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Jack Haven’s Little Death Is the Bloody, Beating Heart of ‘Camp Miasma’
The actor’s silent performance is the glue that binds Jane Schoenbrun’s meta slasher romance together.
Shatema Threadcraft Receives the 2026 Victoria Schuck Award for "The Labors of Resurrection: Black Women, Necromancy, and Morrisonian" -
The Victoria Schuck Award is presented annually by the American Political Science Association (APSA) to honor the best book published on women and politics. Citation from the Award Committee: The committee found Shatema Threadcraft’s The Labors of Resurrection: [...]
Tennessee commit David Gabriel Georges headlines top 15 running backs entering 2026 season
USA TODAY Sports takes a look at the top running backs going into the 2026 high school football season.
Shatema Threadcraft Receives the 2026 Ralph J. Bunche Award for "The Labors of Resurrection: Black Women, Necromancy, and Morrisonian Democracy" -
The Ralph J. Bunche Award is presented annually by the American Political Science Association (APSA) to honor the best scholarly work in political science that explores the phenomenon of ethnic and cultural pluralism. Citation from the Award [...]
Rockies' Jordan Romano: Falters in save chance Tuesday
Rockies' Jordan Romano: Falters in save chance Tuesday
Debut time-travel romance is light on science, heavy on pining
“All We Have is Time” by Amy Tordoff is a love story between an immortal and a time traveler. Our immortal, Beatrix, has been cursed never to die.
Micromanager-In-Chief: President Trump Can’t Keep His Hands Off The Family Business
For a decade, Donald Trump and his family have insisted that he stopped all management of his businesses while serving as president. He did not.
Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland
Test your knowledge of entertainment with this quiz on celebrities, trends and headline-making moments. Featured this week: bikini-clad vacations, an unbelievable survival story, a post-divorce splurge and a romance decades in the making.
Chris Fleming & Irina Shayk Join Universal Rom-Com ‘The Catch’
EXCLUSIVE: Comedian Chris Fleming (HBO’s Live at the Palace) and Irina Shayk (Hercules) have inked deals to join The Catch, Universal Pictures’ new baseball-themed romantic comedy starring Emma Stone ...
Manchester City target Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli
Manchester City are reportedly keen to sign Olympique de Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli (34), according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.Such a move would mark a return for the Argentine, who was o...
Trailer for Michael B. Jordan’s ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ teases slick heists and steamy Adria Arjona romance
Check out the first teaser for Michael B. Jordan’s upcoming reimagining of the iconic art thief previously made infamous by Steve McQueen and Pierce Brosnan.
‘Pippin’ Has ‘Magic To Do, Just For You’
This week at Highfield Theatre, College Light Opera Company brings “Pippin” to life with all its enjoyable intrigue, humor, romance, illusion and battles.
Steelers’ DK Metcalf: Roman Wilson more confident in Year 3
The third-year wideout isn’t second-guessing himself like last year, Metcalf said.
Rebelle Media & Magic Hour Entertainment Execs On Romance - Comic-Con
Rebelle Media Magic Hour Entertainment founders weighed in on romance on the big screen with authors Christina Lauren & more at Comic-Con 2026.
Long-lost love story by Alan Turing rediscovered in archive
'Pryce's Buoy' is an unfinished romance tale between two men.
WWE Superstars grab spotlight at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026
Rhea Ripley and Roman Reigns were among the WWE Superstars at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026
“Heartstopper” stars still haven’t seen “Heated Rivalry”: ‘We probably have very similar experiences’
Kit Connor and Joe Locke know it’s “terrible” that they haven’t seen the spicy hockey romance.
New Study Reveals Why Ancient Roman Concrete Keeps Getting Stronger
There's more to the story than we thought.
