Science Popularization Centre

Popularization and communication of science are multidimensional areas, which consist of issues related to, among others, cooperation with the media, institutional support, the possibility of education, popularisation activities and engaging recipients in them. The multiplicity and diversity of these issues contributed to the development of good practices for the dissemination of knowledge.

The need to discuss the issues resulted in the workshop “Popularization and communication of science in Poland” with the participation of representatives of universities, scientific institutes, promotion offices, science centres, companies, and business from all over Poland. The event took place on April 8^th, 2024, at the Silesian University of Technology. The starting point for its organization and the topics discussed was the last year’s debate.

Participants of the workshop took part in 4 panels conducted by specialists-practitioners.

Panel 1 – “Popularization of science at the university” – was devoted to issues related to the requirement of conducting popularisation activities by the academic community. These activities result in strengthening the university’s relationship with the socio-economic environment, improving the image of science. However, they are associated with recognition of popularisation as a separate activity and the development of principles that will allow to combine scientific, didactic, and popularizing work. They also need to distinguish popularisation from promotion.

Panel 1 was led by Dr Wojciech Glac, prof UG (Director of the Science Popularization Centre at the University of Gdańsk) and Dr Hab. Aleksandra Ziembińska-Buczyńska, prof. SUT, Director of the Science Popularization Centre at the Silesian University of Technology, The Council for the Promotion of the Public Understanding of Science PAS).

Panel 2 participants: “Profession – populariser of science” – conducted by Elżbieta Pogoda (Association of Science Advocates, LabiQ) and Mariusz Gogól (Association of Science Advocates, Mariusz Gogól Education & Scientific Communication) – could discuss issues related to the need to create a science populariser profession (i.e. a person who initiates popular science ventures in universities or units, reaches recipients, it cooperates with science centres), as well as ways of education that would allow you to choose a career path in this area.

Science communication would not be possible without the support of media representatives. Good cooperation between scientists and journalists (often with the support of university press offices) translates into effective reaching of recipients, increasing the value of science, and positively affects the image of the university. However, it often poses many challenges to both the academic and media environment – related, among others, to the quality and form of the prepared content, as well as appropriate preparation for this type of cooperation. The participants of the 3-panel discussed science in the media together with the journalist Agnieszka Kliks-Pudlik (Science in Poland).

Panel 4 was devoted to scientific communication to society and business. The issues of knowledge transfer to business were discussed with the participants by Natalia Osica (Managing Director of Pro Science). Among the issues discussed, there were comments regarding the creation of an offer of units addressed to the economic environment, as well as improving the process of establishing cooperation between universities and business representatives.

The work of the second group within the 4^th panel was coordinated by Alicja Harackiewicz (director of the Experiment Science Centre, president of SPIN Association). The participants paid attention to the goals of scientific communication and the measurable effects of the actions undertaken, as well as the training of communication competences of scientists.

Each group presented the results of their work during the summary session. The prepared guidelines and stages of action will be the starting point for the development of specific strategies and guidelines, which in turn will be presented to the authorities of universities and research centres, to introduce them to the functioning of units. The meeting was also a great opportunity to exchange experience and inspiration for further activities undertaken in the field of scientific communication and popularization of science.

The organizers of the workshops were: Polish Academy of Sciences, The Council for the Promotion of the Public Understanding of Science PAS, Silesian University of Technology, Science Popularization Centre Media patrons: “Science in Poland” and “Academic Forum”. Partners: Eureka-PRO and pro science. The event was held under the patronage of the President of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland.

Event organized as part of the grant for the Dissemination and Promotion of Scientific Activity (UiPDN) of the Polish Academy of Sciences 2024.