Second Edition of the Open Lecture Series
We invite all enthusiasts of exploration, travel, and science to the second edition of the open lecture series “Great Expeditions – In the Footsteps of Kraków’s Naturalists,” which we proudly continue in 2026! This year, we will focus on extraordinary scientific expeditions carried out not only at the Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences (ISEZ PAN), but also in other research units across Kraków.
During six meetings, we will take you behind the scenes of modern field research — and beyond. You will discover what scientific work really looks like and learn about the challenges researchers face while conducting studies in diverse regions of the world: tropical forests, deserts, laboratories, and places accessible only to a select few. Our speakers will also demonstrate how it is possible to explore unknown worlds, identify new species, and reconstruct the history of life on Earth — all without leaving the laboratory.
In 2026, together with invited researchers from ISEA PAS, the Jagiellonian University (Institute of Archaeology and Institute of Environmental Sciences), and the Institute of Geological Sciences PAN, we will present a broad spectrum of topics related to the study of evolution and biodiversity of the animal world. The lectures will offer an opportunity to reflect on the changing role of scientific expeditions in the face of global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the protection of geological and archaeological heritage.
We will also discuss the importance of training the next generation of scientists — showing how field expeditions shape future ecologists and zoologists.
Participation in all events is free of charge, and the lectures are held in a hybrid format, enabling everyone — regardless of location — to join us on this scientific journey.
Lecture Venues
🏛 On-site
Natural History Museum, ISEZ PAN
9 Św. Sebastiana Street, Kraków
(Limited number of seats)
💻 Online
YouTube platform ISEZ PAN
link to the meeting
🕕 Schedule
The last non-holiday Saturday of each month, at 6:00 PM
(excluding summer months)
🏛 Contact
Media@isez.pan.krakow.pl
First edition of the open lecture series
In 2025, we cordially invite all enthusiasts of travel and learning to participate in lectures opened in the cycle Great The expeditions - Traces of Krakow Naturalists! As part of the lectures, which are relations with scientific and research expeditions, focusing on old and contemporary expeditions, we will take you on a virtual journey in time and space, often to remote corners of the world. The aim of the project is to approximate the sphere of science, to present the challenges that scientists face in (not) everyday work, and above all to show the still current role of basic research!
In the first edition of the series of Great expeditions, under the motto Traces of Krakow Naturalists, we will present the achievements of Kraków zoologists. We will focus on past and latest scientific expeditions carried out over the years at the Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals of the Polish Academy of Sciences. We will talk about research expeditions covering research (taxonomic, phylogenetic, genetic, paleontological, biogeographical, ecological) on the evolution and biodiversity of the animal world and the collection of zoological scientific collections. We will take you on a journey to remote and fascinating places, including North Korea, French Guiana, USA, Algeria, Japan, Madagascar and many other countries!
Lectures are held once a month (excluding holiday period), on the last Saturday at 18:00. Participation in the meetings is free of charge, the event will be conducted in hybrid form, so that, wherever you are, everyone can take this amazing trip.
The lectures can be attended by:
- stationary at the Natural Museum of the Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals of the Polish Academy of Sciences, located in Krakow at St. Sebastian 9 (Number of places limited!)
and online via Youtube,link to the meeting.