After ‘Heated Rivalry’ mania, a very adult ‘Heartstopper’ is here
(CNN) — It takes less than 10 minutes of watching the new “Heartstopper Forever” movie on Netflix to realize this is not the same tenderhearted romance to which audiences were
The ’Gay’ Attacks on Lindsey Graham Are All About Politics
Was Lindsey Graham gay? As the author of a book about the history of gay Washington, D.C., it’s a question I’ve been asked frequently for years, and even more so since his sudden death last weekend. The South Carolina Republican’s lifelong confirmed bachelorhood, vocal intonation, and Southern dandy demeanor (if not sartorial choices) prompted many to conclude that he was, as they say in that part of the country, “light in his loafers.” Graham’s repeated attestations to the contrary had zero effect on those invested in the narrative that he was. Only about the matter of J. Edgar Hoover’s rumored cross-dressing (for which there is much circumstantial but no direct evidence) am I questioned more. Whenever I’ve been asked to speculate upon Graham’s sexuality—and speculate was all that I or anyone else could do—I always answered the question honestly. While my personal sense is that Graham was probably gay, as a journalist and a historian I cannot rely on my intuition to make factual assertions. (Gaydar hasn’t yet been scientifically perfected.) Given the absence of any known female or male romantic interests, Graham may very well have been a heterosexual unlucky in love. He might also have been asexual. Barring the highly unlikely postmortem emergence of a personal diary or some other unassailable evidence attesting to Graham’s innermost yearnings, we will never know the answer. As is depressingly the case these days when a public figure dies, a chorus of voices reveled in Graham’s passing, many of them making light of his presumed homosexuality.
Lindsey Graham, noble Roman
A lot of people want to be powerful. Very few people, as it turns out, are willing to do the things necessary to have power. This is, generally speaking, a good thing. Perhaps the greatest protecti…
What one of Emperor Hadrian's latrines is telling us about the durability of Roman concrete
One of the many marvels of the Roman world is that some of its buildings are still with us. But why have they lasted for so long when some relatively modern structures are in a state of decay after a ...
Hollywood icon Mamie Van Doren recalls the drunk MGM megastar who interrupted her first date with Vic Damone
In her new memoir, ‘You Thought I Was Dead,’ the legendary blonde bombshell Mamie Van Doren recalls a romantic night at big band star Vic Damone’s that was cut short by one of the brightest stars at MGM.
Mamie Van Doren recalls the drunk MGM megastar who interrupted her romantic first date with big band icon Vic Damone
The last of the blonde bombshells wrote in her new memoir that the “gods of Hollywood were smiling down on me” the night of the starry affair.
Kathy Griffin, 65, teases that she’s dating 22-year-old: ‘Have at it, internet’
Comedian Kathy Griffin, 65, teased a potential romantic relationship as she hinted that she’s dating a 22-year-old man: ‘Have at it, internet,’ she said.
Will Germie Bernard or Roman Wilson Be Steelers’ WR3?
The Steelers have not had great wide receiver cores over the last few seasons, but in 2026 they finally have some depth in the pass-catching room. The Steelers have a good problem on their hands: a battle for the No. 3 wide receiver spot. Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard are seemingly the third and fourth […] The post Will Germie Bernard or Roman Wilson Be Steelers’ WR3? appeared first on The Lead.
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2026 (So Far)
You'll find fantasy horror blends, samurai space opera, romantic retellings, and more in the best science fiction and fantasy of 2026 so far.
Lionel Messi is the ultimate summer romance: Why he's so beloved
I knew Lionel Messi would be the headliner of this World Cup, but I didn't expect to fall so hopelessly in love with him.
After four hours playing The Blood of Dawnwalker, I've seen combat, romance, intrigue - it's got the makings of being 2026's breakout RPG
I've played four hours of the hugely promising The Blood of Dawnwalker now which, if you don't know yet, is the new vam…
Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland
Test your Taylor Swift knowledge with this quiz celebrating the pop superstar's headline-making romance with Travis Kelce. Featured this week: wedding details, memorable moments from their love story ...
Poll finds most Americans willing to put politics aside on July Fourth
A new poll finds most Americans would celebrate July Fourth with political opponents, but many draw the line at romantic relationships.
