University of the Third Millennium

CHARLES UNIVERSITY — UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

WWW.CUNI.CZ

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University of the Third Millennium / 5 Introduction / 6 Education / 10 Research / 18 International Cooperation / 25 Strategic and other Partnerships of Charles University / 29 Third Role of the University / 31

Major Research Areas / 34 Catholic Theological Faculty / 36 Protestant Theological Faculty / 37 Hussite Theological Faculty / 39 Faculty of Law / 40 Medical Faculties / 44 First Faculty of Medicine Second Faculty of Medicine Third Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové Faculty of Pharmacy / 49 Faculty of Arts / 51 Faculty of Science / 56 Faculty of Science, Center for Theoretical Study, Environment Center / 63 Faculty of Mathematics and Physics / 64 Faculty of Education / 76 Faculty of Social Sciences / 79 Faculty of Physical Education and Sport / 82 Faculty of Humanities / 84 Central Library of Charles University / 86

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INTRODUCTION

The Charles University management and academic In the near future, the priority of development community are always striving to fulfill the is not to continue to increase the number of key principles of the university activities. The students; instead, we have to focus on the quality emphasis is placed on the protection and further of education provided. As for specific numbers, development of the freedom of research and 61.5% of students were women. As for age education; it’s vital that the university keeps its structure, 16% students were older than thirty. In integrity, autonomy and independence. We also the academic year 2014–2015, 4657 academic understand the immense importance and necessity staff members are working at Charles University, of the academic autonomous government, the including 367 foreign employees. emphasis on the ethic principles of research, The studies at Charles University are very popular education and academic freedom. These are among foreign applicants. In 2014, there were the essential conditions of the free and creative 7 794 foreign students at our Alma Mater, i.e. 15% environment at Charles University. of all students. This rate is increasing moderately Charles University has seventeen faculties and yet steadily, which is in line with Charles University four University Institutes (Institute of the History priorities. Apart from the support of various forms of Charles University and Archive of Charles of student and academic staff mobility, as well as University, Center for Theoretical Study, Center courses or whole programs in foreign languages, for Economic Research and Graduate Education, the international cooperation features international Environment Center). study programs (the Joint Degree Program), For a long time, Charles University has participated in by several European, as well as offered a broad range of study programs and global, university institutions. These programs are branches. The emphasis is placed on the most frequently realized as part of the European quality improvement of study programs, and Commission program Erasmus Mundus, the their interconnection with research. During Marie Sklodowska-Curie Program for funding the admission procedure for the academic year inter -university postgraduate studies, or other 2014–2015, Charles University received more than international platforms. 65 000 applications; 88% of applicants applied for Given the position and history of Charles daily studies, 12% for combined courses. 9 735 University, lifetime education is an integral part applicants were admitted to bachelor courses, of its educational concept. The importance of this 5 060 to the follow -up master’s programs, 4 221 type of education is growing steadily these days, to non-structured master’s degree studies, and with regards to the increasing demand for flexible 1 332 to postgraduate courses; from applicants strengthening and broadening of professional admitted to all types of courses and degrees, 62% knowledge and skills. were women; and foreigners made up 16%. In the long run, Charles University is working In 2014, the total number of 50 992 students at creating conditions for fair access to university studied at seventeen Charles University faculties. education. Specifically, this features support of

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disadvantaged groups of applicants and students, the most important sources of information. As aiming at removing barriers in the access to far as science and medicine is concerned, the university education. These groups primarily most important information is published at the include applicants and students with health Web of Science. In 2014, the researchers and disabilities, or students disadvantaged due to their academic staff of Charles University published socioeconomic situation. The members of these 3500 papers in journals and magazines indexed groups can use various forms of support during in this database. The quality of the research at their studies. Charles University is proven, primarily, by the Postgraduate studies are, in accordance with citation rate in international expert papers; the profile of Charles University as a strong the H-index is generally accepted as the key research institution, considered a priority within indicator. The value of important indicators has the university’s educational activities. Currently, improved recently. all 17 faculties run accredited postgraduate study In 2014, the International Advisory Board was programs and branches. The main priority is created, to become the advisory institution of the increase of the number of foreign students the Charles University Rector, mainly to identify in postgraduate programs, and accreditation the main trends in the research and educational of programs in foreign languages. The share of activities of the university, its research centers postgraduate students from the total number and internal funding system. The mission of the of students has been about 16% of all Charles Board is to improve the international reputation of University students for quite a time (the second Charles University, and help improve the quality of highest in the Czech Republic). Meanwhile, the the research and educational activities to improve number of our postgraduate students is about the results of the international comparison, so the one -third of all postgraduate students in the Czech university can confirm its role of an internationally Republic; this share has been almost constant for renowned “research university”. a long time. In line with its long -term vision, Charles The extent and quality of the research and University focuses on the quality of its creative activities of Charles University can be international cooperation, with major impact assessed from several different points of view. on the increase of the quality of research and One of them is the number of “points” obtained education, and also on the openness of the upon the evaluation of papers, monographs and university in the international college environment. other outcomes, as part of the annual national In the academic year 2014–2015, Charles performance evaluation of research organizations. University entered the new phase of the European The international bibliography and citation Union program Erasmus+, planned for 2014–2020, databases are also important, as well as the following on from the previous education international comparison of universities and other programs Lifelong Learning Programme, Erasmus research -focused institutions. Last but not least, Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink, bilateral programs we can assess the research performance by, for and the program Youth in Action. In the academic example, the amount of finances the university can year 2014–2015, a total number of 1369 students collect via grants. joined the Erasmus program to study abroad; in For both national and international the same period, 1545 students came to study at methodology of evaluation, the international Charles University. According to the latest available bibliography and citation databases are among statistics of the European Union, Charles University

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was 12th in the ranking of outgoing students, and Charles University is home to many outstanding 7th for incoming ones. researchers, whose teams are among the best in The priorities for international cooperation the world. This is proven, among other things, by include the support of student and academic important awards received during the past year mobility, based on inter -university agreements, by our colleagues. A good example is Professor joint degree or double degree programs, Roithová from the Faculty of Science, who became postgraduate courses in the cotutelles model the ﬁrst Czech laureate of Ignaz L. Lieben Prize as part of the Post -doc fund supporting the for the development of a new method in physical visits of young foreign researchers at Charles organic chemistry, revealing ways to understand University, the CEEPUS program and AKTION Czech the key principles of chemical reactions. Another Republic – Austria. important award went to Professor Tomáš Halík As part of the inter -university cooperation from the Faculty of Arts; he is the ﬁrst Czech to program, Charles University adopted a new receive the prestigious Templeton Prize for his cooperation form – strategic partnerships. We courageous attitude in Communist times, for started with four important German universities overcoming barriers between atheists and believers, (Humboldt -Universität Berlin, Universität zu Köln, and also for encouraging the dialogue between Johann -Wolfgang-Goethe -Universität Frankfurt confessions, which is a hot topic these days. and Universität Hamburg), in accordance with the The international prestige of our Alma Mater strategic objectives and visions of all participating is also proven by the fact that the university has institutions. The partnerships focus on multilateral been visited in the past year not only by numerous and long-term cooperation in order to create important researchers, representatives of many common research projects, study programs universities from all over the world, but also by involving the participation of students and young a number of statesmen and diplomats. These researchers, and further development of the meetings were always a big success. As for global selected key branches. leading researchers and scientists, I would like In 2015, the Charles University management to point out – apart from the visit of the Oxford met the representatives of the world’s leading University Rector, Mr. Andrew Hamilton – the universities in Geneva to discuss the topic visit of the CEO of the European Organization for “UniversCities”. Meetings with the representatives Nuclear Research (CERN), Professor Rolf-Dieter of the partner universities Leiden University and Heuer, who came to Prague to celebrate the 60th Heidelberg University were also very interesting. anniversary of this institution. His lecture had Without any doubt, these meetings improve a positive response from our students, and not only the Charles University reputation, proving the from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, as a university is a sound partner in science, research long-term CERN collaborator. As for statesmen and and studies alike. The University also prepared diplomats, I’d primarily like to point out the visit of successful Charles University Days in Paris, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, including meetings with alumni, presenting its Mr. Joachim Gauck, a guest of Charles University activities, successes and offer to its academic and several times. Also the Secretary General of the UN, research partners. There’s also A Day in Brussels, in Mr. Ban Ki-moon, was greatly interested in our work cooperation with the Czech, again very positively as were other foreign guests. responded to by the Charles University alumni Building and development is carried out in line working at present in Brussels. with the long-term plan of the Charles University

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development. This plan involved further preparatory position among the best universities in the world, works aimed at solving the issue of insufficient and it scored high in several branches such as existing facilities, especially at faculties focused on mathematics, physics, pharmacy, philosophy, humanities and social sciences, and development linguistics, modern languages, geography etc.. of areas for top notch sites in scientific and Another inspiration for Charles University’s medicinal branches. The priority in this area was the further development is another type of realization of new university campuses. international comparison, the outcome of which is Valued feedback for Charles University, not a chart with rankings but an overview of the monitored every year, is the international schools’ results in various indicators. In terms of comparison. Apart from the charts that have research activities, such comparisons include, for existed for more than a decade, several others example, SCImago Institutions Rankings, newly have been created, such as the Best Global incorporating the evaluation of innovations and Universities chart, assessing the research and visibility of universities/colleges on the internet, creative activities of colleges and universities or Leiden Ranking, with the most elaborate using their reputation, bibliometric indicators, bibliometric indicators. and the quality of postgraduate studies. In the The founder of our university Bohemian first issue, Charles University finished in shared King and Roman Emperor Charles IV wished 179th place, together with Johann Wolfgang the university to be equal to the best Goethe -Universität Frankfurt am Main and Korea European universities of his time. I deeply Advanced Institute of Science and Technology believe that in recent years, we have together (KAIST). In Europe, Charles University finished done everything to make this big task and 67th, making it to the Top 100 in mathematics, historic legacy happen. physics, botany and zoology. In the three best- -known charts, i.e. Academic Ranking of World Quod bonum, faustum, felix, fortunatumque sit! Universities, Times Higher Education World University Rankings and QS World University Tomáš Zima Rankings, Charles University defended its Rector of Charles University

