Developments in Arctic international relations resulting from Russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2022 stand as the most serious crisis in regional cooperation since the end of the Cold War. This crisis has necessitated a re-evaluation of the regional governance system and an update of the political strategies of Arctic stakeholders. In this article, based on qualitative research methodology, we explore the challenges to regional cooperation in the near and mid-term perspectives, and we discuss how the current situation can contribute to a transformation of Poland's role in the Arctic, particularly in the field of science diplomacy. The study includes a critical analysis of the content of the Polish Polar Policy officially adopted in 2020, as well as its implementation. We conclude that the future of Arctic relations will be based not only on the hindered functioning of the Arctic Council but also on the emergence of new competitive forms of collaboration to be developed by Russia and its partners, distancing themselves from Western states. In such a situation and in the face of the emerging opposition between the two blocs, the role of science diplomacy will substantially increase and gain new dynamics. This, in turn, means that although Poland's Arctic policy in its present framework requires only minor conceptual correction, its implementation should be considerably built up and advanced.

The aim of the article is to present the activities of foreign scientific centres of the Polish Academy of Sciences on the examples of three out of six operating centers: the center in Vienna, Paris and the Polish Science Contact Agency PolSCA PAN in Brussels. The authors of the article combine their own experiences of the former directors of the centers: in Vienna, Paris and Brussels to reflect critically on the place and role of these centers in the scientific-research area. They point to centers’ enormous and diverse potential for disseminating and promoting the achievements of scientists, not fully recognized and used by the scientific community. Taking into account the specifics of each institution, the authors describe the ways of optimal use of their cultural and social capital, and identify common structural problems they encountered during their tenure. The article consists of the following elements: an introduction, an extensive authorial analysis of each station's activities, prepared in the form of a case study and a summary with conclusions.

The article is intended to be an appendix to an earlier discussion on the activities of the foreign scientific centres of the Polish Academy of Sciences (“Nauka” 4/2020 and 2/2021). It presents another case study, namely the centre situated in Rome – one of the eldest Polish centres abroad – its historical background and heritage as well as its recent activities. It points out also some actual present problems and challenges in order to stimulate a broader debate on how the PAS foreign centres could be better used to promote and disseminate the achievements of Polish researchers.

Through this article, the current director of the PolSCA Office in Brussels (Dr. Tomasz Poprawka) and former director of the PAS Scientific Center in Paris (Dr. Kamil Szafrański) share their reflections and thus contribute to the discussion on the functioning and role of foreign centers of the Polish Academy of Sciences. In response to the article co-authored by the former directors of the PAS stations in Vienna, Paris and Brussels – in which they initiated the debate – the authors present their own perspective on a vision of the balanced operation of the stations in three key areas: the action plan, administrative support and communication. Having in mind an effective operation of the PAS centers abroad, the authors wish to share their ideas, based on the experience to date. These include strengthening of the stations in the future, taking up new challenges and searching for innovative solutions for their continuous development, thus meaningfully contributing to the promotion of Polish science abroad. At the same time, the authors declare their willingness to take part in further discussions on the role and operationality of the Academy’s scientific centers abroad. This publication consists of the following elements: introduction, discussion of issues related to science diplomacy, lobbying and advocacy of interests, analysis of administrative issues, an outline of aspects of internal communication and external dissemination, and a summary.