“Science in the Palace”: a series of exhibitions about research at the University of Warsaw

30 05 2025

“Science in the Palace” is a project implemented within the framework of the IDUB Programme, which aims to disseminate the results of research conducted at the University of Warsaw and build a bridge between academia and society. The project involves organising a series of exhibitions in the space of Kazimierzowski Palace, one of the most significant and representative locations on the UW campus.

Each exhibition presents the scientific achievements of a selected organisational unit of the University – such as a department, an institute, or a centre – in a visually attractive, factually accessible, and socially-embedded form. The subject matter is developed in collaboration with the unit’s researchers, ensuring that the exhibitions maintain substantive integrity, and reflect the current state of research. An individual who is combining scientific and curatorial competences – who holds a postdoctoral degree and is professionally active both in the field of scientific research and in the organisation of exhibitions and the popularisation of science in a museum institution – has been involved in the preparation of the exhibition.

Objectives of the project:

Popularising science and the results of research conducted at the University of Warsaw among a wide and diverse audience is one of the main objectives of this project. The exhibitions are aimed both at the academic community – students, doctoral students and university staff – and those visiting the University, including participants in open events, foreign guests, representatives of public institutions, and residents of the city of Warsaw. The location of the exhibitions in the historic interior of the Kazimierzowski Palace further enhances their accessibility and prestige, making them an element of the University’s dialogue with society.
Promoting interdisciplinarity and showing the practical applications of research results is one of the key objectives of the project. The exhibitions are designed to present the achievements of individual units, while also emphasising the links between different fields of knowledge; furthermore, they show how the results of academic research can respond to real social, economic, or environmental needs. Thus, the project reinforces the message about the role of the University as a place in which relevant solutions are being produced for the modern world.
Creating an open University that not only conducts world-class research but is also able to communicate it effectively and responsibly to a wide audience, is an important dimension of the project. Exhibitions are prepared with accessibility and comprehensibility in mind: open, inclusive language is used, and exhibition content is also translated into Polish Sign Language (PJM), allowing Deaf people to participate in the reception of the exhibition. These practices are part of the University of Warsaw’s broader efforts to promote accessibility and equality in acquiring knowledge.

Form of exhibitions

Each exhibition which is created as part of the “Science in the Palace” series consists of 20 thematic charts, placed on aesthetically-pleasing displays and distributed throughout the space of the Kazimierzowski Palace. The boards, printed on frosted foil, contain accessible substantive content, prepared in collaboration with researchers from the respective unit. The texts are supplemented with illustrations, laboratory photographs, archives, scientific graphics and infographics, creating an attractive, visually coherent narrative.

The exhibition is complemented by display tables and glass showcases, which feature:

source materials and objects illustrating the research context,
spatial models,
interactive elements of a physical nature,g., moving windows, dividers, layered boards, stickers, etc. that engage the audience in self-discovery of the content.

Although the project does not make use of multimedia solutions, due to the technical limitations of the exhibition space in the Kazimierzowski Palace, which does not allow for the installation of electronic devices or installations requiring electricity, the physical form of interaction is an attractive and accessible way to engage the audience, regardless of age or level of expertise in a particular area of knowledge.

There is a strong emphasis on clarity of message and open language. The exhibitions are designed with the diversity of the audience in mind, both within and outside of academia. Thus, the project fits in with the idea of an open, socially-responsible university that conducts world-class research and is able to communicate it in an accessible, inclusive, and engaging way.

Exhibitions completed to date:

Faculty of Chemistry, UW – “Chemistry around us”. The exhibition was devoted to the achievements of researchers at the Faculty of Chemistry in recent years, showing the multifaceted role of chemistry in the modern world. Innovative solutions for the industry and the energy sector, research into modern materials, catalysts, and discoveries with potential in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases were presented. A special place was also given to inventions with cultural and social significance. The exhibition was meant to popularise the area by encouraging the public to look at the world through the eyes of a chemist, providing insights into what scientists observe under microscopes and in test tubes. In this way, the exhibition was also an invitation to the world of research and experimentation, showing their importance to science and also in everyday life.
Chemistry at the heart of understanding the micro world
This module is devoted to theoretical research and fundamental issues in modern chemistry. It presents, among other things, work on chemical metrology, such as the redefinition of SI units, and achievements in quantum crystallography, which allow for describing the structure of matter at the atomic level. Chemistry is shown as a tool for understanding and accurately describing reality.
Chemistry of new materials
This section presents research into innovative materials with properties tailored to the needs of modern technology. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), self-organising molecular systems, conductive glasses, and liquid crystals with ordered structures are shown. Audiences can ask themselves questions like, “can wires smell? can liquid twist?” and learn the scientific answers to these intriguing inquiries. These materials find applications in photonics, sensors, optics, and medicine.
Chemistry for industry
This module presents the applications of chemistry in the development of modern industrial and energy technologies. Topics on display include homogeneous catalysts, materials supporting the hydrogen economy, and electrochemical energy sources and storage, such as modern batteries, supercapacitors, and energy storage systems. Chemistry is shown as a driver of innovation and sustainability.
Chemistry for medicine
This section presents developments at the intersection of chemistry and biomedical science. Research into new analgesics for the treatment of neuropathic pain, a potential drug for Alzheimer’s disease, as well as innovative diagnostic devices, such as a dialysis fluid analyser, are presented. Work on new oncology therapies based on molecular and nanotechnology approaches is also showcased. This module highlights the importance of chemistry in health care and the personalisation of medicine.
Chemistry for culture
The final module demonstrates the application of chemistry in the protection of cultural heritage and collaboration with museum institutions. Achievements in the field of archaeometry (the science that studies the origin and composition of historic materials) and innovative conservation methods such as the gel method for restoring paintings on canvas are presented. Through this research, it is possible to reconstruct the history of objects, analyse them, and develop techniques for safe conservation.
Faculty of Biology, UW – “Biology: life on a micro and macro scale”. The exhibition prepared by the Faculty of Biology of the University of Warsaw, along with the Centre for Cooperation and Dialogue, presents the richness and diversity of contemporary biological research from the molecular level to ecosystems and global biodiversity. The exhibition shows the complexity of life, as well as the importance of basic research in understanding the mechanisms by which organisms function, and applications in health care, the environment, and the development of modern technologies. The exhibition is divided into four thematic modules, each presenting a different dimension of biological research:
Molecule: the foundations of life
This module presents research into the structure and function of molecules crucial to life, such as mRNAs, orphan enzymes, or membrane proteins. It shows how an understanding of molecular mechanisms is the starting point for the development of innovative therapies and disease diagnostics.
Cell and tissue: the microworld in action
Research in embryology, tissue regeneration, eukaryotic microorganisms and cellular mechanisms relevant to infertility therapy, regenerative medicine, and developmental biology were presented. Attention was also given to the structure of cell membranes and intracellular communication.
The organism: a harmony of structures and processes
The module showcases studies on the diversity of organisms, from fungi, bacteria and parasites (e.g., ticks) to fossil organisms analysed within the framework of palaeobiology. The topics presented illustrate complex biological interactions and evolutionary adaptations.
Ecosystem: the web of life
The most comprehensive module of the exhibition is dedicated to the study of urban ecology, habitat conservation and large predators, as well as phenomena such as antibiotic resistance in an environmental context. Issues related to the bioremediation of contaminated land, the use of extremophiles and microorganisms in innovative technologies, and the impact of climate change on the functioning of plant ecosystems are also presented.

