Katowice, Poland — 2nd September 2025. The 49th Congress of Polish Physicists will convene in Katowice on 6th–11th September 2025, bringing together researchers, educators and innovators to discuss frontier science and the role of physics in Europe’s most pressing societal challenges—from energy transition and climate to healthcare, cybersecurity and trustworthy AI. Hosted by the Polish Physical Society (PTF) and the University of Silesia in Katowice, the Congress combines a rich scientific programme with public-facing events designed to rebuild trust in science and strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
“Physics isn’t an island. It’s a tool to describe the world. As the world changes, physicists must be at its centre, not on the margins,” says Prof. Paweł Zajdel, Chair of the Organising Committee.
Programme highlights
Opening session – 6th September, Silesian Philharmonic (Katowice). A keynote by Prof. Anne L’Huillier (Nobel Prize in Physics 2023, attosecond light pulses) will headline the ceremony, followed by the presentation of the Marian Smoluchowski Medal, PTF’s highest distinction, and an evening concert dedicated to Maria Goeppert-Mayer and Wojciech Kilar.
Scientific sessions – 8th–11th September, University of Silesia (Humanities Faculty, former Physics Building). Plenary lectures, parallel sessions and posters will span particle physics, astrophysics, quantum optics, condensed matter, physics education and applications. Dedicated tracks will showcase young researchers and university–industry collaboration, including updates from CERN, GSI/FAIR and ELI alongside Polish R&D centres.
Student competition – InnoFusion. Two categories (talk and poster), with prizes of PLN 2,000 and PLN 1,000 respectively, rewarding scientific merit, presentation quality and innovation potential.
Public debate – 11th September
A flagship, public debate—“The role of physics and physicists in key areas of public life: medicine, cybersecurity, brain processes, artificial intelligence …”—will take place on 11th September (11:20) with audience Q&A. Speakers include Prof. Krzysztof Składowski (National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice), Prof. Col. Marek Życzkowski (Institute of Optoelectronics, Military University of Technology, Warsaw), Prof. Tadeusz Marek (Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University), and physicists Prof. Paweł Olko (IFJ PAN, Kraków), Assoc. Prof. Piotr Kolenderski (Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń) and Prof. Stanisław Drożdż (IFJ PAN, Kraków). Assoc. Prof. Jerzy Grębosz (IFJ PAN) will moderate. The session will explore how physics tangibly advances early cancer diagnosis and treatment, critical-infrastructure resilience to cyberattacks, understanding of brain dynamics, and the responsible use of AI in schools, administration and business.
Katowice & Chorzów: science in the city
Events are hosted not only on campus but also across the city: the Silesian Philharmonic for the opening and a final session on 11th September at the Planetarium – Silesian Park of Science (Chorzów), featuring an 8K projection dome, GOTO Chiron III projector, physics simulators and Poland’s largest refracting telescope—an ideal setting to discuss learning by experience and the role of public spaces in a science-literate society.
About the Polish Physical Society (PTF)
Founded in 1920, PTF unites more than 1,500 members across regional branches and topical sections. It advances research, education and outreach; publishes Postępy Fizyki (Advances in Physics), runs competitions and conferences, and awards prestigious prizes for scientific and teaching excellence. PTF actively cooperates with international bodies, including the European Physical Society (EPS).
Media & further information
- Event website: 49zfp.us.edu.pl | Organisers: Polish Physical Society & University of Silesia in Katowice.
- Press contacts: Andrzej Wilczek – +48 735 034 067, 49zfp@us.edu.pl, Krzysztof Petelczyc – +48 603 783 179, media@ptf.net.pl
