Jacek Kolanowski
Jacek Kolanowski
Title: “Opportunities and Challenges for Early- and-Mid-Career Researchers in Trans-Sectoral and Community Engagement: A Chemical Biologist’s Methodological Perspective“
Abstract: In an era where scientific challenges increasingly require interdisciplinary and intersectoral approaches, the roles and expectations of early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) are evolving rapidly. This creates both opportunities and considerable pressures on their careers and well-being. Drawing from my experience as a chemical biologist and in leadership roles in research infrastructure, this talk will explore a personal journey navigating this complex landscape, highlighting how methodological insights from experimental sciences can enhance engagement across sectors and research community building.
I will present two case studies that illustrate these concepts. The first highlights the establishment and work of Poland’s first academic high-throughput screening facility, where I demonstrate how prioritising robust methodology and validation protocols creates a framework for improving research quality and promoting collaboration. This approach not only maximises research impact but also establishes sustainable models for research infrastructure adaptable across various sectors and contexts.
Next, I will examine the application of similar methodological rigour in science policy and advisory mechanisms, drawing from my work in Polish Young Academy and with the Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS) and Scientific Advice Mechanism for the European Commission. I will explore how EMCRs can foster transparent, inclusive, and evidence-informed policymaking, emphasising the integration of diverse perspectives into existing advisory frameworks and the importance of building international connections among EMCR organisations.
By sharing both successes and lessons learned, this talk aims to inspire EMCRs to take an active role in shaping the future of research and policy landscapes, while offering senior colleagues’ insights into the unique contributions that early-career perspectives can bring to trans-sectoral collaboration. www.linkedin.com/in/jacek-kolanowski
Bio: Dr . hab. Jacek L. Kolanowski, DSc is Head of Research Facilities and Innovation Centre at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney, Australia, and an adjunct at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences. A chemist and chemical biologist by training, he has devoted his career to enhancing the reliability of tools and technologies for studying bioactive molecules, while simultaneously building bridges between academia, industry, and policymakers.
As the founding Director of the Centre for Chemical Biology IBCH PAS, Poland’s first academic high-throughput screening platform, he championed the pivotal role of research infrastructures in maximising research impact, pioneering a sustainable model that fostered diverse academic-industry collaborations. Under his leadership, the facility managed over 30 projects worth €15 million and secured substantial industrial partnerships, becoming one of the leading partners in the EU-OPENSCREEN European Research Infrastructure Consortium. He is now continuing to promote and propagate this model more broadly outside Europe.
Dr. Kolanowski’s commitment to early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) is exemplified through his roles as Vice-Chair (2019-2021) and Chair (2022-2024) of the Polish Young Academy, where he has built international connections with other EMCRs organisations and contributed to science policy both in Poland and globally, especially in the areas of research assessment, career development, and the role of research infrastructures in inter-sectoral translation. As the inaugural President of the Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS), he successfully integrated EMCRs into the Science Advice Mechanism for the European Commission. In his subsequent roles as an observer and then Board Member of SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies), he improved the transparency and inclusivity of expert selection procedures while advocating for a more progressive understanding of scientific excellence.
A dedicated mentor and network builder, Dr. Kolanowski has contributed as an expert to designing numerous Horizon Europe programmes and initiated support for researchers from low- and middle-income countries. Through his unique perspective bridging methodology, infrastructure, and policy, he continues to advocate for equalising opportunities and engaging EMCRs in shaping the future of research and international policy landscapes.
Affiliation: Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
