University of Silesia in Katowice

POP Science
About science. For people.

Science communication makes scientific discoveries more understandable. It allows us to see the importance of scientific research in everyday life and notice its impact on our future.

The POP Science project, coordinated by the University of Silesia in Katowice on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, aims to integrate the community of science communicators and organisers of regular popular science events in Poland through:

1. task-based cooperation;
2. creating an effective internal communication system for scientific achievements, and
3. developing recommendations for solutions to systemic problems in science communication.

The key task is to diagnose and strengthen the visibility of individual research achievements in the public sphere and to show their impact on life and society. The project will be implemented in 2025-2028.

What will we do?

MAPPING POPULAR SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

The diagnosis of popular science activities in Poland will allow us to create a database of entities, individuals and initiatives particularly involved in science communication. We will analyse the landscape of science communication in Poland, including its potential and problems. Then, we will establish international cooperation to broaden the reach of information about the scientific achievements of Polish scientists.

We will build a functional and operational network of cooperation between higher education institutions, scientific institutions and the media. We will integrate the previously scattered potential in order to build the prestige of Polish scientific achievements in the public sphere.

The network will also be a tool facilitating contact, promotion of events and establishment of partnerships, drawing on European experience.

ORGANISATION OF THE POP SCIENCE CONGRESS

The POP Science Congress will be held annually between 2025 and 2027. The programme will include industry meetings aimed at both those involved in science communication as well as the professional organisation and support of science communication processes. Participants will have the opportunity to get involved in networking sessions dedicated to the exchange of experiences, programmes and methods. One of the elements of the Congress will be sciencehopping – a dynamic review of science communication initiatives from all over Poland. Participants will learn about the most interesting projects, events and popularisation campaigns, and will also be able to meet their creators directly, exchange experiences and establish cooperation. As part of this endeavour, we will also aim to encourage the audience to develop science tourism.

ACADEMY OF POPULAR SCIENCE COMPETENCES

The Academy of Popular Science Competences is a series of training courses, workshops and meetings aimed at science communicators and organisers of popular science events. Its aim is to improve qualifications and develop practical skills in the field of scientific communication, management of science communication projects and building relationships with various audience groups.

AGENCY FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS

The project will establish an agency for the dissemination of scientific achievements – an internal communication system supporting the effective dissemination of scientific reports and information about the successes of Polish scientists in the country and abroad. Its aim will be to increase the visibility of Polish science in the public sphere and promote its importance for the development of society, the economy and culture.

POPULAR SCIENCE COOPERATION AGENCY 

We will create a popular science cooperation agency for programme exchange between institutions and entities involved in science communication, with particular emphasis on cyclical initiatives. The agency will enable better communication and coordination of activities between organisers of popular science events and will enable the implementation of systemic solutions with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

Thanks to the agency, organisers of popular science initiatives will be able to easily search for experts, scientists and science communicators representing various fields of science and invite them to participate in events, lectures, festivals or educational campaigns in Poland and Europe.

SYSTEMIC DIAGNOSIS

The cooperation network will prepare and test formal and practical innovations in science communication, as well as develop recommendations and proposals for solutions to key problems in this area of dissemination of science in cooperation with the Minister of Science and Higher Education’s advisory team for science communication.

Contact:

Please contact us via e-mail: popscience@us.edu.pl .

Full service available soon!

Learn more about our previous science communication initiatives!

The project is financed by
the Minister of Science and Higher Education.

Contract No. MNiSW/2025/DAP/487