The exhibition combined a high level of content with an accessible form of presentation; scientific texts were complemented by rich visual material such as microscope photographs, molecular models, and infographics. Because of its wide range of topics, the exhibition shows the Faculty of Biology as a modern, interdisciplinary centre of life sciences, conducting research of fundamental and practical importance, relevant both to science and to the challenges of the modern world.

Faculty of Polish Studies, UW – “Spaces of the book”. The exhibition showed the book as a multidimensional phenomenon: it is an object, a text, a cultural medium, and a space for creative and social interaction. Various stages of a book’s function were presented, from its creation, through circulation and reception, to contemporary forms of presence in digital space. The exhibition presented research in literary studies, editing, book history, bibliology, linguistics, and literary anthropology. The exhibition consists of five thematic sections:
Book sources – from oral literature and manuscripts to digital forms of transmission, such as video platforms;
Collections and editions – the history of book publishing, collecting and cataloguing;
Book translations – issues of literary translation and the adaptation of literary content in different media;
Book studies – linguistic, literary and cultural studies reflections on text, style, code, and context;
Books in action – the book as a tool for education, communication, and creativity.
The exhibition combined a scientific approach with an interactive experience: among other things, visitors could write the title of a book that was important to them on a special board, co-creating a shared map of literary inspirations. One of the focal points of the exhibition was a spatial installation with three-dimensional letters in various alphabets and languages, which are being studied by researchers in the Faculty. Visitors were able to make words out of them and explore their forms and meanings. The exhibition presented scientific achievements and also encouraged active participation in literary culture, demonstrating the interdisciplinarity of contemporary book and language research.

Current unit presented:

Faculty of Economic Sciences UW (WNE UW) – “Economics in Action. From Everyday Choices to Global Challenges” – The exhibition prepared by the Faculty of Economic Sciences at UW, in cooperation with the UW Centre for Cooperation and Dialogue, shows how Economics permeates all spheres of social life, from individual consumer decisions to global challenges to civilisation. The exhibition, open for viewing starting from 30 April 2025 in the Kazimierzowski Palace, is cross-cutting by combining theoretical research with practical applications of the results of economic analysis. The exhibition is divided into four main thematic modules:
Quantitative methods and tools of analysis – this presents modern techniques used in economics, such as spatial models, artificial intelligence, or data analysis.
Economic behaviour – this presents the influence of psychology, social norms, and cognitive constraints on decision-making.
Economics and society – these are the links between the labour market, education, family structure, income inequality, and culture.
Global economics and politics – this analyses European integration processes, climate change, and migration, as well as their social and economic impacts.
The exhibition emphasises that Economics is not just about numbers and graphs, but also a tool for understanding and shaping reality, from designing public policies, to analysing markets, to building a more just and sustainable society. It also showcases the achievements of the UW Faculty of Economic Sciences, including research projects carried out in international collaboration.

Upcoming planned exhibitions:

Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies of the University of Warsaw (WGiSR)
Astronomical Observatory of UW
Faculty of Applied Linguistics UW (WLS)

Importance of the project within the IDUB Programme

“Science in the Palace” is a form of presentation of research results, as well as a means for the systemic dissemination of the results of IDUB-supported projects. The presence of the exhibitions on the IDUB website and their photographic and textual documentation enable the creation of comprehensive reports, including those on the implementation of the IDUB programme, and demonstrate the social value of the activities being carried out. In this way, the project has a communicative, educational, and promotional function, supporting the strategic objectives of the University.