It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the passing of Professor Janusz Borkowski from the Institute of Geophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, who died this morning at the age of 88.
Professor Janusz Borkowski served for many terms as a member of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, being one of its longest-serving members. Over the years, he actively contributed to the work of the Council, sharing his experience, knowledge, and kindness.
We extend our sincere condolences to Professor Borkowski’s family and loved ones.
We warmly invite you to the panel discussion “Around the Sea: Art – Science – Woman”, which will take place on 7 March 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the State Art Gallery in Sopot.
The event is organised as part of March of the Sopot Women. The panel discussion accompanies the exhibitions In Depth: Living Seas, Living Bodies and The Female Image of the Sea.
Partners: Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Gdańsk
The event will focus on artistic practices and collaboration with scientists among the exhibiting artists, as well as on recent important projects such as the Polish–British Season, the Social Art Award, and other initiatives of the Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI) in Berlin, as well as on last year’s Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Representatives of cultural institutions from Poland and abroad will present their key projects, providing a starting point for a discussion on future plans, strategies, and programmes worth pursuing.
The event will be conducted in Polish and English.
The Foundation for Polish Science has announced the results of the TEAM NET competition, awarding nearly PLN 90 million to eight projects with high implementation potential. Among them is the MERMAID project (Ultra-precise forecasts for the Baltic Sea), in which the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences is a partner.
The project will be carried out by a consortium comprising the University of Warsaw (leader), IO PAN, and the Institute of Hydro-Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its objective is to develop a Europe-wide unique system for ultra-precise forecasting of the Baltic Sea, supporting the maritime economy, navigation safety, and environmental protection. The innovation of the solution lies in the use of advanced numerical models, a significant increase in computational resolution, and the provision of forecasts in the form of easily accessible interactive maps, visualisations, and API interfaces that can be integrated with systems used by ports, offshore wind farm operators, and crisis management authorities.
At IO PAN, the work will be led by Prof. Lidia Dzierzbicka-Głowacka.
The total funding for the project exceeds PLN 12 million.
On 18 February, a meeting of the Bureau of the Sopot City Council – the Committee on Tourism, Health Resort and Environmental Protection – was held at the headquarters of the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The meeting focused on issuing an opinion on the draft local spatial development plan for the municipal beach area and on presenting the Institute’s activities.
During the discussion, key directions for planning the future of the coastal zone were identified:
The importance of cooperation between science and local government in shaping a safe and sustainable future for the coast was emphasised.
On 4 February 2026, the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, together with the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute – PIB and the Faculty of Oceanography and Geography of the University of Gdańsk, presented a joint position on the draft “Maritime Coastal Protection Programme” submitted for public consultation by the Ministry of Infrastructure. The scientists emphasise that effective coastal protection should be based on up-to-date scientific knowledge and an adaptive approach to natural processes occurring in the marine environment.
The authors point out that phenomena such as coastal erosion and sea-level change are natural components of coastal dynamics and should not be treated as an adversary to be fought. Instead of large-scale protection along the entire coastline, they propose focusing measures primarily on ports, urban areas and critical infrastructure, while allowing natural processes to shape other coastal sections.
The joint statement was signed by Prof. Jan Marcin Węsławski, Acting Director of the Institute of Oceanology PAN; Dr hab. Piotr Margoński, Director of the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute – PIB; and Dr hab. Katarzyna Smolarz, Dean of the Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk.
We cordially invite you to the discussion panel “Around the Sea – Fishing Communities, Art and Science”, accompanying the exhibitions “In the Depths: Living Seas, Living Bodies” as well as the exhibition “The Female Image of the Sea.”
The event will take place on 7 February 2026 at 2:00 PM at the State Art Gallery in Sopot.
The panel Fishing Communities, Art, and Science will focus on art and science as ways of preserving the traditions and memory of fishing communities, as well as reflecting on the contemporary transformation of lifestyles and the labor market.
The event will be conducted in Polish and English.
Partners: Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Gdańsk, National Marine Fisheries Research Institute – PIB.
