The Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS in “SciComm Connections”: science outreach as part of the Institute’s mission

The Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF) shares its experience in science outreach and institutional science communication in the latest interview in the “SciComm Connections” series, published by the European COALESCE project. Dr. Anna Przybyło-Józefowicz, who oversees the Institute’s communications and public relations and coordinates the Polish COALESCE Hub, describes an approach that combines years of practice, creative communication formats, and leadership engagement. Her conversation with Katja Kaurinkoski of Finland’s The Science Basement explores how different organizations draw on their teams’ expertise to make science accessible and develop collaboration across the European network of COALESCE Hubs.

IChF was among the pioneers in Poland in systematically producing accessible press materials based on research publications in the physical sciences. For approximately 15 years, these materials have been accompanied by scientific photography that uses artistic staging to illustrate research concepts. This work is complemented by staff-led initiatives, including public seminars over coffee, workshops for children and teenagers, and participation in the Science Picnic and Festival. The connection between science and art is also reflected in a children’s book introducing a tomograph used in ophthalmology and developed by scientists at ICTER (IChF’s center of excellence for eye research), as well as in a comic book currently in development that introduces young readers to the work of chemists. These activities share a common premise: communication should explain the purpose and significance of research and create opportunities for interaction and dialogue with audiences. As the Polish COALESCE Hub coordinator emphasizes, “we have a responsibility towards them,” because the public that funds science should have the opportunity to learn about its results and significance.

The interview also highlights the strategic dimension of communication: the IChF leadership’s decision to strengthen its role, professional development through international exchange, and the use of COALESCE’s knowledge and tools. “We try to be an opinion maker in science communication,” Anna Przybyło-Józefowicz notes, referring to the article on the London School of Economics Impact Blog about communicating the impact of science. Storytelling, concrete examples, and creative communication formats help audiences understand how research findings affect their everyday lives. The Polish COALESCE Hub brings the perspective of a research institute with several hundred staff members within the Polish Academy of Sciences network to European collaboration, while seeking approaches that can be applied more broadly across Poland’s science communication and outreach ecosystem.

We thank Vera Novais for the interview and the opportunity to share the Polish COALESCE Hub’s experience and perspectives.

Link to the interview on the project website: SciComm Connections: bringing practitioners into science communication research – COALESCE.