in exploring the change in food systems in Central and Eastern Europe. She was visiting scholar at Ostrom Workshop IU, USA. She had published numerous articles.