Polish Academy of Sciences

Overview

The Polish Academy of Sciences is one of the most significant scientific institutions located in Warsaw, Poland. A state-sponsored institution of higher learning, it is responsible for spearheading scientific developments across the country. With a network of research institutes and society of distinguished scholars, the Polish Academy of Sciences is organized into numerous institutions, such as the Institute of Pharmacology, Institute of Computer Science, Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, and more.

Composed of 79 research establishments, many of which are research stations, botanical gardens, institutes and research centers, and other research units, the Polish Academy of Sciences is home to a number of auxiliary scientific units. The academy also houses the Institute of Geophysics, the only institution in Poland that covers geophysical areas of study, including geomagnetism, seismology, and several fields of atmospheric physics.

Founded in 1952, the Polish Academy of Sciences was established by a committee of scientific societies, including the Warsaw Society of Friends of Learning, itself founded in the late 18th century, and the Polska Akademia Umiejętności, which translates to Polish Academy of Learning (abbreviated as PAU). In its early beginnings, the institution functioned as a learned society acting through an elected body of top research organizations and a community of scholars.

Operating through an elected assembly of committees, the academy has become a major scientific advisory body in Warsaw. Funded by the Polish government, it employs over 2,000 people to oversee a number of research institutes devoted to scientific and technological developments.

As one of the world’s leading scientific institutions, the Polish Academy of Sciences is dedicated to maintaining the highest quality of research in step with the developments in global science. The academy’s supreme governing body is its general assembly, which comprises all national members of the institution.

The presidium, which takes responsibility for all strategic issues faced by the academy, is composed of five division representatives, five vice presidents, the presidents of territorial branches, the chair of the council of provosts, the chancellor of the academy, a representative of the directors of the Academy research establishments, and one president elected by the general assembly.

Through interdisciplinary research at the interface of science and related fields, the Polish Academy of Sciences aims to establish a collaborative environment for each of its scientific institutions.