Love, science and resurrection collide in Christina Lauren’s ‘The Romance Revival’
Under the Radar speak with New York Times best-selling authors Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings about their latest novel
Israel's tech employees cost more than US counterparts
Tech workers in Israel are currently 2.4 times more expensive than their counterparts in Poland, Lithuania, Romania, and Ukraine
7 events in Lancaster County this weekend, from an Afroman concert to patriotic events
Get your holiday weekend plans squared away a few days early.
Love and Deepspace dev cancels new love interest amid fan backlash
A little over a week of intense fan backlash has resulted in the romance gacha game rolling back the announcement of Valko
Cara Delevingne confirms she and Amber Heard were romantically involved amid actress' Johnny Depp divorce
Model-actress Cara Delevingne confirms she and 'London Fields' costar Amber Heard were romantically involved amid actress' divorce from Johnny Depp.
Accesa Hosts 5th Edition of Tech in Motion with the Theme Engineering in the Age of Uncertainty
CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Accesa hosted the 5th edition of Tech in Motion, its annual tech conference, bringing to...
Reports: Diomande agrees PSG move from Leipzig
Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomande has decided to leave RB Leipzig for Paris Saint-Germain, according to media reports. Broadcasters Sky and RMC, as well as transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, reported on Sunday that the 19-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with the French Champions League winners.
How to use AI in your dating life responsibly and effectively
Whether you love or loathe generative AI chatbots, they’re becoming increasingly involved in the business of romance.
How did the Romans build such straight roads?
The Romans have a reputation for building straight roads — but how did they do it?
Hancock eatery closes after eight months, owner puts business up for sale
After just eight months in business, Roman’s Bistro & Bar is closed and the business is for sale for $62,000.
Romanian parliament rejects PM nominee, deepening political deadlock
Adrian Veștea's coalition fell short of a parliamentary majority after the far-right AUR withheld support
Romania’s Political Turmoil Deepens After PM Hopeful Loses Vote
Romania’s prime minister nominee failed to win parliamentary approval for his proposed cabinet, prolonging a political deadlock that risks stalling key reforms for crucial European Union recovery funding.
FF7 Revelation Director Says Queer Romances Help The World Feel Real
Naoki Hamaguchi said that the presence of queer people and relationships in the remake trilogy 'enhances the world’s realism'
New-to-science spider builds trap that flings ants into the air
A spider living in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia, builds a snare trap reminiscent of a Roman-era ballista weapon that it uses to catapult green tree ants into a web 30 centimetres above
🌈 The conflictual politics of Pride events
Amid the rise of far-right and anti-gender movements, and given growing internal conflicts and divisions, many LGBTQAI+ people worry about the future of Pride events. But Francesca Romana Ammaturo reveals that throughout its history, Pride has reflected many different visions of activism and community
NASA’s Next Generation Telescope Arrives in Florida Ahead of Launch
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope arrived June 21, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the start of final prelaunch preparations
Ancient Gem Popular With Romans And Victoria's Elite Found In New Martian Rock
An international team of scientists has discovered a completely new type of rock and the mineral garnet in a Martian meteorite fragment, unlocking fresh secrets about the geological evolution of Mars.
Nicole Kidman Linked to Mystery Entertainment Executive Months After Keith Urban Divorce
Nicole Kidman is back in the romance-rumor cycle months after finalizing her divorce from Keith Urban, and the latest claim has sent fans looking for ... Read More
Olivia Wilde reveals moment she realized Jason Sudeikis romance was over
Olivia Wilde can pinpoint the precise day she realized her relationship with Jason Sudeikis was over.
Akin, an Elite Global Law Firm
Akin entertainment, sports & media practice head Chris Spicer and partners Alissa Miller and Vanessa Roman have been named to the 2026 Los Angeles Times Entertainment Business Visionaries list, which…
Former Trump aides plead not guilty to Wisconsin fake elector felony charges
Jim Troupis, a former judge who was Trump’s Wisconsin campaign attorney, Mike Roman, Trump’s director of Election Day operations in 2020, and Ken Chesebro, a former Trump legal adviser, all entered the pleas in Dane County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
Andrew Rannells reveals brief romance with Anderson Cooper inspired 'Girls' storyline
Andrew Rannells says he briefly dated Anderson Cooper when he was 25, and told 'Girls' showrunners Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner about the fling.