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EDUCATION

in 58 bachelor’s programs with 203 courses, 26 master’s programs with 57 courses, and 59 follow-up master’s programs with 244 courses. While the number of accredited bachelor’s programs has been constant for a long time, the number of follow-up master’s programs is increasing steadily, which is in line with the long-term strategy of Charles University. The decrease in the number of the non-structured master’s programs is caused by the transition to structured programs, already completed at Charles University. The biggest number of study programs (93) involves humanities and social sciences, followed by healthcare, medicine and pharmacy (79) and the science group (35). In the area of postgraduate studies, the total number of 213 programs was accredited at Charles University, with 166 courses (some postgraduate programs, especially in medicine and science, don’t break down into courses). Of these accredited study programs and courses, the studies are realized in 160 postgraduate programs and 146 courses. The number of realized programs is caused by the fact that numerous study programs, with the standard studying period of 3 years, were replaced by programs with The offer of study programs and courses has 4 -year standard studying period, and students been always pretty rich at Charles University, as gradually ﬁnish them. Most postgraduate study it’s linked to the research activities of respective programs are also available in English. sites. At the moment, 163 accredited study In 2014, 50 992 students studied at 17 Charles programs are open in the undergraduate studies, University faculties. The vision and priorities with more than 600 courses, 60 bachelor’s, of Charles University, in terms of development 41 master’s and 62 follow-up master’s programs in the upcoming period, involve not increasing with 210 bachelor’s, 130 master’s and 268 follow- the number of students but putting more -up master’s courses. Of these accredited study emphasis into the quality of education instead. programs and courses, the studies are realized The female/male student rate is 61.5% to 38.5%,

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i.e. similar to 2013. As for the age structure, 16% Centre national de la recherche scientique, and of students are older than 30 years; almost half of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, these students study postgraduate programs, and to create a platform for French-Czech cooperation almost one third study courses focused on social in humanities and social sciences, as part of the sciences. Given the demographic development, French Institute for Research in Social Sciences it’s possible to expect the number of students (CEFRES). Upon the request of Prague-based over 30 to grow. Advance Health Management Institute (AI), an The bachelor’s programs were attended agreement was signed with the University of by 18 560 students, the non-structured Minnesota, School of Public Health, USA, covering master’s programs by 15 222, the follow-up the research cooperation and study program master’s programs by 9 559, and the postgraduate Master of Healthcare Administration, aimed at doctoral programs by 7 651 students. Overall, most management in healthcare business, in cooperation of the students studied full-time (80%), with 20% with our American partner and AI. of students using the combined form. This rate has In the long run, Charles University aims to create been stable for a long time. conditions for fair access to university education. The highest numbers of students studied medicinal and pharmaceutical courses, and also courses focused on social sciences. The third largest group consisted of students of science- -focused and educational courses. As for faculties, the largest are Faculty of Arts (7 304 students), Faculty of Education (5 408) and the First Faculty of Medicine (5 232). Studies at Charles University are continuously popular among foreign applicants. In 2014, there were 7 794 foreign students at the university, i.e. 15% of all students. This rate has been continuously increasing by small increments. A large part of study programs at Charles University are accredited in English. According to permanent residence, the majority of foreign students come from Slovakia; other large groups are students from Russia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Federal Republic of Germany, Norway and Ukraine. In 2014, the courses were successfully completed by 8 600 in bachelor’s, master’s and postgraduate doctoral programs (of all successful graduates, 39% completed bachelor’s programs, 53% graduated in master’s programs, and 8% completed doctoral postgraduate studies). Charles University has also signed a contract with the French Embassy, French Academy of Sciences,

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Speciﬁcally, this includes support of disadvantaged 53 000 registered users and 5900 established groups of applicants and students, aiming at courses, these two installations are among removing barriers in the access to university 100 world’s biggest installations of this kind. education. These groups primarily include Another Moodle installation is Moodle applicants and students with health disabilities, or MEFANET, used at all faculties of medicine in students disadvantaged due to their socioeconomic both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. A Wiki situation. The latter group includes mainly platform has also been developed. The most students from low-income families, or students advanced Wiki application at Charles University is with dependent children. The members of these Wikiskripta at the First Faculty of Medicine. More groups can use various forms of support during the Wiki applications are available at the Faculty of studies. Education, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Law, and Charles University, as a modern university for the Environment Center. The tools used at Charles 21st century, offers education, in standard, and also University are supplemented by the tools provided electronic form – e-learning. As part of the central by the CESNET Association (Czech Education and support, users can use the installations of Moodle Scientiﬁc NETwork), such as ownCloud, Filesender, UK, available for the whole university. Moodle Foodle, data storages, etc. The importance of is a software tool designed to support both full electronic sources of information steadily increases. tuition and distance learning via online courses, At present, Charles University has 212 000 e-books available on the internet. With approximately and 101 000 e-magazine titles available.

STRUCTURE OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF International study programs at Charles University (2014) Structure of the academic staff

Professors 11% 12 21% Associate professors 17% 9 Senior assistant professors 8% Assistant professors 6 7% Lectors 3 36% Others 0 Joint Degree Cotutelle Erasmus Mundus

Structure of study programs at Charles University Number of contracts on cooperation with universities

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Bachelor’s

18% 128 Master’s (5 to 6 years) 23 27 6% Master’s (2 to 3 years)

59% Postgraduate doctoral 5 17%

5 5 Structure of the academic staff

Professors 11% 21% Associate professors 17% Senior assistant professors 8% Assistant professors 7% Lectors 36% EDUCATIONOthers 13

STRUCTUREStructure OF STUDY of study PROGRAMS programs at Charles AT University CHARLES UNIVERSITY

Bachelor’s

18% Master’s (5 to 6 years)

6% Master’s (2 to 3 years)

59% Postgraduate doctoral 17%

INTERNATIONALInternational study programs STUDY at Charles PROGRAMS University (2014) AT CHARLES UNIVERSITY

0 Joint Degree Cotutelle Erasmus Mundus

Number of contracts on cooperation with universities

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128 23 27

5 5 14 ZÁHLAVÍ

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STRUCTURE OF STUDENTSStructure of students

Students of bachelor’s programs

15% Students of master’s programs (5 to 6 years)

36% Students of master’s programs (2 to 3 years) 19% Students of postgraduate doctoral programs

30%

FOREIGN STUDENTS Percentage and number of foreign students

Structure of students based on the areas of education Percentage Number 16% 8000

1% 2% Natural sciences 15.25% 7750 Technical branches Medical, healthcare and 15% 1% 14.5% 16% pharmaceutical7500 sciences Social sciences and services 9%

Percentage of students 13.75% Economics7250 28% Number foreign of students 2% Law and public administration 13% 7000 Educational, teaching and social welfare 26% 2012 2013 2014 Year Psychological branches

Cultural and art branches

UK_2.indd 15 Number of e-learning courses 02.11.15 7:14

6000

4500

3000

1500

0 2012 2013 2014 Year Percentage and number of foreign students

Percentage Number 16% 8000

15.25% 7750

14.5% 7500

Percentage of students 13.75% 7250 Number foreign of students

16 CHARLES UNIVERSITY – 13% UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM 7000 2012 2013 2014 Year

E-LEARNINGNumber COURSES of e-learning courses

6000

4500

3000

1500

0 2012 2013 2014 Year

LIFELONG LEARNINGNumber of lifetime PROGRAMMES education courses

Number of participants Number of courses 30000 600

20000 400

10000 200 Number courses of Number of participants

0 0 2012 2013 2014 Year

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2% Natural sciences 1% Technical branches 4% 8% Medical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sciences 26% Social sciences and services 24% Economics

Law and public administration 3% Educational, teaching and social welfare 1% 32% Psychological branches

Cultural and art branches Number of lifetime education courses

Number of participants Number of courses 30000 600

20000 400

10000 200 Number courses of Number of participants

0 EDUCATION 0 17 2012 2013 2014 Year

STRUCTURE OF StructureLIFELONG of lifetime LEARNING education courses PROGRAMMES

2% Natural sciences 1% Technical branches 4% 8% Medical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sciences 26% Social sciences and services 24% Economics

Law and public administration 3% Educational, teaching and social welfare 1% 32% Psychological branches

Cultural and art branches

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RESEARCH

Citation rate of scientiﬁc publications according to the Web of Science Outcomes in the following categories: Article, Review

Charles University Czech Republic (average)

1,5

1,125

The long-term success of the most important research outcomes, Charles University is – together universities in the world is based on the with the institutes of the Czech Academy of 0,75 cultivation of intellect and talent of students Sciences – consistently the most effective research in an environment where top -level research is institution in the Czech Republic. Based on the 0,375 encouraged. This concept is also observed by criteria used in the assessment, the university Charles University. Therefore, research is an caters for 20 to 30% of the research performance essential component of the university’s primary of the whole country. 0 activities. The research -focused nature of Charles For both domestic and international assessment 2012 2013 2014 University has strengthened during recent years. methodology, international bibliographic and Year According to various external assessments of citation databases are important sources of

Numbers of shared publications with selected UK_2.indd 18 02.11.15 7:14 world’s leading universities (2004–2014)

1400

1200

1000

800

900

400

Number shared of publications 200

0 University Imperial College Université Pierre Universität Lomonosov Moscow Universiteit of Washington London et Marie Curie München State University van Amsterdam US GB FR DE RU NL ARWU = 15 ARWU = 22 ARWU = 35 ARWU = 49 ARWU = 84 ARWU = 120 Total mobility of students and academic staff (mimo Erasmus a krátkodobé pobyty)

Outgoing Incoming

4000

3000

2000

1000 RESEARCH 19

0 Students Academic staff

Number of scientiﬁc publications according to the Web of Science Outcomes in the following categories: Article, Book, Book Chapter, SCIENTIFICBook Review,PUBLICATIONS Letter, Proceedings Paper, (WEB Review OF SCIENCE)

4000

3750

3500

3250

3000 2012 2013 2014 Year

CITATION RATE OF SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS (WEB OF SCIENCE) Citation rate of scientiﬁc publications according to the Web of Science Outcomes in the following categories: Article, Review

Charles University Czech Republic (average)

1,5

1,125

0,75

0,375

0 2012 2013 2014 Year

Numbers of shared publications with selected UK_2.indd 19 world’s leading universities (2004–2014) 02.11.15 7:14

1400

1200

1000

800

900

400

Number shared of publications 200

0 University Imperial College Université Pierre Universität Lomonosov Moscow Universiteit of Washington London et Marie Curie München State University van Amsterdam US GB FR DE RU NL ARWU = 15 ARWU = 22 ARWU = 35 ARWU = 49 ARWU = 84 ARWU = 120 Citation rate of scientiﬁc publications according to the Web of Science Outcomes in the following categories: Article, Review

Charles University Czech Republic (average)

