{"id":19422,"date":"2025-10-27T11:01:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T11:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paris.pan.pl\/?p=19422"},"modified":"2025-11-04T16:08:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T16:08:49","slug":"event-report-standing-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-polish-scientists-and-scholars-in-europe-legacy-and-the-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paris.pan.pl\/en\/event-report-standing-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-polish-scientists-and-scholars-in-europe-legacy-and-the-present\/","title":{"rendered":"Event Report: \u201cStanding on the Shoulders of Giants. Polish Scientists and Scholars in Europe \u2013 Legacy and the Present\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 17 October<\/strong>, the Polish Academy of Sciences Scientific Center in Paris<\/strong> hosted a unique interdisciplinary event dedicated to outstanding Polish researchers whose work has shaped, and continues to shape, European science. The meeting accompanied an exhibition prepared for Poland\u2019s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, jointly developed by the PAS foreign centers in Brussels, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, and Kyiv<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The day opened with introductory remarks delivered by Prof. Aldona Katarzyna Jankowska, Director of the PAS Scientific Center in Paris<\/strong>, who welcomed the guests and expressed her gratitude for being able to host such distinguished researchers from institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The welcoming remarks were followed by Dr Tomasz Poprawka, Director of the PolSCA Office in Brussels<\/strong>, who explained the genesis of the exhibition and its main goal, which was to show excellent Polish researchers from the past and present who are working on topics that align with the European Union\u2019s strategic objectives.<\/p>\n

Lightning session<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The programme began with a lightning session featuring concise presentations by leading researchers from the Polish Academy of Sciences, representing various scientific disciplines \u2014 from medical physics and polar geochemistry to history, biotechnology, and materials science.<\/p>\n

Speakers included:
\n\u2022 Prof. Pawe\u0142 Olko<\/strong>, Institute of Nuclear Physics PAS \u2013 expert in medical physics and radiation dosimetry
\n\u2022 Prof. Monika Kusiak<\/strong>, Institute of Geophysics PAS \u2013 geochemist and polar explorer focusing on isotope geochemistry
\n\u2022 Prof. Maciej G\u00f3rny<\/strong>, Tadeusz Manteuffel Institute of History PAS \u2013 historian of East-Central Europe and intellectual history
\n\u2022 Prof. Janusz Lewi\u0144ski<\/strong>, Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS \u2013 chemist specializing in mechanochemistry and advanced materials
\n\u2022 Prof. Andrzej Gamian<\/strong>, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS \u2013 biochemist and immunologist, Director of the Institute<\/p>\n

The session highlighted the impact of Polish science on European and global research, celebrating innovation and international collaboration.<\/p>\n

In the Footsteps of Giants<\/em> \u2014 panel session<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the lunch break, which initiated fruitful discussion, participants took part in a panel titled \u201cIn the Footsteps of Giants \u2014 voices of the past, questions of the present\u201d, moderated by Dr Anna Nawrocka (Polonium Foundation). The conversation explored key contemporary challenges: trust in research, the role of science communication, scientific diplomacy, and the perception of Polish science abroad. The panellists also touched on the personal dimension of research \u2014 how to preserve curiosity and joy in a competitive academic environment.<\/p>\n

One of the topics that divided the panellists was the approach to science communication. In Prof. Lewi\u0144ski\u2019s opinion, it is better to leave this communication to scientists, who have the knowledge to explain their own research. Prof. Kusiak has a different view, stating that science communication professionals are better equipped to do this, as they have more experience, more efficient tools, and a better understanding of how to reach specific audiences. There was one aspect that everyone agreed on \u2014 promoting accessible and inspiring science should begin early in life, especially among children.<\/p>\n

Networking<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The event concluded with a networking session, providing space for informal conversations and opportunities to develop future collaborations \u2014 a fitting continuation of a day devoted to exchange, inspiration, and cross-border scientific community building.<\/p>\n

The accompanying exhibition \u201cStanding on the Shoulders of Giants\u201d remains open to visitors at the PAS Scientific Center in Paris until 28 October 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We warmly invite all those interested in science, history, and culture to discover the stories and contributions of exceptional Polish scholars.<\/p>\n\n\t\t