The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has announced the results of the evaluation of the quality of scientific activity for the 2022–2025 period. All scientific disciplines evaluated at Kozminski University received categories confirming the quality of their research activity. Management and quality sciences, economics and finance, and legal sciences were awarded category A. Sociological sciences received recognition, earning category A+ - the highest possible rating in Poland’s national evaluation system.
This is one of the most important institutional results for a university engaged in research. It confirms the quality of the research conducted, the significance of its outcomes for the economy and society, and the University’s capacity to carry out ambitious research projects. It also represents an improvement in the standing of two disciplines compared with the previous evaluation, while management and quality sciences maintained their position.
What do categories A+ and A mean?
The evaluation is neither a university popularity ranking nor an assessment of a specific degree programme. The Ministry assesses the quality of scientific activity conducted within each discipline separately. The scale comprises five categories: A+, A, B+, B and C.
Category A+ is the highest possible rating. It may be awarded to institutions that first meet the requirements for category A and then undergo an additional expert assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether their scientific achievements are comparable with those of leading European research institutions and whether the research they conduct is recognised and valued by the international academic community. Category A is the second-highest rating and confirms a very high standard of scientific activity in each discipline.
“This result confirms that Kozminski University is a strong social sciences institution with a broad and coherent academic profile. The highest rating for sociological sciences, together with the very strong results in management, economics, finance and law, demonstrates that we do not develop research alongside education, but as its foundation. Research enables us to understand more fully the changes taking place in the economy and society and then translate this knowledge into the quality of education and tangible value for our stakeholders,” says Professor Grzegorz Mazurek, Rector of Kozminski University.
An assessment of the entire research community
The evaluation covers three areas: the standard of scientific achievements, the financial outcomes of research, and its impact on society and the economy. It therefore assesses not only publications, but also research projects and funding secured, cooperation with external stakeholders, and the documented application of research findings beyond the academic community.
The number of employees conducting scientific activity in each discipline throughout the entire evaluation period is also of considerable importance. The scale of achievements included in the assessment is linked to the size of the research team. This means that a high category cannot result solely from several outstanding publications produced by a small group of individuals. The result should reflect the quality of the entire research community contributing to the development of a given discipline. The evaluation system considers the achievements of all employees conducting scientific activity, rather than only those of selected researchers.
“The evaluation takes the size of the research team into account, which means that a high category reflects the quality of the entire research community, rather than individual successes alone. The highest rating in sociological sciences and the three category A ratings are the result of the consistent work of our researchers, the development of international cooperation, high-quality publications, successful grant applications and research that has a tangible impact on the economy and society,” emphasises Professor Paweł Korzyński, Vice-Rector for Research and Faculty Development.
Recognised research activity
Scientific categories have practical significance for the operation of a university. Among other things, they affect the funding of research activity, the ability to operate doctoral schools and the authority to award academic degrees. They also provide important confirmation of quality for researchers, doctoral candidates and partners entering cooperation with the University.
For students and participants in educational programmes, a high standard of research activity means learning from faculty members who not only communicate existing knowledge, but also actively contribute to its creation. Research findings are incorporated into degree programmes, business cases, projects conducted with organisations and public debate. For business and institutional partners, in turn, the results confirm that cooperation with Kozminski University is supported by a strong research base, interdisciplinary teams and expertise that addresses current economic and social challenges.
The evaluation result reflects the work of the entire Kozminski University community – researchers, doctoral candidates, scientific discipline councils, departments and research centres, as well as the teams supporting project implementation, the publication of research findings and international cooperation. The highest rating for sociological sciences and the very strong results achieved in the other three disciplines provide compelling confirmation of the University’s accomplishments to date in terms of research quality, international visibility and the impact of the knowledge created at Kozminski University on the economy and society.
