The best scientists in the world met in Katowice
For the third time in Katowice the Scientific Conference of the Best Scientists in the World – TOP 2% took place. On the 8th of September 2026 in the chamber hall of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice, 59 scientists from 16 Polish universities, who stand out in the international arena, met.
Each year, the 2% most influential scientists in the world are selected based on publication citation indicators in two categories: for the previous year and for the entire period of their professional career. The research was initiated in 2019 on the basis of an article in the journal “PLOS Biology” by the authors from Stanford University, Elsevier, and SciTech Strategies.
- Being included in this elite list confirms the highest quality of scientific work and the real impact of the conducted research on the development of world science. Today’s conference also shows the strength and potential of the Silesian scientific community. Representatives of the Polish Academy of Sciences, public and non-public universities and research institutes, whose achievements build the position of Polish science in the world, meet here. It is an extremely valuable initiative, because it creates a space for exchanging experiences, presenting achievements, and establishing new scientific relations – emphasized the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk.
The participants of the conference were also welcomed by Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Zbigniew Paszenda, Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Investment.
The Scientific Conference of the Best Scientists in the World – TOP 2% presents the extraordinary achievements of scientists from Silesian universities and not only those. It has been organized for three years and is a perfect confirmation that Katowice truly deserved the title of the European City of Science in 2024.
- The first edition of this conference was organized during the celebrations of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 in the Katowice Week, and this year’s conference is an annual continuation of this initiative. We are glad that every year we have more participants, and we must remember that they are outstanding scientific personalities – said Dr Hab Eng. Grzegorz Wojnar, Prof. SUT, the organizer of the conference.
From the beginning, the event has been held with the support of the Katowice authorities.
- It is a great honour for me that in Katowice we have created a space to present the profiles of great people of science to our society and young people, to infect them with their passion for science, which is difficult to implement in Poland - said Dr Eng. Marcin Krupa, the Mayor of Katowice. He added that many of the achievements that cities enjoy had their origins in science and research.
- We talk too little about science. I hope that decision-makers will understand that the money spent on science is returned ten times – he appealed.
Since the first edition, the conference has also been held under the patronage of the Katowice branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
- There is a huge need to organize this conference because it emphasizes the role and place of true scientists in our region. True ones, i.e. those who have achieved international success, whose publications have been cited in many places around the world and have been an inspiration for further research - said Professor Andrzej Więcej, the President of the Polish
Academy of Sciences Branch in Katowice, who stressed that in the era of temptations related to making a fast career, scientists have to wait patiently for their success and have to earn it with hard and reliable work.
This year, 59 people registered for the conference, 25 of them from the Silesian University of Technology. In total, as many as 66 scientists of our university were included in the TOP 2% list published in 2025.
- As the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, I feel special pride in the presence of scientists of our university in this group. The Silesian University of Technology has been developing research at the world level for years, and the successes of our employees are a source of satisfaction for the entire academic community. In recent years, dozens of researchers of our university have been included in the prestigious TOP 2% of the most influential scientists in the world, confirming that the research conducted in Gliwice, Katowice and Zabrze has a significance far beyond the borders of our region – emphasized the Rector. - This achievement would not have been possible without years of work, consistency, courage in undertaking ambitious research challenges and the ability to build international cooperation. Behind every citation indicator are people, research teams, PhD students, and young researchers who contribute to the development of science and innovation every day - he added.
The scientists who are among the TOP 2% did not hide their pride and satisfaction.
- It is a great honour to be among the TOP 2% of the best scientists in the world. It is, of course, paid for by very hard work, not only individual work, but also work in research teams, because it should be noted that with this type of achievements, cooperation is particularly valuable – noted Dr Hab Aleksandra Kuzior, Prof. SUT.
The participants of the event emphasized that this is not an ordinary conference and did not hide that they rarely have the opportunity to meet in such a group. They are more likely to be found in different parts of the world, not in the region.
- Such meetings among scientists who are valued internationally give us a lot. Mutual exchange of opinions is important, because both the Silesian University of Technology and the Polish Academy of Sciences institutes should focus on those problems that are present here in the Silesian region, and such meetings are conducive to this – said Prof. Michał Bodzek from the Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, retired professor of the Silesian University of Technology.
During the presentation session, the researchers presented their research and scientific achievements in various disciplines, from topics in the field of engineering, to medical sciences and humanities.
This year’s edition also includes the so-called Round Table. The topics discussed jointly by the scientists concerned space exploration, scientific activity concerning aviation on the example of the Silesian Laboratory of Aviation Technologies located in Katowice at the Silesian University of Technology and the development of artificial intelligence - explained Prof. Wojnar.
The Mayor of Katowice encouraged scientists to join forces of scientists from different disciplines to conduct research on leading topics.
Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Manowska, Prof. SUT, who is also among the TOP 2% of scientists in the world, admitted that her research focuses on current challenges in the region.
- I focus primarily on artificial intelligence, which plays a key role these days. It is especially important for me when it comes to the energy sector, - she explained. - The energy transformation is underway, we are dealing with changing processes, and it is natural to use artificial intelligence. In all this, we must ensure that the use of these tools is wise, responsible and above all safe, because it is a critical infrastructure sector. This is something that interests me as a scientist, - she added.
Like other participants, she appreciated the opportunity to exchange experiences with representatives of other scientific disciplines.
- Nowadays, a lot of emphasis is placed on interdisciplinarity. Today we need to look at everything around us and all the shortcomings that we have as researchers. This interdisciplinarity can provide us with a better understanding of the social, economic, and technological environment at the same time.
The result of discussions and meetings in previous editions of the conference is a publication that presents the profiles of outstanding conference participants who were included in the TOP 2% list and presented the results of their research in Katowice.
The scientists from the Silesian University of Technology from among the 2% most cited in the world who registered for the conference are:
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Sylwia BAJKACZ, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Irena BARANOWSKA, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Krzysztof BARBUSIŃSKI, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Dorota BURCHART, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Rafał BURDZIK, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Bożena GAJDZIK, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Adam GRAJCAR, Silesian University of Technology
· DR (PhD) Chukwuemeke William ISAAC, Silesian University of Technology
· Dr Hab. Eng. Paweł KARASIŃSKI, University Professor, Silesian University of Technology
· Dr Hab. Eng. Wojciech KEMPA, Silesian University of Technology
· Dr. h.c. mult. Aleksandra KUZIOR, Prof of the Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab in Medical Sciences. Marek J. ŁOŚ, Silesian University of Technology
· Dr Hab. Eng. Elżbieta MACIOSZEK Prof of Silesian University of Technology
· Dr Hab. Eng. Prof. SUT Anna MANOWSKA, Silesian University of Technology
· Dr Hab. Eng. Jakub NALEPA, University Professor, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Andrzej POLANSKI, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek PRONOBIS, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Tadeusz PUSTELNY, Silesian University of Technology
· Dr Eng. ADRIAN RADOŃ, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marcin SAJDAK, Silesian University of Technology
· Dr Kinga STECUŁA, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Adam SZROMEK, Silesian University of Technology
· Dr. PhD Sourbh THAKUR, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marian TUREK, Silesian University of Technology
· Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Radosław WOLNIAK, Silesian University of Technology.
It is worth noting that the most recent list of TOP 2% scientists will be published at the end of September 2026
More information about all previous editions of the conference can be found at: https://www.polsl.pl/rt2/top2nnws/
fot. Maciej Mutwil