Lavish Roman villa discovered outside Rome's walls may have been frequented by Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius
The villa, which came to light because it was illegally excavated, was found in an area frequented two millennia ago by the emperors Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius.
Romania's president nominates Adrian Vestea as prime minister after his previous pick withdraws
Romanian President Nicusor Dan has nominated Adrian Vestea as prime minister to resolve a political crisis.
Romania president taps new PM to form government
Adrian Vestea, 52, is a leader of the Liberal party
Bayern unlikely to pursue Marcus Rashford despite holding talks
Well-known transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Bayern Munich's focus is not centred around Marcus Rashford.Despite this, there were some calls from Bayern in the past 2 to 3 weeks to...
Jennifer Lopez admits she 'would've had sex' with entire star-studded 90s movie cast
Jennifer Lopez made a NSFW confession about the 1993 movie "True Romance" cast during a podcast interview with "Office Romance" co-star Brett Goldstein.
Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland
Test your knowledge of entertainment with this quiz on celebrities, trends and headline-making moments. Featured this week: a country music comeback, a surprising celebrity romance, standout red carpe...
What Knicks fans taking over road arenas really says about the modern sports experience
These stadium invasions get romanticized as elite fandom. But presence is as much about purchasing power as it is about passion.
The 5 best Jennifer Lopez rom-coms to watch after “Office Romance”
Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein's new Netflix rom-com will leave you swooning for more.
Scientists stunned by two-headed worms—now they’re multiplying without limits - Futura-Sciences
The Unusual Reproduction of Stenostomum brevipharyngium Meet Stenostomum brevipharyngium, a microscopic flatworm that has no need for romance or even a partner when it comes to making more of its kind. This species reproduces by paratomy, an asexual process in which a new worm forms from the middle section of...
How Revolutionary Politics Make Art and Spirituality, Better
What if I told you, there’s a dynamic combination of art, politics and spirituality? One that fits our needs. One that fits this moment. It is Mass Line politics and American Romanticism.
Jennifer Lawrence To Star In Rom Com 'One Month Mark' For Apple
Jennifer Lawrence is attached to star in 'One Month Mark,' a romantic comedy with Apple aboard as studio.
Her boyfriend is handsome, attentive and always emotionally available. The catch? He's made of pixels.
Romance role-playing otome games, like "Love and Deepspace," have exploded in popularity in recent years and offer a reprieve from the bleak dating scene for many of their female fans.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave's world map is partially inspired by medieval Spain, even if the Dagdan Empire setting looks much older
The next Fire Emblem is mixing Greek and Roman influences with names borrowed from medieval Spain, but the map is completely different.
Ray Romano was ‘stiff’ in “Everybody Loves Raymond” season 1, felt nervous after getting fired from “NewsRadio”
Starring in his own show was "a little terrifying," the comedian recently admitted.
Ultrawealthy clients pay me $150,000 a year to manage their lifestyle
Roman & Erica charge their clients $150,000 to plan all aspects of their leisure and social lives and be available for requests 24/7.
Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland
Test your knowledge of entertainment with this quiz on celebrities, trends and headline-making moments. Featured this week: a red-hot new romance, runway-worthy bikini moments, candid Hollywood reflec...
Science news this week: Ötzi the Iceman used to make sourdough, Italian teenagers discover Roman villa under school, Google plans to release 64 million mosquitos, and RIP to NASA's Maven probe
June 6, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend
The Kennedys and British royal family were once romantically linked, new book reveals exactly how
A member from each of the Kennedys and the royal family were once romantically linked, Caroline Hallemann's new book reveals. The two dynasties have been connected for decades, dating back to the 1930s.
