Priority Research Areas
Within the framework of Research Excellence Initiative, we are planning to develop five Priority Research Areas (PRAs) related to the most important contemporary civilisation challenges. They will be selected based on the scientific activity of employees of the University of Silesia in Katowice. Particularly taken into consideration will be unique research subjects, which may significantly contribute to the development of global science. Priority Research Areas are an invitation to conduct interdisciplinary research in cooperation with globally renowned international centres.
PRAs, consistent with the development strategy of the University of Silesia for 2020-2025, particularly refer to the development strategy for Poland (Poland 2030), and are intended to help the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
POB1
Harmonious human development – concern for health protection and quality of life
PRA 1 covers problems in the fields of natural sciences, medical and health sciences, engineering and technology, and social sciences, in which the University has unquestionable research leaders.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
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POB2
Modern materials and technologies, their social and cultural implications
PRA 2 covers problems in the fields of engineering and technology, natural sciences and social sciences. The research subjects undertaken in the above-mentioned areas are very up-to-date, interdisciplinary and combine issues from various scientific disciplines: chemistry, physics, materials science and optical technologies. The idea behind this area assumes that it is necessary to take responsibility for the conducted research in the field of natural sciences and technology, taking into consideration its impact on the society, including on the direct recipients of modern materials and technologies.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
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POB3
Environmental and climate changes with the related social challenges
PRA 3 covers the field of natural sciences and social sciences. The primary goal of the research is to understand climate change and environmental changes in the context of natural factors, taking into consideration the research on geological past of the Earth, as well as human intervention, and their effect on the environment, human life and health. Research in this area is conducted in the context of global problems in natural sciences, with particular focus on the research carried out by the Centre for Polar Studies.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
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POB4
Humanities for the future – interdisciplinary research on culture and civilisation
PRA 4 covers problems in the fields of humanities, social sciences, arts and theology. This area is based on the research focused on the cultural problems of the implications of civilisation development. It provides a response to the need for development of dialogue between humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and experimental sciences.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
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POB5
Research on fundamental properties of nature
PRA 5 is a synergy of issues on their elementary level in natural sciences. This area plays a key part in the development of science and technology and has a huge impact on our society. The unique examples of activities in this area include analyses of plant nuclear genome and elementary particles physics, with particular focus on the study of neutrino nature.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
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