1,5

1,125

0,75

20 CHARLES UNIVERSITY – 0,375UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

0 2012 2013 2014 Year

SHARED PUBLICATIONS WITH SELECTED LEADING UNIVERSITIESNumbers of shared (2004–2014) publications with selected world’s leading universities (2004–2014)

1400

1200

1000

800

900

400

Number shared of publications 200

Publication cooperation in WoS in 2012–2014 PUBLICATIONS INOutcomes COOPERATION in the following categories: IN WOS Article, ReviewIN 2012–2014

Charles University only

17,5% National cooperation

International cooperation

53.0% 29,5%

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Share in the publication activities of the Czech Republic (based on WoS) Outcomes in the following categories: Article, Book, Book Chapter, Book Review, Letter, Proceedings Paper, Review

25%

20%

15%

10%

0% 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Rok RESEARCH 21

information. For science -based and medicinal accepted as the key indicator. For Charles courses, the most important are the data in University, this index reached the value 76 for the Web of Science. In 2014, Charles University outcomes published between 2012 and 2014. academics and researchers published 3 500 The value of important indicators has improved papers in the journals indexed in this database, recently. achieving the same results as the Academy of In 2014, just like in previous years, Charles Sciences of the Czech Republic, and reaching University ranked among the world’s best almost 30% share in the country’s results. universities in international comparisons. For Also the number of papers created due to example, based on the traditional Leiden Ranking, the cooperation between Charles University 5% of Charles University publications from 2009 and other domestic or international research to 2012 are in the top 10% of the most cited institutions increased. The quality of the research papers in their respective branches. is indicated, primarily, by the citation rate in the In the three best-known rankings, i.e. Academic international journals; the H-index is generally Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher

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Education World University Rankings and QS Now Charles University gained 14 projects as part World University Rankings, Charles University of the 8th EU framework program “Horizon 2020”, defended its position among the top 2% in the starting in 2015. Also stronger is the involvement world, and it scored high in several disciplines in programs supporting the international research (e.g. mathematics, physics, pharmacy, linguistics, cooperation (KONTAKT, COST, INGO, EUPRO), modern languages, geography, etc.). Erasmus+, Public Health program, and several In the first issue of another ranking, Best Norwegian Fund calls. Global Universities, assessing the research and The essential objective of Charles University creative activities of universities using their is to create conditions for the development of reputation, bibliometric indicators, and the various research areas, support good -quality quality of postgraduate studies, Charles University teams from the faculties and young gifted finished in joint 179th place, together with Johann researchers, encourage cooperation between Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main courses and faculties, and therefore gain from the and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and diversity of Charles University courses. For more Technology (KAIST). In Europe, Charles University information on research at Charles University, see finished 67th, making it to the Top 100 in the later chapter: “Major Research Areas”. mathematics, physics, botany and zoology. With the increasing international prestige of our university, also is the international cooperation in RESEARCH CENTRES research is strengthening. Given the multinational nature of scientific knowledge, international The building and development is carried out cooperation is an essential aspect of research. in line with the long -term plan of the Charles The European Centre was established in 2014, University development. This plan involves further with its mission to provide administrative support preparatory works aimed at facilities, humanities for researchers in participating in European and social sciences, and development of centers research and mobility projects. The aim of the for top notch sites in scientific and medicinal center is to increase the number of international branches. The priority in this area, based on the grants and strengthen Charles University’s position current stage of development of each project, reputation as a “research university”. The Centre was the realization of new university campuses collaborates with renowned scientific institutions in Pilsen, Hradec Králové and Vestec near Prague in the Czech Republic and more broadly in Europe, (Biocev). involving it in decision-making on matters of During 2014, the last construction works were science policy. Finally, the center works hard finished in the 1st stage of the campus near the to create a university-wide strategy to increase Faculty Hospital Pilsen (FNP) in Pilsen-Lochotín, the university’s success in the competitive and in October 2014, the opening ceremony of environment for European Research Council the new facilities took place. The new university (ERC) grants. To this end, with the support of the medicinal centre features the theoretical institute European Centre, the university has managed building, designed primarily for the education to obtain more of the international projects and of students (UniMeC), and the building of the awards granted. Biomedical Centre – the institute aimed at The university staff joined primarily the research and development (BioMediC). The new 7th framework program of the European Union. educational facilities of UniMeC accommodate five

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theoretical institutes of the Faculty of Medicine of Regional Development, via the operational in Pilsen (biophysics, biology, pharmacology and program “Research and development for toxicology, physiology and pathologic physiology). innovations”. BioMediC features two buildings with labs and In Prague-Albertov, the new Charles University studies with the total area over 4 000 m2. The campus will be built. New facilities of Biocentrum work of the center will support the long-term and Globcentrum will be built in this beautiful cooperation of the faculty and the Pilsen Faculty location in the heart of Prague, to be shared by Clinic. The center will focus on biomedical research the Faculty of Science, First Faculty of Medicine, and development, especially in organ replacement and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. and regeneration. Biocentrum will explore new biotechnologies Mephared I is a shared project of Faculty and analyze biodiversity, while Globcentrum will of Medicine in Hradec Králové and Faculty of investigate the planetary climatic changes, plant Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, aimed at building species distribution, and natural risks. In 2015, of the ﬁrst facility of the new campus. The the open international architecture competition development of the new campus will help the will be called, and the campus should open in the university improve the quality of education, and beginning of 2022. enable translation of the basic research into The centre for transfer of knowledge and clinical application. The centre was opened in technologies (CPPT UK) is currently going through October 2015. changes in order to improve the services provided The aim of the project BIOCEV (Biotechnological for the faculties, and to facilitate translation of and biomedical centre of the Academy of knowledge and technologies to applications. Next, Sciences and Charles University in Vestec) is to the main mission is to build the new university- build a centre of excellence of biotechnology -based innovation network to interconnect the and biomedicine. The project is realized together innovation potential of the faculties, university by Charles University (Faculty of Science, First institutes and other parts of the university Faculty of Medicine) and Academy of Sciences of structure, together with representatives of the Czech Republic, represented by six institutes. industrial and ﬁnancial sectors, government and The key funding source is the European Fund NGOs.

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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

As part of the inter -university cooperation program, Charles University adopted a new cooperation form – strategic partnerships. We started this new form of cooperation with respectable universities (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Universität zu Köln, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main a Universität Hamburg), in accordance with the strategic objectives and visions of all participating institutions. The partnerships focus on the multilateral and long-term cooperation in order to create common research projects, study programs involving the participation of students and young researchers, and further development of the selected key branches. The number of joint degree programs, realized in cooperation with partner universities, also increased, and more are now prepared. In the cotutelle model, Charles University PhD students recently visited Australia. Also the number of incoming PhD students is increasing. There’s also new legal status of contracts on the dual leadership of dissertations, presented on the Charles University web portal. In 2012–2014, Charles University signed many inter -university agreements. These included framework agreements for cotutelle with Martin- The international cooperation is one of the main -Luther -Universität Halle-Wittenberg and Universität Charles University priorities. The international Potsdam, Universiteit Antwerpen, Université Pierre, relations are focused on the quality of cooperation Université de Strasbourg, The University of Tuscia, as it affects the level of research and education, Universiteit Hasselt, Universiteit Gent. With the and also the openness of the university in the University of Toronto, Canada, we signed the international university environment. In this, we Memorandum of Understanding, and negotiated focus on using various programs and cooperation the text of the agreement on the student exchange forms to support prioritized activities. One of these program. The following inter -university agreements priorities is the support of the mobility of students were extended: National Taiwan University and and academic staff. Chiang-Ching -Kuo Foundation, China (Taiwan);

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University of Washington, USA; University of The program LLP/Erasmus was finished in Padova, Italy; University of Melbourne, Australia; 2014, to launch a new stage Erasmus+ in the Universidad de Lima, Peru; Kansas State University, academic year 2014/2015, planned for 2014–20. USA; Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico; Charles University presented the final report University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA; University on the Erasmus program for the academic year of Macedonia, Greece, Josai University, Japan, and 2013/2014 to the National Agency for European many others. Educational Programs. In this academic year, Charles University offered twenty Ukrainian Charles University realized the following mobility students to complete their studies here, via Václav program: 1106 students left for study visits, 70 Havel Scholarship. It was established for students students left for internship, 168 teachers left for who were illegitimately forbidden to study in their teaching visits, and 19 employees left for training. home countries, and were systematically oppressed We are very glad that Charles University, based and persecuted by the government and authorities. on the survey of the European Commission, Over 200 people applied for the scholarship, and finished 7th in the popularity ranking of European 17 applications were accepted. Of those applicants, universities among foreign students using the 15 started studying at Charles University. Erasmus program.

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3 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 27

0 Joint Degree Cotutelle Erasmus Mundus

Structure of students CONTRACTS ONNumber COOPERATION of contracts on cooperation WITH withUNIVERSITIES universities

Students of bachelor’s programs

15% Students of master’s programs (5 to 6 years) 128 36% 23 Students of master’s27 programs (2 to 3 years) 19% Students of postgraduate doctoral programs

5 30%

5 5

STRUCTURE StructureOF STUDENTS of students based BASED on the ON areas THE of education AREAS OF EDUCATION

1% 2% Natural sciences

Technical branches 1% Medical, healthcare and 16% 15% pharmaceutical sciences Social sciences and services

9% Economics 28% 2% Law and public administration

Educational, teaching and social welfare 26% Psychological branches

Cultural and art branches

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250

200

150

100 28 CHARLES UNIVERSITY – 50 UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

0 Textbooks Monographs E-books

OUTGOINGOutgoing and ANDincoming INCOMING students in the STUDENTS Erasmus program IN THE ERASMUS PROGRAM

Outgoing Incoming

1600

1200

800

400

0 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 Academic year

TOTAL MOBILITYTotal mobility of OF students STUDENTS and academic AND staff ACADEMIC STAFF (mimo Erasmus a krátkodobé pobyty)

Outgoing Incoming

4000

3000

2000

1000

0 Students Academic staff

Number of scientiﬁc publications according to the Web of Science Outcomes in the following categories: Article, Book, Book Chapter, Book Review, Letter, Proceedings Paper, Review

