Discussion panels, lectures, presentations, workshops, case studies from universities, exhibitions and expositions of the EC1 Łódź Science and Technology Centre, the closing of the art exhibition at the Biedermann’s Palace Coach House were the core of the conference. We invited the best Polish popularisers of science to Lodz as speakers. The programme included examples of popularisation from the University of Lodz, as well as ways of practical use of generative artificial intelligence tools in science communication.
In a group of nearly 190 people we talked about, among other things, the following topics:
- building a message based on trust,
- using artificial intelligence in communication,
- popularising science using art,
- fighting disinformation and fake news,
- connecting scientific institutions with the world of culture,
- the third criterion in university evaluation,
- good practices from universities across Poland, including the University of Lodz.
The conference "Popularisation in action! The path to openness and accessibility of science", organised by the Stowarzyszenie PR i Promocji Uczelni Polskich "PRom" and the University of Lodz, was not only a platform for exchanging experiences and knowledge, but also an excellent opportunity to build relationships and cooperation between representatives of the academic world and practitioners in the field of public relations, promotion and communication.
This exceptional event began the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the University of Lodz – a young, modern university which is open to dialogue and based on mutual respect and cooperation with the external environment. Together with representatives of: Polish state and private universities, classical universities, technical, medical and military universities, institutions supporting science and culture, we confirmed that science needs conversation and bold, often unconventional ways to popularise it.
The conference was opened by Prof. Rafał Matera, Rector of the University of Lodz, who encouraged those gathered to freely and unrestrictedly exchange ideas, which is so necessary for everyone in times of populism, post-truth and false information.
The speakers enthusiastically accepted the invitation to speak, representing such units of our university as:
- Faculty of Philology
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science,
- Faculty of Management,
- Biobank Laboratory at the faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection,
- Faculty of Economics and Sociology,
- Faculty of Philosophy and History,
- University of Lodz Doctoral School of Humanities,
- Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University,
- Centre for Brand Communications,
- Centre for Organising Cultural Events and Conferences.
The event was also actively attended by representatives of, inter alia, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Foundation for the Development of the Education System and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange.
During the conference, a meeting of the Advisory Team for Activities to Promote Polish Science Abroad was held. Initial proposals developed by the sub-groups were presented. For the first time, the meeting in Lodz was open to community consultations, the aim of which was to take into account a wide range of opinions and experiences of members of the ‘PRom’. Our university was represented at the session by dr hab. Krzysztof Pabis, the University of Lodz Vice-Rector for Popularisation of Science and Education.
The special session of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education was the subject of a text on the PAP Science in Poland website, which we present below:
Experts: Polish science needs to strengthen its image in the world
Scientists and experts from the ministerial team for the promotion of Polish science abroad underlined the fact that Polish science needs to strengthen its image in the world. One of the ideas for its internationalisation is to establish the position of scientific counsellor in Polish diplomatic missions.
The advisory team of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education for activities promoting Polish science abroad met, as part of the conference organised by the University of Lodz and Stowarzyszenie PR i Promocji Uczelni Polskich "PRom" entitled "Popularisation in action! The path to openness and accessibility of science" at another meeting on Tuesday in Lodz.
The ministerial team has been operating for a year now, but – as its President, dr hab. Łukasz Zamęcki, Associate Professor at the University of Warsaw, emphasized – the meeting in Lodz had an open nature for the first time. During the event activities and strategies aimed at increasing the international visibility of Polish scientists and their achievements were discussed.
Today's meeting can be called a kind of consultation with the community directly related to research and people involved in promoting the university in Poland and abroad. Many interesting opinions were raised regarding supporting Polish scientists and activities promoting and popularising Polish science, also in the international context. We received information on the expectations and needs of the scientific community. These proposals and suggestions are very valuable to us
– said Prof. Zamęcki.
Prof. Zamęcki pointed out that continuous efforts should be made to support Polish researchers in developing their competences related to promoting the research they conduct and establishing contacts with the world of science abroad.
First of all, we must ensure that Polish research is visible beyond borders, even in the form of publications in good, international journals. We are already undertaking a number of activities in the field of promoting Polish science, but there is also a clear professionalisation of Polish universities in terms of the visibility of our science
– he added.
The University of Lodz Vice-Rector for Popularisation of Science and Education, dr hab. Krzysztof Pabis, using the example of the involvement of the Lodz university in Africa, drew attention to the need for political support for these activities.
It is about supporting government organisations in African countries, because conducting activities on this continent is much more difficult than in Europe
– he explained.
The head of the Internationalisation Office at the Medical University of Gdańsk, Ewa Kiszka, informed that after consultations and analyses, the team proposed the creation of a coordination centre bringing together institutions already operating in the country that promote Polish science abroad.
We would like to change the way they operate to a horizontal one and create synergy. Polish science really needs to strengthen its image in the world. The second proposal is to establish positions of so-called scientific advisers in our diplomatic missions, among other things, in Washington or Brussels. They will create cooperation networks on site, recognize opportunities, support Polish scientists, universities and institutions in establishing contacts. This will translate into raising the level of internationalisation of Polish universities, attracting talents and professors to us and strengthening the image of our science in the world
– she arued.
President of the Stowarzyszenie PR i Promocji Uczelni Polskich "PRom" Anna Kiryjow-Radzka (Warsaw University of Life Sciences), speaking about the expectations of scientists regarding the popularisation of their achievements, pointed to the need for broad and coordinated communication. She underlined that the elements of building the recognition of Polish science in the world may include, among other things, the presence of researchers in social media, publications in scientific journals, participation in international conferences.
The conference in Lodz, focusing on popularising science, ended on Wednesday. The programme included panel discussions, lectures and workshops led by popularisers of science from all over Poland.
Stowarzyszenie PR i Promocji Uczelni Polskich "PRom" brings together a group of experts in the field of communication and promotion from Polish universities – public and private. "PRom" is created by people who work on the image of the university on a daily basis – they are spokespeople, marketers, editors of websites, services, social media, work for the internationalisation or popularisation of science. (PAP).
Source: Science in Poland portal – naukawpolsce.pl.
Edit: Honorata Ogieniewska, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University, University of Lodz