Professor Robert Hołyst appointed to the Science Policy Committee for 2024–2027

Professor Robert Hołyst of the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF), has been appointed as a member of the Science Policy Committee (Komitet Polityki Naukowej) for the 2024–2027 term. The nomination was made by the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education, Marcin Kulasek. The official appointments were presented on 17 March 2025 in Warsaw.

The Science Policy Committee is an advisory body to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Comprising twelve experts from diverse scientific disciplines, the Committee plays an instrumental role in shaping national science and innovation policy. Its responsibilities include evaluating the implementation of national science policy, providing expert input on strategic documents and legal frameworks, supporting the development of the national research budget and investment priorities, and issuing recommendations regarding the activities of key agencies such as the National Science Centre (NCN) and the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR).

Professor Hołyst is the head of the Soft Condensed Matter Research Group (No. 10) at IChF. From 2011 to 2015, he served as the Director of the Institute. His research spans the fields of chemistry, physics, and biology, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and the interface between science and public policy. Reflecting on the importance of his new role, Professor Hołyst stated:

“I come from a long line of teachers, and education is as important to me as research. Universities receive funding for education, but they are evaluated only on scientific output. We need teaching to be evaluated on par with research. This would improve the quality of education and ensure that university lecturers are fully recognized within the science and higher education system.
Furthermore, universities could consciously choose their development pathway—either as research-oriented institutions or as education-focused colleges. Alternatively, they could operate both models simultaneously. Such a system would allow institutions to align their strategies with their missions and ensure a fairer evaluation and funding of both teaching and research activities.”

Additional information on the appointment of new members to the Committee is available on the website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (in Polish): https://www.gov.pl/web/nauka/nowa-strategia-rozwoju-szkolnictwa-wyzszego--minister-marcin-kulasek-powoluje-zespol-ekspercki-i-oglasza-zmiany-w-skladzie-komitetu-polityki-naukowej.