How can scientific quality be reconciled with evaluation requirements? How do scientific publications influence the internationalisation of Polish science? These and other questions were discussed during the Internationalisation Day in Toruń, which took place on 28 November 2025. The theme of the meeting was “Scientific Publishing – Scientific Publications, Between Productivity and Scientific Excellence.” The event was hosted by Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
The Internationalisation Days cycle is a series of consultative events accompanying work on the National Strategy for Internationalisation, providing space for discussion about challenges, problems, and good practices in the field of internationalisation.
On 28 November 2025, the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), in cooperation with Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, organised another Internationalisation Day dedicated to issues of scientific publishing and the role of publishing in the internationalisation of science. This was the first Toruń edition of the nationwide series of NAWA consultation meetings. The event brought together representatives of the academic community, editors of scientific journals, and experts in science policy. The meeting’s main focus was the relationship between evaluation system productivity and scientific quality and excellence.
The Internationalisation Day opened with remarks by representatives of UMK and NAWA. At the opening, attention was drawn to the importance of scientific mobility and international experience in the development of research careers. On behalf of NAWA, it was emphasised that Internationalisation Days are a space for dialogue and consultation aimed at developing solutions that respond to the real needs of the academic community. The role of research and publication quality as the foundation of effective internationalisation was also pointed out.
The first discussion panel focused on the vision for the development of Polish academic journals in the context of the internationalisation of science. Participants discussed criteria for evaluating scientific achievement, the importance of sound research methodology, and the challenges faced by journals in an increasingly competitive global environment. Issues related to predatory publishers, the role of the peer review system, and the responsibilities of editors and authors were also raised. The Minister of Science joined the panel discussion, highlighting the importance of the topics addressed.
The second panel focused on the role of academic journals in the internationalisation and dissemination of research. Panelists noted tensions between global trends and the local research context, as well as the pressure of point-based evaluation metrics influencing researchers’ publication strategies. A significant amount of discussion was devoted to challenges in financing publications, the functioning of editorial offices, and the insufficient systemic support for the work of editors and reviewers. The discussion showed the need for a long-term, coherent science policy that takes into account the diversity of disciplines and models of scholarly communication.
The Internationalisation Day in Toruń was an opportunity for intensive exchange of experiences, presentation of different perspectives, and identification of key challenges facing the Polish scientific publishing system. The meeting confirmed that internationalisation should be a process based on quality, transparency, and responsibility, rather than solely on quantitative indicators. The event was an important element of the environment consultations conducted by NAWA. It was implemented as part of the project “Strategy for the Internationalisation of Polish Higher Education and Science,” financed by the European Social Funds for Social Development (FERS).
Internationalisation Day Programme (Toruń)
- 09:00 – 11:30 — NAWA consultation point on the internationalisation strategy and scientific publishing
- 10:30 – 11:30 — Registration and welcome coffee
- 11:30 – 12:00 — Official opening
- dr hab. Adam Kola, prof. UMK, Vice-Rector for Science, UMK
- dr Wojciech Karczewski, Director General of NAWA
- prof. Bronisław Sitek, SWPS University, Chair of the Council for Scientific Excellence
- Special address: dr Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
- 12:00 – 13:30 — Vision for the development of Polish journals in the context of internationalisation
Moderated by dr Łukasz Gołota, NAWA Deputy Director; panelists included government, university, and publishing representatives. - 13:30 – 13:45 — Coffee break
- 13:45 – 15:15 — The role of journals in internationalisation and research dissemination
Moderated by dr Adam Marszałek; panelists included academic editors and professors from multiple universities across Poland. - 15:15 – 15:30 — Q&A session
- 15:30 – 15:40 — Summary and closing
- 15:40 – 15:45 — Family photo
- 15:45 – 16:30 — Lunch and consultation networking
Location: Auditorium Hall C.1.10 at the Physics Institute, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziądzka 5/7, Toruń.