For the first time, the Committee of Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences has awarded the Alicja Dorabialska and Józef Hurwic Award for achievements in the popularization of chemistry
The main goal of the Alicja Dorabialska and Józef Hurwic Award for achievements in the popularization of chemistry is to honor individuals who actively engage in the popularization of chemistry and/or the history of Polish chemistry.
For the inaugural edition of the Competition, various popular science activities could be submitted between May 5 and June 14, 2026, in two categories: individual or team.
– "This award is a nod to those who, with passion and their own unique way, show and explain the world of chemistry and its history, thus building bridges between science and society. The choice was not easy – after a detailed analysis of 17 exceptional submissions (10 individual and 7 team), and truly stormy deliberations, the Chapter decided to grant two equal individual awards," – said the chairman of the PAS Committee of Chemistry, Prof. Paweł Kulesza, announcing the names of the laureates.
The laureates of the first edition of the PAS Committee of Chemistry Competition, ex aequo, are:
- Dr. Maciej Majdecki from the Centre of New Technologies at the University of Warsaw – honored for the modern and internationally recognized popularization of organic chemistry through social media and scientific photography. As the creator of the @luminescent_chemist brand, he effectively combines scientific activity with social communication, popularizing his research and achievements among a wide audience.
- Prof. Tomasz Pospieszny from the Faculty of Chemistry at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań – honored for his outstanding contribution to the popularization of the history of chemistry, especially research on the achievements of Marie Skłodowska-Curie and the role of women in the development of natural sciences; creator of the Piękniejsza Strona Nauki (More Beautiful Side of Science) program. His activities include numerous books, publications, exhibitions, lectures, and cooperation with renowned scientific institutions at home and abroad.
The official presentation of commemorative statuettes and diplomas will take place during the autumn meeting of the PAS Committee of Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Białystok. The event will be graced by two lectures by this year's Laureates. Honorary patronage over the inaugural edition of the PAS Committee of Chemistry Alicja Dorabialska and Józef Hurwic Award for achievements in the popularization of chemistry was taken by the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
We sincerely congratulate the Awardees and wish them many further successes!
More about the Laureates in the announcement on the PAS Committee of Chemistry website:
See the full announcement on the PAS Committee of Chemistry website
