Andrzej Kostrzewski

Abstract

The analysis of the state of geography in Poland between 2014 and 2019, supplemented by previous research, highlights the increasing disciplinary distinctiveness of geography within the Polish scientific system. Despite the ongoing transformations in the organisation and management of science, the development of geography continues to be shaped both by internal scientific trends and by external socio‑political factors.

After World War II, geography in Poland maintained a multidisciplinary profile, integrating physical and socio‑economic geography under a common organisational structure. However, post‑1990 reforms gradually introduced a dual‑area model of development, and recent years (after 2018) have seen increasing tendencies toward organisational separation between physical and socio‑economic geography. This process of disintegration, observed across many disciplines, has also affected geography, raising concerns about the need for reintegration around regional geography as a synthesis, grounded in solid methodological and subject‑matter foundations.

The diagnosis was based on a survey conducted among 15 geographical centers, of which 10 centers submitting complete responses. These data are considered representative for evaluating the state of geography in Poland. The survey covered aspects such as organizational structure, research directions, publishing activity, staff composition, and participation in research projects and scientific organisations.

The organizational structure of geographical units has undergone substantial changes compared to the previous period (2009‑2013). As of 2019, among the 10 centers, there were 6 independent faculties, 9 institutes, 31 departments, 49 divisions, 50 laboratories, and 15 field stations. A notable feature is the marked decline in the number of field stations, which may negatively impact field‑based research and education, essential components of geographical studies.

Employment trends between 2014 and 2019 show a modest overall increase in the number of scientific staff. However, a detailed analysis reveals important shifts: while the number of full professors rose modestly, a more dynamic growth was observed in the number of habilitated doctors, whereas the number of doctoral degree holders slightly decreased. The distribution of staff remains uneven among centers, with the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań employing the highest number of researchers. This highlights the importance of promoting greater staff mobility and creating opportunities for the employment of young academics across different centers.

Research directions across centers show considerable thematic diversity, both in physical and socio‑economic geography. Physical geography research continues to focus on contemporary geomorphological processes, palaeogeography, climatology, bioclimatology, and palaeoecology. Socio‑economic geography, meanwhile, addresses regional transformations, rural change, and spatial organization processes. However, the absence of clearly identified research priorities constitutes a notable weakness, pointing to the need for developing more synthetic and interdisciplinary studies.

The dissemination of research results remains an important aspect of academic activity. The number of journals published by geographical centers has decreased slightly, a trend seen as positive, since an excessive number of journals often leads to a dilution of quality. Concentrating efforts on fewer, higher‑impact journals would enhance the international visibility of Polish geography.

Scientific productivity, measured in the number of publications, varied significantly across centers. Poznań and Kraków (Jagiellonian University) achieved the highest outputs. A detailed analysis of the publication structure shows some centers focusing predominantly on physical geography, while others leaned towards socio‑economic topics. This differentiation often reflects the internal staffing structure of the centers.

Participation in national and international research programs is another indicator of scientific activity. Between 2014 and 2019, 74% of projects were nationally funded, although the share of international projects has increased compared to earlier periods. Centers such as the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Jagiellonian University exhibited particularly strong research engagement, with the latter excelling in international project participation.

The presence of Polish geographers in governing bodies of scientific organizations also remains strong, particularly among researchers from Poznań and Wrocław. Nevertheless, compared to earlier periods, no significant increase in such involvement was recorded.

The analysis concludes with several recommendations: there is a pressing need to clearly define the disciplinary identity of geography within the broader system of Earth sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences. This requires promoting methodological development, enhancing the use of GIS methods, increasing student fieldwork opportunities, supporting student scientific associations, and strengthening links with European research networks.

Despite many challenges, Polish geography continues to demonstrate significant research potential. The dynamic development of GIS‑based methodologies, the growing number of publications in international journals, and successful participation in national and international research programs affirm the discipline’s evolving role in the modern scientific landscape. However, continued efforts are required to reintegrate the field, to foster higher standards in doctoral research, and to strengthen the overall academic standing of geography within both national and global contexts.

Keywords: geography in Poland, science system, geographical centers, staff structure, research directions

Andrzej Kostrzewski [andrzej.kostrzewski@amu.edu.pl], Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Nauk Geograficznych i Geologicznych
Marek Degórski [m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Maciej Jędrusik [m.jedrusik@uw.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Warszawski, Wydział Geografii i Studiów Regionalnych
Kazimierz Krzemień [kazimierz.krzemien@uj.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Wydział Geografii i Geologii
Andrzej Lisowski [alisowski@uw.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Warszawski, Wydział Geografii i Studiów Regionalnych
Mikołaj Majewski [mikolaj.majewski@amu.edu.pl], Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Nauk Geograficznych i Geologicznych

Citation

APA: Kostrzewski, A., Degórski, M., Jędrusik, M., Krzemień, K., Lisowski, A., & Majewski, M. (2025). Diagnoza stanu geografii w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w.. Przegląd Geograficzny, 97(4), 447-462. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.4.5
MLA: Kostrzewski, Andrzej, et al. "Diagnoza stanu geografii w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w.". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 4, 2025, pp. 447-462. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.4.5
Chicago: Kostrzewski, Andrzej, Degórski, Marek, Jędrusik, Maciej, Krzemień, Kazimierz, Lisowski, Andrzej, and Majewski, Mikołaj. "Diagnoza stanu geografii w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w.". Przegląd Geograficzny 97, no. 4 (2025): 447-462. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.4.5
Harvard: Kostrzewski, A., Degórski, M., Jędrusik, M., Krzemień, K., Lisowski, A., & Majewski, M. 2025. "Diagnoza stanu geografii w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w.". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 4, pp. 447-462. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.4.5