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3750

3500

3250

3000 2012 2013 2014 Year STRATEGIC AND OTHER PARTNERSHIP OF CHARLES UNIVERSITY 29

STRATEGIC AND OTHER PARTNERSHIPS OF CHARLES UNIVERSITY

OTHER PARTNERSHIPS WITH FACULTIES OF CHARLES UNIVERSITY

Austria: Medizinische Universität Wien; Medizinische Universität Graz; Universität Salzburg; Universität Wien Belgium: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Canada: Université de Montréal; University of Toronto Federal Republic of Germany: Technische Universität Berlin; Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Technische Universität Dresden; Friedrich -Schiller -Universität Jena; Goethe- STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS -UniversitätFrankfurt am Main; Universität OF CHARLES UNIVERSITY Heidelberg; Heinrich-Heine -Universität Düsseldorf ; Humboldt -Universität zu Berlin; Australia: University of Melbourne Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz; Austria: Universität Wien Universität Würzburg; Ludwig -Maximilians- Belgium: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven -Universität; Ruhr -Universität Bochum; Brazil: Universidade de São Paulo Technische Universität München; University of Canada: McGill University Cologne, Köln am Rhein; Friedrich -Alexander- Federal Republic of Germany: Humboldt-Universität -Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Albert-Ludwigs- Berlin; Universität zu Köln; Universität Heidelberg -Universität Freiburg; Universität Hamburg; Israel: Hebrew University of Jerusalem Universität Leipzig; Christian -Albrechts- Netherlands: Leiden University -Universität zu Kiel; Universität Regensburg People’s Republic of China: Peking University, Beijing France: EHESS Paris; Hopital Cochin, Paris; Institut Poland: Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Krakow Laue -Langevin; SciencesPo, Paris Sweden: Karolinska Institutet Hungary: Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem, United Kingdom: University of Oxford Budapest; Semmelweis Egyetem, Budapest

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Ireland: University College Dublin Sweden: Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Israel: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Tel Aviv Stockholm; Göteborgs Universitet University Switzerland: CERN; Eidgenossische Technische Italy: ELETTRA Synchrotron Light Laboratory; Hochschule Zürich; Universität Zürich Sapienza – Universitá di Roma; Università degli United Kingdom: Birmingham City University; Studi di Milano London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Japan: Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Newcastle University; University College London; Technology; National Institute for Materials University of Bristol; University of Cambridge; Science University of Hull; University of Nottingham; Netherlands: Erasmus MC: University Medical University of Oxford Center Rotterdam United States of America: Dartmouth College; Poland: Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie; Temple University Uniwesytet Pedagogiczny; Uniwesytet Warszawski

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THIRD ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY

The “third role” of the university, is, today, more latest results of work performed by members of important than at any point in the past. It is the academic community from the ﬁelds of science, in the interests of every university to elucidate mathematics, biology, medicine and chemistry; and explain what is happening on its grounds the self-presentation of every university should and its purpose for the given country and its also include the sporting achievements of its inhabitants. Every university should therefore take students and graduates. Today’s universities have a professional point of view with regard to a wide to play the key role as major public corporations variety of processes occurring within society, be that contribute to important societal processes they economic development, social and scientiﬁc and as places for a free plurality of opinions and issues or social aspects of the development of discussions resulting in the enrichment of society society, not to mention the presentation of the as a whole.

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One of the key activities to successfully fulfill Charles University Rector Focused on the Current the “third role” is the public relations area. Issues was founded. The members are renowned For a long time, Charles University has been people with long cooperation with Charles involved in the standard production and PR University. of events supporting the presentation of the In 2014, Charles University launched the new university (such as Bolzano Prize, Day of the cycle of lectures for academic area and general Open Doors, the Gaudeamus Fair in Prague public, The Round Table Meetings. Leading and Brno, Information Day, Rector’s Cup Run, experts of Charles University discussed important Science Day at the universities in Prague, the anniversaries of 2014. Hockey Battle, etc.). Services are also provided Since autumn 2003, the university internet for the faculties and other Charles University magazine iForum addresses current topics and departments in preparing press conferences, events at Charles University, responds to various issuing press releases, and organizing PR -based issues, and attempts to cover all areas related to and presentation events. the university activities – education and research, The public perceives Charles University as an general college/university issues, legislation, etc. important partner that provides, via numerous Its success is proven by the steadily growing experts, statements, comments and opinions number of readers. There’s also the English in the discussions on current topics and issues. section: http://iforumeng.cuni.cz/. In 2014, the That’s why the Advisory Committee for the first issue of the Forum magazine was published with a new design and editorial concept. The magazine focuses on academia and the public alike. Charles University increasingly uses social networks to support the building of an active community of followers. The profiles at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn were

Kolektiv historiků umění z Univerzity Karlovy a Akademie věd ČR harmonized visually, and the content strategy was přináší ucelený pohled na příběh barokního stavitelství v Čechách a shrnuje výsledky dosavadního bádání do velkoryse koncipované monograe. Autoři se věnují nejen tvorbě špičkových architektů, jakými prepared, with regards not only to the nature of byli Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel nebo Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, ale Barokní také dílu méně známých regionálních tvůrců, kterým dosud nebyla věnována patřičná pozornost. Výklad je zasazen do širších kulturních the respective network but also to the various a společenských souvislostí 17. a 18. století. Publikace je vybavena bohatým obrazovým materiálem, který zahrnuje reprodukce dobových plánů, půdorysy jednotlivých staveb a především vynikající fotograe architektura target groups that Charles University wants to Vladimíra Uhra a Martina Micky. address this way. Barokní v Čechách architektura Karolinum – Karolinum Press is a publishing v Čechách house of Charles University, supporting research and education in all of the disciplines taught at Petr Macek 17 faculties. The books published reﬂect this Richard Biegel wide scope spanning from humanities to natural Jakub Bachtík (edd.) sciences and medicine. Karolinum publishes scholarly monographs, journals and textbooks, ranging from specialized exercise books to general KAROLINUM textbooks used around the country. As a publisher of international scope, it strives to make individual titles permanently available in both Czech and

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PRODUCTIONProduction of universityOF UNIVERSITY publishing houses PUBLISHING (2014) HOUSES

250

200

150

100

0 Textbooks Monographs E-books

foreign markets, in the formats that readers Košnar, Lubomír (Eds.) – Archeologický atlas demand.Outgoing and incoming students in the Erasmus programpravěké Evropy (Archaeological Atlas of Prehistoric In recent years, the following important and Europe); Fučíková, Eliška – Praha rudolfínská acclaimed publicationsOutgoing can be mentioned:Incoming (Prague in the Reign of Rudolph II); Chomsky, Macek, Petr – Biegel, Richard – Bachtík, Jakub Noam – Disident Západu (Selected Texts); Le 1600(Eds.), Barokní architektura v Čechách (Baroque Goff, Jacques – O hranicích dějinných období Architecture in the Czech Lands); Horyna, Mojmír, (Faut-il vraiment découper l’histoire en tranches?) J. B. Santini – Aichel, Wittlich, Petr, Sochařství and many monographs in medicine, science and 1200české secese (Sculpture of the Czech Art Nouveau); humanities. Buchvaldek, Miroslav – Lippert, Andreas and

800

400

0 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 Academic year

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CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL FACULTY

Theology, Philosophy, and Reﬂection of Art Charles IV – Spiritual World, Foundations, as Ways of Interpreting the Reality Buildings and Their Art Fixtures

Principal Investigators: Principal Investigators: Dr. Mireia Ryšková Prof. Jiří Kuthan Prof. Vojtěch Novotný Prof. Jan Royt

The Catholic Theological Faculty focuses on the The research team of professors Kuthan and Royt important task of interpreting the reality while at the Catholic Theological Faculty of Charles using instruments of various disciplines in order to University is engaged with one of the greatest receive a unified image. Theological research aims personalities of the European Middle Ages – at interpreting history and the present in respect Charles IV (1316–1378). to transcendence, i.e. the mystery of being, which The mapping and complex working of the is not fully accessible through mere rationality; it extensive activities of the sovereign who was needs to be complemented by the hermeneutics of outstanding in his political abilities, who faith. Philosophical questioning reveals what is not contributed to the peace stability of a large self -evident in being, and is related to the essential part of the European continent, who founded appeal of man on the level of his freedom and his Prague University and as Emperor he supported responsibility. Reflection of art offers the scope and confirmed the origin of other universities of aesthetic grasp of reality and its mediation on the territory of Holy Roman Empire, is at the through a new creative act. Unifying these three heart of the research activities of the centre. He disciplines enables more complex interpreting of was among those few medieval sovereigns who the reality as related to the truth, the beauty, and were men of letters. From his great visions some the good. founding deeds originated and became permanent in the appearance of Prague and the whole of our country. Equally important is also the context of his political and founding works in the whole of Europe. Attention is paid to his sources of inspiration and spirituality as well as the response of his operations that followed.

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PROTESTANT THEOLOGICAL FACULTY

Biblical studies For the period 2012–2018 the Centre for Biblical Studies has received significant grant Principal Investigators: support from the Czech Science Foundation for the Prof. Martin Prudky major interdisciplinary project “The History and Prof. Petr Pokorny Interpretation of the Bible”. ́ Biblical studies havé for a long time been among the disciplines at the Protestant Ecumenical studies Theological Faculty with the highest profile, and a correspondingly large number of staff. Principal Investigator: Since 1999 the Departments of Old Testament Prof. Ivana Noble Studies and New Testament Studies have been strengthened by institutional cooperation with For the past five years the research conducted by other academic institutions, together with which Professor Noble and her team has concentrated on they established the Centre for Biblical Studies of three main areas: the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Charles University in Prague. (i) Orthodox theology in the West – its The research is focused in particular on the relationship to Western thought and the study of biblical texts from the literary point Western Christian traditions (a study of of view and that of literary history. For a long the ways in which Orthodoxy came to the time the attention was devoted to the literary West, of the main theological themes, the heritage of antiquity that is part of the context of personalities, confrontations and dialogues biblical studies (such as Aramaic epigraphy, New with Western theology and philosophy); Testament Apocrypha, and Gnostic literature), (ii) the relationship between theology and and to the history of the relevant regions, their culture in post -communist countries (the culture, and their religions (including institutional concept of the world as a threatened place, cooperation with the Institute of Archaeology of the concepts of memory and reconciliation; Tel Aviv University on the Lautenschläger Azeka the understanding of what human life most Expedition). A specific feature of the research is depends on and of what in the final instance an interest in methodological and hermeneutic most fulfils that life); questions, and in the later impact and reception of (iii) ecumenical hermeneutics emerging from the biblical texts. a synchronic work with the basic themes of

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fundamental theology in various Christian Orthodoxy”. At the moment Professor Noble traditions (the revelation of God and human and her team are preparing a continuation experience of God; the interpretation of project centred on the theme of theological Scripture in the tradition; the relationship anthropology in the Orthodox and Western between theology and spiritual, social traditions that aims to investigate especially and political life). These themes have the concepts of personhood, human come together under the research project relationships and hospitality towards the “Symbolic Mediation of Wholeness in Western other.

