The YouTube channel of the Copernicus Center gathers lectures spanning the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences (physics, cosmology, philosophy, history of science, mathematics, and cognitive science). It serves as a rich repository that popularizes knowledge and encourages dialogue between various disciplines. The inclusion of the term "interdisciplinary" in the name of the Copernicus Center is no coincidence. Diversity and a multiplicity of perspectives are its hallmarks. The content is organized to ensure clarity and facilitate users in selecting topics of interest.
Videos
The channel offers several series for viewers:
Reading Nature: This series is the brainchild of Łukasz Lamża, a member of the Copernicus Center. He reviews and analyzes the latest findings from the most prominent scientific journals (e.g., Nature, Science). Every week, he presents three articles and examines them with masterful precision. What do scientists truly reveal, why does it matter, and what are the implications for us and the world?
▹ Watch the "Reading Nature" series on YouTube.
Limits of Science: The channel hosts researchers and science communicators who discuss their studies and the latest debates across various fields—physics and cosmology, biology and medicine, psychology and cognitive science, or anthropology and archaeology. These discussions often stem from recent scientific publications. Experts explain scientific experiments, their results, and interpretations. They clarify prevailing theories and discuss new hypotheses. Most importantly, they showcase how knowledge in a given field has evolved, reshaping our understanding of different phenomena.
▹ Watch the "Limits of Science" series on YouTube.
Mini-Series on Number Systems: Tomasz Miller invites viewers into the fascinating world of numbers and their associated phenomena. He explores seemingly "obvious" aspects of mathematical reality, which, upon closer examination, reveal numerous puzzles. Concepts like ordinal and natural numbers or exponentiation, familiar since elementary school, take on new and captivating dimensions. Even surreal numbers confirm they are worthy of their name.
▹ Watch the "Mini-Series on Number Systems" on YouTube.
Our Ancestors: Łukasz Kwiatek, a philosopher and cognitive scientist, delves into evolution, animal minds, and behaviors. He also explores topics related to morality and communication, reflecting on how much of the monkey remains in humans and how much of the human exists in monkeys.
▹ Watch the "Our Ancestors" series on YouTube.
The Brain in Science: Just as our entire mental life depends on the brain, so does learning. Learning is something we do every day, often without realizing it. Mateusz Hohol examines the cognitive processes involved in learning, such as attention, curiosity, making mistakes, and consolidating knowledge. Based on current psychological and neuroscientific research, he also offers practical advice on how to learn and teach effectively.
▹ Watch the "Brain in Science" series on YouTube.
These series are just the tip of the iceberg. Additional content, like Why? On Explanation in Science and Beyond, How Beautiful! Conversations on Beauty from a Scientific Perspective, and Micro-Lab, featuring bacteria as the main protagonist, opens new avenues for exploring, enjoying, and creatively utilizing science.
The channel also provides a selection of lectures in English.
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The Copernicus Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at Jagiellonian University operates on curiosity. It explores science, tracks its latest achievements, and observes both groundbreaking discoveries that resonate widely and smaller findings that are essential for the development of significant ideas. This curiosity drives the formulation of unconventional questions, solving puzzles (often akin to detective work), and ensures that the pursuit of science never grows tiresome.
Watch the promotional video of the Copernicus Center.
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The Copernicus Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at Jagiellonian University was established in 2008 by Michał Heller, a Templeton Prize laureate, and has co-organized the Copernicus Festival since 2014.