Nobody Is Happy That Yakuza Studio’s Next Game Is Performing Digital Necromancy On Tupac
"I love RGG, and I love hip-hop, and I absolutely hate everything they're doing with this angle"
Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland
Test your knowledge of entertainment with this quiz on celebrities, trends and headline-making moments. Featured this week: a red-hot new romance, runway-worthy bikini moments, candid Hollywood reflections and a smashed piano that stole the show.
Political Gridlock Saps Romania’s Fight Against Stagflation
When Mihai Bordeanu, the head of Renault’s Dacia car plant in Romania met with former prime minister Ilie Bolojan last month, he had bad news about the country’s flagship export: sales were dropping and the company needed to lay off workers.
Business in America: GM CEO Mary Barra
In our series “Business in America,” NBC News’ Christine Romans talks to the CEO of the biggest American car company about how A.I. is changing the very way cars are made, how gas prices are affecting business, and competition with China.
Italian teenagers discover 1,800-year-old Roman luxury house underneath their high school gym
After being notified by mischievous high school students, archaeologists uncovered a large and luxurious second-century Roman house near the Colosseum.
Jays Trade For Simeon Woods Richardson
It is a the second coming of Simeon Woods Richardson. You will likely remember that the Jays picked him (along with Anthony Kay) up from the Mets for Marcus Stroman back in 2019. I remember it mostly because I was in Toronto at the time and was at a game with Matt W and we […]
The Ultimate Pop Summer Romance Playlist: Taylor Swift, Zara Larsson & More
Summer lovin' happened so fast.
Ederson: What fans can expect from Brazilian dynamo
Manchester United have agreed their first signing of the summer.Both David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have confirmed that the Red Devils have agreed an initial £35 million deal for the Brazilian.At...
Jenna Bush Hager reacts to Jill Biden addressing her parents' romantic relationship in new book
Jenna Bush Hager is sharing her thoughts on Jill Biden detailing a flirtatious moment between her parents Laura and George W. Bush in her new memoir: 'A little spice in this book!'
Savannah Guthrie tries to 'fluster' Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein by pressing them over dating rumors
'Office Romance' stars Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein have sparked their own romance speculation, prompting Savannah Guthrie to grill them for answers.
'Leeds want to become that established Premier League team'
Leeds' Daniel James says it has been "really big" for him to play the minutes he has in what was a "brilliant season" for the Whites. Despite missing two months with a hamstring problem, the 28-year-old made 19 appearances in the Premier League as Daniel Farke's side finished 14th in their top-flight return. "It's been a brilliant season," said James before Wales' summer friendlies against Ghana and Romania.
Will Russia expand the war to Europe as its Ukraine push falters?
Romanian drone strike is the latest warning sign
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner's romance began with a book. Now they're married.
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner have reportedly married during an intimate wedding in London. Here's how their relationship began.
With a new number and lessons from ‘Route God,’ Roman Wilson is ‘trying to take off’ in Year 3
Roman Wilson knows his third NFL season will be big for multiple reasons. After two unproductive years with the Steelers, he’s now in a receiver...
Talks for Alajbegovic on standby, Gasperini wants more experienced players
Kerim Alajbegovic’s future is still unclear, but the Bayer Leverkusen winger is pushing for a move to Serie A. As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, the 2007-born striker has given Italy a preferential p...
WWE Clash in Italy: 5 big takeaways for Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi, Rhea Ripley and more
Romania's political crisis deepens
After Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s government fell in early May, Romania's moderate parties have struggled to chart a new course — opening the door for the far right to gain ground.
“Political Neutrality” in Education? The Fallacy of Neutrality in Academic Activities
--Fernando Romani Sales, PhD candidate in Constitutional Law at the University of São Paulo (USP),[1] and Maria Fernanda Silva Assis, MSc candidate in Law at t
Couple who sold to Pepsi for $2 billion says going into business with your romantic partner is ‘not for the weak’
Poppi’s husband-and-wife cofounders Stephen and Allison Ellsworth will be the first to tell you “there’s no such thing as balance.”
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for 3% funding target
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for better conditions
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
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