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HUSSITE THEOLOGICAL FACULTY

Confessionalism and Nationalism

Principal Investigator: Prof. Jan B. Lášek

The Hussite Theological Faculty of Charles University focuses on the following research topics: Catholic modernism at the end of the nineteenth and at the beginning of the twentieth century, confessionalism and nationalism, and secularization. Two major research schemes were concerned with these topics. In the broader theme of “Theology as a method of interpreting history and culture”, the research group led by Professor Jan B. Lášek explores the relationship between confessionalism and nationalism in the Czech Lands. The results so far indicate that when relationships between the adherents of the respective confessions are harmonious, no problems with extreme nationalism emerge. The results are published in the edition “Pontes Pragenses”, up to 2012 also in the edition “Deus et Gentes”, and also in the quarterly Theological Review HTF UK.

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FACULTY OF LAW

Legal systems of the Far East The effectiveness of consumer protection and European Law in private law

Principal Investigator: Principal Investigators: Prof. Michal Tomášek Prof. Jan Dvořák Prof. Monika Pauknerová Research is focused on interpretation of law in Far Eastern countries like China, Japan, Korea Consumer protection from the perspective and Vietnam. Beginning in the 19th century, of substantive law, conflict of laws (private these countries have been adopting foreign legal international law) and procedural law is a topic systems. Nevertheless numerous legal concepts that currently belongs among priority issues of have been interpreted in a different way. Legal the Directorate-General for Justice, Consumers transplants in the Far Eastern context thus shifted and Equality in the EU. The research focuses from their original meaning. Thus the research on both general trends (reinforcement of legal concentrates on the differences between “law certainty – substantive law, governing law, in books” and “law in action”. Furthermore in jurisdiction) and specific features of consumer Far Eastern countries, there is a strengthening protection in Czech law in terms of the tendency to promote interpretation under the so implementation of directives (substantive law, called “New Confucianism”. New Confucianism dispute resolution – litigation, arbitration, etc.). is considered particularly in China to be The project aspires to analyse the current a basis of the economic success of the country. concept of consumers and their position in law Traditional methods of interpretation of law under of obligations. From the point of view of civil law Confucianism or Buddhism can be currently a consumer is undoubtedly just one of possible observed also in Japan, Korea or Vietnam. weaker parties to an obligation; however, it is The principal research method is comparative necessary that the term be redefined and its interpretation with regard to the European contours newly outlined with regard to both continental legal system, common law system the recent recodification of private law and as well as to EU law, which has a considerable further development of the Union legislation. influence particularly in South Korea. The research The proposal for a Common European Sales team has already integrated colleagues from Law (CESL) has been withdrawn, however, at foreign Universities in Switzerland, Japan, USA and the same time the creation of a new concept South Korea. of a Digital Contract is being contemplated, which raises questions regarding further impact

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on domestic regulation of consumer affairs, its so when applying and interpreting them, it is stratiﬁcation and overlapping. It is necessary to necessary to have in view not only the protective open a debate regarding the extent of desirable purpose of relevant legal regulations, but at the consumer protection anew. Ambivalence same time seek that rights and obligations in of the term ‘consumer’ is also reﬂected in a particular case are just (fair), i.e. reasonable, relevant professional literature (in this regard balanced and in particular proportionate, not differentiation between an active consumer and one -sidedly favouring, pro -consumer approach. a passive consumer is made). A negative – and What is problematic is the assessment in cases undesirable – consequence of exaggerated when acts of a particular entity have mixed consumer protection is that it might happen that characteristics, i.e. they have the features of protection is given to consumer’s recklessness both consumer and entrepreneurial acts. Another or irresponsibility. This observation is based disputable issue is whether a professional on knowledge that when creating regulations entering into a contract with another professional concerning consumer protection, and more may be, under certain circumstances, protected

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as a consumer. The aim of this project is to of their armed forces within armed conﬂicts. The analyse the indicated issues, as well as other research aims at verifying whether the practice of issues connected therewith. international courts, criminal tribunals and other institutions acting in the ﬁeld just results in the creation of special regimes, thus contributing Compensation in international law to the fragmentation of international law, or whether it could actually bring about deeper Principal Investigator: structural changes of general international law. Prof. Pavel Šturma

Reparation (indemnification) belongs to the Analysis of the constitutional system of the topics of international law that are both Czech Republic and proposals for changes classical and very modern. The classical aspect relates to restitution and compensation as Principal Investigator: two major forms of the reparation obligation Prof. Aleš Gerloch which forms the content of the responsibility of States for internationally wrongful acts. Constitutional Law and Theory of State is one of The modern dimension of the topic relates to the key branches of jurisprudence. The importance the right of individuals and various non -state of the branch reflects not only in the scientific actors to reparations. The internationalist work but also in the benefit to the society doctrine has only started to analyse this aspect. addressing current issues of constitutional and However, the dynamic nature of international political system of the Czech Republic in the law needs to be taken into consideration. The European and global context. recent developments in this law seem to open The branch of Constitutional Law and Theory a direct access of individuals to reparation. of State develops international cooperation While individual claims increase in number, within the framework of mobility programmes inter -state disputes based on the diplomatic of the Charles University. It has a long-lasting protection are less frequent. The individualization extensive cooperation with professional practice and depolitization of international disputes is (one department member is a Justice of the generally considered as a positive trend, taking Constitutional Court, two are members of the place mostly in the international law of human Government Legislative Council, one is a deputy rights and international investment law. Even the minister and one serves as a director of the recent development in international criminal law Parliamentary Institute). has contributed to this trend, in particular since Currently several bills (both government and the establishment of the International Criminal private member’s bills) are submitted to change Court. It aims not only at punishing perpetrators the Constitution of the Czech Republic. These bills of crimes but also at indemnifying victims of such are not internally interlinked and coordinated. crimes, in the forms of restitution, compensation Simultaneously in the recent years (since 2013 and rehabilitation. The developments in the in relation to the 20th anniversary of the adoption area of international humanitarian law are less of the Constitution) a theoretical analysis of the definite, as most States show reluctance to grant operation of the constitutional system of the Czech reparation to individuals harmed by the actions Republic is being carried out. This analysis is

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based not only on the valid Constitution but also relations including comparative approaches form on the judgments of the Constitutional Court, the a central part of the analysis. Supreme Administrative Court and the Supreme The principal output of the research is Court, the constitutional practice in general as well a collective monograph on this topic including as the doctrinal opinions. Fundamental discussions a reasoned overview of proposed coherent changes of individual subsystems of the constitutional to the constitutional system of both normative and system of the Czech Republic and their mutual organisational nature.

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MEDICAL FACULTIES

First Faculty of Medicine disease, heart failure, arterial hypertension, Second Faculty of Medicine preventive cardiology, invasive diagnostics and Third Faculty of Medicine therapy, physiology and pathophysiology of Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň pulmonary circulation, acute coronary syndromes Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and thrombosis, reperfusion therapy of acute strokes, new technologies in interventional cardiology, surgical and interventional treatment Cardiovascular diseases of arrhythmias and new biological markers and prognostic factors and pharmacological and non- Principal Investigators: -pharmacological treatment. Prof. Petr Widimský Prof. Aleš Linhart Prof. Josef Veselka Prof. Jan Filipovský Prof. Jan Harrer

The research of cardiovascular diseases at the faculties of Charles University has a long tradition. In 1930, Otto Klein from the Faculty of Medicine in Prague published his unique cardiac output measurement results in 11 patients. It was the world’s ﬁrst diagnostic cardiac catheterisation in human medicine. The tradition continues today – the invasive cardiology area, including hemodynamic and therapeutic catheter interventions is still the most successful area of cardiovascular research at CU. The highest distinction of the European Society of Cardiology in 2014 – the Gold Medal was awarded to Petr Widimský for his research results in the ﬁeld of transcatheter treatment of myocardial infarction. Other areas of research of cardiovascular diseases at all Five Faculties of Medicine of the CU include: treatment and imaging techniques in coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy and myocarditis, pulmonary hypertension, peripheral vascular

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The research thus effectively covers the entire Experimental surgery uses animal models for spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, and all CU research in the ﬁeld of regenerative medicine, Faculties of Medicine are involved, which cooperate organ transplantation, traumatology of the on many projects (e.g. the internationally unique locomotor system and soft tissues and organs, series of clinical trials “PRAGUE”). study of septic conditions, cardiovascular diseases, etc. It is a combination of basic research with clinical diagnostic and treatment goals. The role Experimental Surgery of experimental surgery in preclinical testing is absolutely irreplaceable. Principal Investigators: Prof. Martin Krbec Prof. Robert Gürlich Metabolism Dr. Andrej Sukop Dr. Igor Pafčuga Principal Investigators: Prof. Ivan Landor Prof. Jan Škrha Prof. Vladislav Třeška Prof. Michal Anděl Dr. Dana Müllerová

Study of metabolic and endocrine diseases involves the genetic, biochemical, molecular, and cellular mechanisms in their development which may be used both in animal models and in human medicine. Inborn errors of metabolism and their early diagnosis and treatment are one of the key pillars in the clinical research. The intensive study is concentrated on the early stages of obesity, nutrition disorders, lipid metabolism and diabetes as well as on the research of adipose tissue and on its regulatory role. A development of widely occuring metabolic diseases supports the studies of the pathogenesis of complications with orientation to the vessel wall impairment and the markers of these changes. The interventions of the metabolic diseases involving the non-pharmacological (nutritional, regimen or surgical interventions) and pharmacological treatments are evaluated with the help of molecular biology and imunology and with the use of markers characterized the oxidative stress and subclinical inﬂammation. The discoveries have been used as the effective sources for the prevention. The endocrine disorders involve the diagnoses and treatment of the inﬂammatory and

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tumor processes of all endocrine organs including populations in developed countries. Research the research of their metabolic effects and their teams of neurological and psychiatric clinics inﬂuence on gravidity. in collaboration with other CU institutes are involved in this research by studying the mechanism of neurodegeneration in Neurosciences Parkinson’s disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, where the work focuses mainly on Principal Investigators: the genetic background, pathophysiological Prof. Evžen Růžička mechanisms and early biomarkers of Prof. Jakub Hort neurodegeneration, including sleep and Prof. Cyril Höschl wakefulness disorders. The research of Dr. Karel Ježek Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias includes longitudinal studies in the Czech Neurodegeneration is among the main population focused on risk factors, biomarkers priorities of European biomedical research and the possibility of an intervention in due to a signiﬁcant increase in the incidence early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. of neurodegenerative diseases linked to aging Unknown mechanisms of activation of the

