Popularisation in the spotlight

The new team, led by Dr Justyna Szostek-Aksamit from the University of Silesia, is tasked with developing diagnoses, recommendations and best practices to support the development of science communication in Poland. Its members include renowned science popularisers, scientists, journalists and communication practitioners, including Tomasz Rożek, Irena Cieślińska, Natalia Osica, Anna Ślązak and Natalia Schmidt-Polończyk.

The goal of the initiative is to systematically incorporate popularisation into the evaluation of scientific activities of institutions and to strengthen cooperation between universities and local governments, schools, and cultural institutions. As Deputy Minister Zioło-Pużuk underlines, science is sensational "in the best sense of the word" – it brings breakthrough discoveries and solutions that deserve to be presented in an accessible and inspiring way.

The University of Lodz is spreading its wings of popularisation

We have long believed at the University of Lodz that knowledge only truly matters when it is shared. Therefore, science popularisation is one of the pillars of our mission. The university hosts the Science Popularisers Student Science Club, which brings together students and doctoral students interested in science communication and creating of modern popularisation content.

We're also implementing a growing number of initiatives digitally. Our "Science Inspires" YouTube channel regularly publishes podcasts, conversations and lectures in which University of Lodz researchers discuss their discoveries and projects.

The University of Lodz among the leading popularisers in the country

Popularisation of science at the University of Lodz is not just a form of education – it's an expression of courage, curiosity and cooperation between scientists and society. Our researchers and students engage in hundreds of activities: from science festivals, through lectures and workshops, to podcasts and exhibitions. Thanks to them, science is not confined within the walls of academia – it lives in dialogue with its surroundings, inspires, explains and connects people.

The University of Lodz supports every initiative that strengthens the promotion of science in Poland. 2026 – the Year of Science Popularisation – will be another step towards bringing the discoveries, research and ideas of our scientists closer to people, including the youngest.

Popularisation, You Fool!

This nationwide shift in thinking about the role of science communication is brilliantly summarised in Prof. Krzysztof Pabis's article, "Popularyzacja, głupcze!" [Popularisatin, You Fool!], recently published in "Forum Akademickie" (Academic Forum). It calls for the permanent inclusion of popularisation in the evaluation of scientific activity, building public trust in science, and fostering partnerships with local governments, schools and cultural institutions. These are precisely the directions that – also in connection with the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Popularisation of Science and the establishment of a ministerial Advisory Team – we have incorporated into the University of Lodz strategy.

We encourage you to read the text by Prof. Pabis who is a biologist, ecologist and a science populariser. He is also the Vice-Rector for Popularisation of Science and Education at the University of Lodz, an author of numerous publications and books for adults and children popularising science, researcher of marine ecosystems and the Antarctic, member of the Committee on Polar Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and also of the Association of Tutors of the University of Lodz. In his work, Prof. Pabis combines a passion for discovery with the mission of bringing science to society.

Source and edit: Małgorzata Jasińska, cooperation: Kacper Szczepaniak
Edit: Press Office, University of Lodz