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memory trace and its propagation across Oncohaematology chained neural networks is also studied using molecular regulatory mechanisms of blood cell neurophysiological methods. This makes it differentiation and their pathologies. Basic, possible to understand the pathophysiology of applied and translational research in the ﬁeld. memory disorders, in particular the development Namely childhood leukemias, morbus Hodgkin and of Alzheimer’s disease studied in transgenic haematopoetic diseases. animal models. Neuroscience research teams of CU are also engaged in the study of diagnostic Solid tumors markers and the relationship between clinical, Namely neurooncology, oncogynaecology, imaging, genetic and immunological parameters oncourology, pancreatic and skin cancers. in multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating and Individualization of radical surgical treatment, autoimmune diseases. Programmes focused on ultrasound implementation into the gynecological spasticity mechanisms and actions to inﬂuence oncology, hereditary syndroms and epigenetic them in multiple sclerosis and chronic spinal cord alterations in prediction and early detection of injury are also related to the above. Genetic bases cancer. Optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic and mechanisms of development of impairment processes, establishment of complex biobank. in congenital development disorders with Studies of in vivo homing of transplanted cells, a particular focus on childhood seizure disorders tumor immunology, minimal residual diseases are another important item. The research focuses in leukemia, monitoring of the response to on neurobiological mechanisms and possibilities treatment in multiple myeloma, extracorporeal of their prevention in psychotic disorders, mood photopheresis. Characteristics of the mechanisms disorders and other neuropsychiatric disorders, of the effectiveness of anticancer agents, detection including eating disorders. Last but not least, of circulating cancer cells, advanced techniques of many studies of neuropsychopharmacology of radiotherapy. pain and drug addiction are in progress.

Organ replacement, support Oncology and regeneration

Principal Investigators: Principal Investigators: Prof. Aleksi Šedo Prof. Martin Matějovič Prof. Jan Starý Prof. Vladislav Třeška Prof. Václav Mandys Prof. Jiří Petera Research activities are focused on several Prof. Jindřich Fínek areas: replacement and support of the function of vital organs in critical conditions, Experimental oncology kidney transplantation, uremic toxicity and covers mechanisms of regulations of basic cell biocompatibility of dialysis therapy. Kidney biological programs connected with oncogenesis transplantation replaces all renal functions and is (apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, currently the best method of treatment of chronic migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal renal failure. The main problem of transplantation transition, immunosurveilance). is the development of chronic graft dysfunction

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and subsequent graft failure and therefore we and to identify new toxic substances of peptide focus, in randomised clinical and molecular and protein nature in acute and chronic renal biology studies, on the inﬂuence of viral infection failure using advanced proteomic methods. on graft function in particular and we propose Unexplained pathophysiology of sepsis and the new preventive and pre-emptive procedures based lacking causal treatment of sepsis are the starting on our results. The dominant topic of research in point of systematic translation (which uses the area of compensation for organ function is clinically relevant large mammalian biomodels) the biocompatibility of extracorporeal circulation and clinical research focusing on organ, cellular and uremic toxicity. The long -term goal is to and molecular mechanisms of sepsis, including the understand the molecular mechanisms responsible development and evaluation of new therapeutic for bio-incompatibility of extracorporeal methods strategies.

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FACULTY OF PHARMACY

Study of Toxic and Protective Effects skills, knowledge, and resources in new ways, in of Drugs on Cardiovascular System order to jointly address the research problems. The research team is composed of 20 researchers Principal Investigator: students from 7 departments of the Charles Prof. Tomáš Šimůnek University Faculties of Pharmacy and Medicine in Hradec Králové. Cardiovascular toxicity of drugs is among the important complications of today’s pharmacotherapy. Numerous drugs have off -target potential to damage the heart and vessels; however, the most important problem has been associated with anticancer chemotherapy.

The main objectives of the research are:

(i) research of molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular toxicity of traditional as well as novel anticancer drugs. (ii) study of possibilities to protect the heart using established and newly synthesized drugs, including the structure-activity and pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic relationships, effects on anticancer effectiveness and advanced drug delivery methods. (iii) study of vascular protection and development of novel drugs with vascular -targeted photodynamic therapy.

This research is characterized by multidisciplinary approach – from rational design and synthesis of potential drugs, through assessment of their therapeutic effects using in vitro and in vivo experiments, safety/toxicity determinations to analysis their pharmacokinetics. This project aims to bring together complementary

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substances of natural origin, especially those with anti -oxidation activity in relation to the prevention of cardiovascular and oncologic diseases. This multi-discipline project directly follows and signiﬁcantly extends the collaboration of perspective researchers from several departments of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University in Hradec Králové dealing with study of effect of biologically active compounds in the prevention and treatment of lifestyle diseases.

Development of novel drugs against tuberculosis and its multiresistent forms as a perspective of TB treatment Study of Drugs and Other Biologically-Active Substances Perspective in Prevention Principal Investigator: and Treatment of Important Prof. Alexandr Hrabálek Lifestyle Diseases The project deals with the development of novel Principal Investigator: antitubercular agents active against resistant Prof. Petr Solich strains of tuberculosis, dissemination of which is a serious global problem. The project is based The aim of the project is to study newly used drugs on the collaboration of the Faculty of Pharmacy in clinical medicine as well as biologically -active of the Charles University in Prague and Centre substances of natural origin from the perspective of Biological Defence in Těchonín. Faculty of of the prevention and treatment of important Pharmacy deals with the design and synthesis of lifestyle diseases, especially cardiovascular and new molecules, evaluation of their toxicity and oncologic diseases and degenerative diseases in vitro antimycobacterial activity, and with the associated with human ageing. The project determination of their mechanism of action. The involves studying the influence of significant evaluation of in vivo antimycobacterial activity biological markers in the early diagnosis of is performed in Centre of Biological Defence in these diseases along with the identification of Těchonin, specialized institute fully equipped new potential biomarkers and the isolation and for handling with the most dangerous infection identification of new enzymes as a potential agents. Moreover, in vivo antituberculosis targets for the inhibition associated with the evaluation is not performed anywhere in the therapy of these diseases. An integral part of the central Europe, therefore this research is unique in project is the isolation and identification of new this European region.

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FACULTY OF ARTS

The Czech National Corpus: The Czech National Corpus (CNC) project, established research infrastructure for empirical in 1994, strives to continually map the Czech language -oriented inquiry language in all available dimensions (from the time, regional and genre perspective). The CNC builds Principal Investigators: and makes available large electronic text collections Dr. Václav Cvrček (language corpora) serving as a basis for research on Dr. Vladimír Petkevič current Czech (both written and spoken) as well as Dr. Michal Křen historical Czech and other languages. It also develops the methodology of empirical linguistic research and tools for language corpora exploration. Since 2012 the CNC has been recognized as a research infrastructure for empirical language- -oriented inquiry in many ﬁelds of social sciences and humanities (esp. linguistics, psychology, sociology, history, etc.). Thanks to its large and high- -quality language resources, the CNC is a sought- -after partner in many international research projects. Besides these activities, CNC also focuses on consulting, providing analyses for research or popularizing purposes, providing data packages for research on Czech as well as other languages for contrastive research, and automatic text processing.

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Sinology for 21st century perhaps not strictly rationalistic, foundations of ethics? Principal Investigator: To address these issues, the research team, Prof. Olga Lomová associated with the Institute of Philosophy and Religious Studies, has three thematic sub- The team of sinologists at Charles University -groups: (1) Rationality Crisis and Contemporary continues to work in the spirit of the Prague Philosophy, Art and Science, (2) Religion and School established by Jaroslav Průšek. We explore Rationality, (3) Genealogy of Rationality and various aspects of linguistic, intellectual and social Its Crises. This structure allows for a smooth transformation of China across different periods continuity with several research projects, including of time from ancient to present day China. We the multi-disciplinary programme “Rationality in employ linguistic, literary and historiographic human sciences”. approaches in creative dialogue, always keeping on mind close reading of texts of various types. An important part of our work is critical reflection Blurred boundaries of Medieval texts: on the shifts of meanings and creation of new Digital editing and interpreting meanings in the process of intercultural exchange between China and the West going on intensively Principal Investigators: since late 19th century. Prof. Martin Nejedlý Prof. Jan Klápště Dr. Lucie Doležalová Crisis of rationality and modern thought The Middle Ages are not the grey intermediary Principal Investigators: between the classical Antiquity and the Prof. Karel Thein Renaissance that they seem to be. This Prof. Tomáš Halík project aims to connect medievalists of various disciplines (medieval Latin studies, Today, like always since the birth of our individual vernacular studies, history, art civilization, the crisis of rationality is announced history, archeology, musicology and others) and feared in equal measure. There is, however, to offer a more nuanced picture of medieval something specific about the contemporary written culture in the Czech lands in European shape of this age -old discussion: in the context. Special emphasis is placed on medieval footsteps of Enlightenment, it is believed that literature in its physical aspects: the manuscript rationality shall play the main role not only, transmission, which is in its manifestations for instance, in rational choice theory, but also and implications surprisingly close to textual in ethics and political theory. This framework transmission in the contemporary digital age. sets the questions of our project: What are the This is true especially as far as the notions of contemporary forms of both rationality and the authorship, text and language are concerned – diagnosis of its crisis? How, beyond the discourse they escape easy definitions, their boundaries of humanities, does art reflect this situation, and are blurred. The medieval material challenges what is the role of religion today? What are the our preconceptions and calls for revision. At the implications of these questions for a renewed, heart of the project there is a course in digital

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editing of medieval texts organized jointly with Language and the human mind: the University of Siena, Lyon, Queen Mary in understanding the way we communicate London and Klosterneuburg monastic library, taking place within program Erasmus+ Key Principal Investigators: Action 2, Strategic Partnership. Dr. Mirjam Friedová Dr. Pavel Machač Dr. Ronald Kim Identities, Canons, Pop-culture: A Comparative Approach The project is concerned with the complex problem of language origin and language Principal Investigators: evolution, focusing on the permanent variability Prof. Martin Procházka of grammatical structure. The research is based Prof. Petr A. Bílek on close analysis of authentic language material: Dr. Jan Wiendl the everyday conversational usage as well as historical texts. Both perspectives provide Focused on the shaping of modern cultural invaluable insights concerning (i) the cognitive identities, the research ranges from the processes involved in the emergence and evolution major features of great cultural epochs, the of grammatical systems, (ii) the principles of Renaissance, Romanticism, Modernism and verbal interaction in specific socio -pragmatic Postmodernism, to the interrelationships of contexts, and (iii) the ways human mind processes literature and other arts, namely theatre and information. The project combines cognitive film. The multidisciplinary approach combining, linguistics, diachronic linguistics, experimental among others, semiotics, communication psycholinguistics, and conversational analysis. theory, philosophy and psychoanalysis explores In addition to the project’s theoretical relevance, relations between culture and technology, some of the findings may reach into certain experimental art and pulp literature. The applied areas as well, e.g. the development of project is unique in connecting advanced speech recognition tools for spontaneous speech. reflection of contemporary critical theories with an internationally relevant research in several prominent specialized fields, including Czech Egyptology and research on complex Shakespeare, Joyce and Byron studies, as civilisation and resilience processes well as contemporary theatre, poetry, fiction and critical thought of Czech and European Principal Investigators: Modernism and avant -garde. Research team Prof. Miroslav Bárta members are represented in the executives Dr. Jiří Janák of 6 international academic associations and members of international research groups. Thanks to an almost a century-long tradition, International research cooperation also includes continuity, high standard of teaching and doctoral programmes like Erasmus Mundus specialized research, the Czech Institute of Joint Doctorate Text and Event in Early Modern Egyptology belongs among the most important Europe (TEEME). Egyptological departments in the world. Its activities revolve primarily around excavations

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in Egypt and lately also in the Sudan. In the last institution: it was the first to have undertaken few years, it has become well-known also for its and published detailed satellite imaging and comparative research of complex civilizations, analysis of the pyramid fields, it sets trends in resilience processes and their implications for palaeoenvironmental studies and various applied security policies of the state, the European Union fields in cooperation with the private sector (3D and the NATO, which is reflected in numerous scanning, geophysics, etc.). conferences and seminars organized at the premises of the Czech Parliament as well as the General Staff of the army of the Czech Republic. History – transcontinental studies: The activities of the Institute cover practically all Europe and/vs the World aspects of ancient Egypt. Its defining activities center above all on the study of the 3rd and 1st Principal Investigators: millennia BC, based on archaeological excavations Prof. Martin Kovář at Abusir. The expedition of the Czech Institute of Prof. Josef Opatrný Egyptology in Egypt is the largest Czech scholarly mission abroad. The Institute is internationally Group of specialists from the Institute of World acclaimed as a leading interdisciplinary History, Centre for Ibero-American Studies,

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and individuals from other departments and of the process of European integration, economic institutes follows up purposefully with the project and social problems, demographic development, Europe and (vs.) the World: Intercontinental disturbances on its peripheries, etc.). All of this and intracontinental political, economic, is studied with respect to the increasingly more social, cultural and intellectual transfers and important global context (attention is paid also their consequences”. Under the new title, the to the position of Czech society in these relations members of the team not only study the various and the analysis of the image of non-European dimensions of relations between Europe and the states and regions in the Czech lands). The team other continents and their mutual inﬂuences, but follows up with the existing contacts in Europe also problem that manifested itself as extremely and in the world. The main axis is constituted important in the past years: the transformations by the institutions in Germany, Austria, France, of the European identity. They are aware of the Britain, Spain, and in Latin America. Other fact that the “Old World” is, without exaggeration, traditional area of cooperation is Asia, especially standing on crucial crossroads (uncertain future China.

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FACULTY OF SCIENCE

Environmental geochemistry group their properties and reactivity in the gas phase studied. Ion spectroscopy represents a modern Principal Investigator: method for investigation of ions. With a new Prof. Martin Mihaljevič instrument constructed in the laboratory it is possible to record infrared and ultraviolet spectra Environmental geochemistry group is composed of mass-selected ions trapped in a cryogenic trap of researchers at the Institute of Geochemistry, and thus obtain information about their structure Mineralogy and Mineral Resources and at the in the gas phase. Experimental results are Laboratories of the Geological Institutes of the combined with quantum chemical calculations. Faculty of Science. Their joint research is focused Combination of all experimental and theoretical on processes related to biogeochemical cycles of approaches provides a comprehensive picture elements near the Earth surface, such as metals about reaction intermediates and reaction and metalloids from anthropogenic sources. mechanisms. In addition, it involves interactions among hydrosphere, atmosphere, pedosphere and waste matter, as well as development of new analytical Organoelement Chemistry, Organic methods in environmental geology. The research Synthesis and Catalysis activities are realised in the Czech Republic, in Europe, as well as on other continents, such as Principal Investigators: Africa and America. Prof. Petr Štěpnička Prof. Martin Kotora

Physical organic chemistry Catalytic reactions are studied mainly by the teams at the Departments of Inorganic and Organic Principal Investigator: Chemistry, Faculty of Science. The research in Prof. Jana Roithová the Laboratory of Organoelement Chemistry and Catalysis at the Department of Inorganic The research program is focused on studying Chemistry is focused mainly on the synthesis of elementary steps in organic and organometallic new phosphinoferrocene ligands modiﬁed by reactions using mass spectrometry, ion functional groups that enable their applications spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. The aim is in the catalysis of synthetically important a deeper understanding of reaction mechanisms reaction as well as speciﬁc ligands in coordination and formulation of new general concepts in compounds. Typical representatives are ferrocene organic and organometallic reactivity. Using mass phosphines bearing functional amide substituents. spectrometry with electrospray ionization can be Attention is being paid to their preparation isolated and reaction intermediates from solution and structures, but also to their coordination

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behaviour and catalytic properties. Naturally, the The research topics of the group include the research encompasses also the adjoining areas structure and properties of new microporous such as studies into the biological properties of materials for adsorption and catalysis, properties the synthesized coordination compounds, search of metal nanocatalysts on supports (carbon for unusual bonding motifs in their structures or silica) and properties of these supports, and electrochemical properties of these ferrocene structure and properties of polymeric materials, derivatives to name just few. The Laboratory of in particular water -soluble polyelectrolytes Catalysis in Organic Synthesis at the Department for environmental applications. In addition of Organic Chemistry aims at development of to theoretical description of properties of transition metal-catalysed reactions suitable for existing materials also materials that have the preparation of organic compounds. Reactions not been prepared yet are computationally studied include [2+2+2] -cyclotrimerisation investigated. The aim of the research is to gain reactions, alkene metathesis, cycloisomerisation an increased understanding of physical and processes, etc. These methods are applied in the chemical properties (including catalysis) of synthesis of natural and bioactive compounds or nanomaterials ranging from the atomic -scale functional molecules derived from polyaromatic up to the supramolecular level. The theoretical compounds. research carried out in close collaboration with experimental groups heads towards the synthesis of new materials with designed Nanomaterial Modeling properties for speciﬁc applications.

Principal Investigators: Prof. Petr Nachtigall Endogenous geodynamics in Geology Dr. Filip Uhlík Dr. Peter Košovan Principal Investigator: Prof. Shah Wali Faryad The Group of Nanomaterial Modeling, a part of the Department of Physical and Macromolecular The research group focuses on Petrology, Chemistry, focuses on the development and mineral transformation and deformation in applications of computational methods for the the Lithosphere. To model the pressure and investigation of physical and chemical properties temperature conditions of magma crystallization of novel nanomaterials. and metamorphism in the rocks, principle It employs a variety of models and methods, of thermodynamic equilibrium are used. The including ab initio methods for the accurate research further includes numeric modelling to description of electronic structure as well understand formation of igneous textures and as methods of statistical thermodynamics their rheological implication, evolution of state which allow for simulations of large molecular equation of fluid phases and their interaction ensembles. In close collaboration with in the subduction environments and finally experimental researchers, the group’s research their significance for geochemical cycles in the is focused on modeling of microporous convergence boundaries. The microstructures aluminosilicates, carbon nanomaterials, and interaction of mantle and crust rocks, the polymers, and metal organic frameworks. emplacement of magma in the crust and large

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scale tectonic processes are also investigated. In signaling proteins). In relation to analysis of this direction it includes various geodynamic signalling in malignant progression the role of environments, like the Bohemian Massif with CAS protein in invasiveness, metastasis and high -grade rocks, the Alpine orogenic belt, known mechanoreception was shown and elucidated. for its thrust -nappe system (Western Carpathians, In addition, the tyrosine phosphorylation within Eastern Alps), the Collisional belt with thickened SH3 domains was identified as a novel general and double continental crust (Hindu Kush and negative regulatory mechanism of cell signalling. Himalaya) and Central Asian Variscan Belt with The research in the field of developmental multiple orogenic processes. biology is mainly concentrated on genetics and cytogenetics of Xenopus tropicalis and Xenopus laevis. Among most important achievements The regulation of cell, tissue and organ within this field was the construction of linkage development in health and disease and physical map of Xenopus Tropicalis, which subsequently enabled the identification of many Principal Investigator: genes, responsible for mutant phenotypes Dr. Jan Brábek of interest for biomedical research. Another important achievement was the evolutional The research is concentrated on cell biology of analysis of human X chromosome origin based both plant and animal, including human cells. on sequential and cytogenetic data from X. Basic cell biological processes and structures tropicalis. Very important results came from are analyzed. Important achievement in plant evo -devo analysis of morphogenesis of head cell biology was the discovery and subsequential tissue/structures, which form the body plan of functional characterization of plant multiprotein vertebrates and their developmental plasticity is complex exocyst, which has crucial role in vesicle responsible for the origin of crucial evolutional transport, exocytosis, cell growth and motility. In innovations and adaptive changes. addition, the influence of evolutionary conserved actin nucleators – FH2 proteins – on structure and dynamics of microtubule cytoskeleton in Cellular and molecular basis of the host- plants was described. In animal and human -pathogen relationships cell biology, the attention was concentrated on cancer cell transformation and malignant Principal Investigator: progression, with emphasis on cell signaling, Prof. Petr Horák subcellular structures and mechanisms of cell motility. Important achievement was the Research is focused on characterization of elucidation of structure of invasive protrusions mechanisms that participate in transmission of cancer cells – invadopodia – in a complex 3D of infectious agents, establishment/progress of environment. Other important discoveries were infection in the host body, and pathogenesis. related to amoeboid invasiveness of cancer cells Virology research aims at the cell defense (the discovery of primarily amoeboid invasiveness against infections caused by small DNA viruses in cells of mesenchymal origin, demonstration (polyomavirus and hepatitis B virus) and HIV of the importance of amoeboid invasiveness in virus, particularly at the processes linked with metastasis of sarcomas, identification of key restriction of virus infection by mechanisms

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of innate immunity; these mechanisms are Fylogeny and diversity operational during the early phase of virus- of multicellular organisms -cell interaction, i.e., during the transport of virus particles into the cell nucleus. Also, the Principal Investigator: mechanisms of cell defense evasion by viruses Dr. Pavel Munclinger are analyzed. As for the most important results, epigenetic control via methylation of virus Research is focused on evolutionary aspects of promotor has been disclosed in HIV replication. plant and animal species diversity at various Bacteriology research is focused on proteins levels of complexity from populations to processes that modulate immune response; also secondary at the global scale. Trends in biodiversity metabolites exhibiting diverse functions are dynamics are studied in a broader context of studied, e.g., their influence on cell physiology geological history, with a special emphasize including characterization of cytoskeleton, on the Quaternary period. Phenomena such as membraneous organelles, energy metabolism, speciation, hybridization, genome evolution, production of oxygen radicals and regulation phenotypic plasticity, developmental processes, of cell cycle. In cooperation with the Institute and changes of behavioural or morphological traits of Microbiology ASCR, adenylate cyclase toxin are investigated using modern -omics techniques produced by Bordetella pertussis and having in combination with morphological, ecological immunomodulatory effects is intensively and behavioural approaches. Field and laboratory studied as a model protein. Among the most experimental research is done mainly on various important results, influence of the toxin on non -model organisms and results in scientific endocytosis has been disclosed. Helminthology publications in prestigious journals as well as research deals with avian schistosomes that practical suggestions for nature conservation and may attack humans as accidental hosts and protection of endangered species. cause cercarial dermatitis. Among the main research topics, the role of parasite peptidases and other enzymes in skin and tissue invasions, Eukaryotic mikrobiology and protistology cellular and humoral immune response of the host, immune evasion of parasites, and Principal Investigator: pathogenesis linked with schistosome migration Prof. Jan Tachezy in the host tissues are in focus. Characterization of important parasite proteins is facilitated The research is focused on unicellular eukaryotes by recent genomic and transcriptomic (protists) and covers three main directions: projects. As for the most important results, research on parasitic and free -living protists, morphological and biochemical characterization research on phototrophic organisms, and research of penetration glands and cathepsins B1/B2 of on yeast colonies. schistosome larvae has been performed, and The first topic includes the study of organisms neuropathogenicity of Trichobilharzia regenti at the level of diversity, evolution and ecology disclosed. of obligate anaerobic protists. Studied include both free -living organisms occurring in freshwater and marine anoxic sediments, symbionts as well as parasites of different groups of invertebrates

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and vertebrates, including humans, who and maintain diversity and structure of micro-algae inhabit mainly gastrointestinal or genitourinary communities in nature. Part of this activity is the tract. Attention is also paid to various types study of the molecular diversity of micro-algae of symbiosis between anaerobic ciliates and habitats (sub-aeric biofilms, microbentos). Parallel prokaryotic organisms. Research of aerobic direction is also studying precipitation of inorganic protists is mainly focused on free -living and crystals and colloidal nanostructures in algal parasitic protists of Euglenozoa group. For free- cells. The main model groups include flagellates -living protists, emphasis is given to evolution of Stramenopiles , diatoms and unicellular green of secondary plastids in the group Euglenida. algae. Studies of parasitic protists of Kinetoplastida The most important result in the third direction group are focused on leishmania, serious of research is the finding that yeast colonies pathogens of humans and domestic animals, and behave as primitive multicellular organisms in their development in vectors. We have defined which the cells differentiate and form specialized the current view of interspecies differences in cell populations, which mutually cooperate or Leishmania -vector relationship, demonstrated compete. One of the studied subpopulations, sexual multiplication of Leishmania in vectors, which is long -lived and resistant to metabolic and introduced a unique method for determining stress, is markedly similar to cells of mammalian the risk of infection using antibodies against tumors. Specialized subpopulations of biofilm the saliva of vectors. In addition to laboratory colonies are important for protection against experiments, we carry out field investigations external influences. in endemic areas of leishmaniasis. At the subcellular level, we study evolution and function of semiautonomic organelles (mitochondria, Transformation of socio-geographic plastids), particularly specific adaptations of and demographic realities of Czechia these organelles in relation to the evolution in European and global contexts of parasitism and adaptation to anaerobic environments. Emphasis is given to investigations Principal Investigator: of the role of reductive evolution and lateral gene Dr. Dušan Drbohlav transfer in transition of classical mitochondria to their anaerobic forms: hydrogenosomes The main topics of the research are as follows: and mitosomes. The main findings include the discovery of complete loss of mitochondria in (i) a critical review of key concepts and a specific lineage within Preaxostyla group. At the methodological approaches; molecular level, we studied complete genomes of (ii) empirical analyses of the regional, selected organisms, changes in transcriptomes demografic, socio-economic and socio -cultural under various environmental conditions, and differentiation of society, the development of proteomes of isolated subcellular structures. population growth, the demographic aging The second direction is concentrated on research process and its impact on social/pension of phylogenetic diversity of phototrophic unicellular and health systems, the development of the eukaryotes. Using techniques of molecular settlement system, the urbanization process, phylogenetics, microscopy and metabolomics, the the transformation and restucturalization research deals with the mechanisms that generate of cities and countryside, mechanisms of

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the development of peripheries; migration for local and regional communities and processes, the impact of migration on settlement systems; demographic, social, economic, cultural, (iii) a synthetizing assessment of the socio-spatial political and geogaphical structures, and demographic changes in Czechia in analyses of migration and integration European and global contexts with special policies, the integration of migrants into regard to an interpretation of driving forces, the majority society; assessment of the mechanisms, actors/subjects of the change integration of border regions into European on various regional -hierarchical levels and structures, the impact of EU policies; the analyses of the demographic situation in globalization process, analyses of the impact Czechia within the EU. of the economic crisis, the transformation of economic ties, ﬂows of goods and capital, Results of the research are used in academic, the formation of transportation systems, research and decision -taking circles (namely, city, global problems of the world and foreign aid; regional, national ofﬁces, EU institutions, UN, non- assessment of territorial loads, consequences -governmental sector etc.).

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Physical Geography, Cartography of physio-geographical phenomena can be derived and Geoinformatics from such comparison and can facilitate prediction of regional and global changes of the environment. Principal Investigator: Prof. Bohumír Janský The individual research topics involve:

The focus of the research is analysis of dynamics (i) environmental threats and risks and their of spatial and time relations in physio -geographical impact on human society sphere and the impact of these dynamics on (ii) paleographical development of environment the society. The combination of Geography, in Quarternary Cartography, Geoinformatics and Remote sensing (iii) changes of dynamics of hydrological processes within one research project is caused by the fact and ecology of watercourses as indicators of that physical Geography works with cartographical global climate changes and anthropogenetic data and uses the tools of IT and GeonInformatics. envronmental changes Current enhancement of Physical Geography (iv) landscape research by using landscape and and Geoecology has been influenced by recents socio -ecological methods on different time boost of research of environmental threats and spatial scales and risks and of all environmental changes on (v) recent development of the environment and global scale. At the forefront of the interest of its physio-geographical constituents physical geographers is especially the impact of (vi) development of qualitative and quantitative climate changes on the different components indicators of phenomena in data obtained via of the environment. The second large field of remote sensing research interest lies in comparison of current (vii) algorithms of visualisation and analysis of environmental processes with their past shape and topographical data in digital modelling of their progress. Crucial findings about the dynamics (Earth)surface.

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FACULTY OF SCIENCE, CENTER FOR THEORETICAL STUDY, ENVIRONMENT CENTER

Ecology and biodiversity – from individuals detailed studies of subtle interactions between to the biosphere individuals within local ecological communities up to the exploration of the origin of macroecological Principal Investigators: patterns at continental scale. We study both Prof. David Storch aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, mostly in Prof. Jan Frouz Europe, but also in relatively exotic environments, Dr. Adam Petrusek namely tropical rainforests and savannas in Africa or microbial communities in Arctic and Antarctic Ecology is a major biological discipline which environments. We are interested, for instance, deals with the relationships between individuals, in the evolution of life histories, in the origin populations, and their environment, and with the of adaptations to extreme environments or in structure and dynamics of ecological communities ever changing interactions between organisms and ecosystems. There are close links to other and biodiversity variation in space and time. biological disciplines, namely evolutionary We combine theoretical and mathematical biology, parasitology, physiology, behaviour or approaches with experiments and traditional ﬁeld conservation biology. For this reason, ecological research. Ecological research has many practical issues are studied at many departments within applications, stemming for instance from our the Charles University. Our team studies ecology studies of spatial spreading and effects of invasive of all taxa, ranging from bacteria to ﬂowering plants and animals, the role of post -industrial sites plants, insects or vertebrates, including humans. for preserving biodiversity, or studies of host- The research comprises all spatial scales, from the -parasite interactions.

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FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS

Algebraic and geometric structures Applied computer science of the modern mathematics Principal Investigators: Principal Investigator: Dr. Tomáš Skopal Prof. Vladimír Souček Dr. Tomáš Bureš Dr. Jaroslav Křivánek Recent decades brought to the world mathematics an explosion of new methods Three departments at the school of computer and theories based on an intensive interaction science focus on applied computer science between mathematics and modern theoretical (software -related), where an excellent research physics. The project of the E. Čech Institute is conducted including modeling and formalizing (ECI) reflects this evolution. Carefully chosen of algorithms, data structures and software topics bridge categorical and cohomological architectures. The research standards include algebra, differential geometry, algebraic topology development of prototype implementations of and geometric analysis, to string theory and software systems, intensive experimentation using integrable systems in physics. The research is standardized benchmarks with an emphasis on organized in teams around J. Rosický, J. Slovák, repeatability of experiments. R. Von Unge in Brno, V. Souček, J. Trlifaj, M. The Department of Software Engineering deals Markl, B. Jurčo a M. Schnabl in Prague, and M. with search in big structured and unstructured Engliš, M. Marvan in Opava. The main part of the data, such as multimedia, graphs, scientific budget is used to support a broad international and bio data. We focus on database methods cooperation. ECI opens a competition for 9 for similarity search (performance, scalability), post -doctoral positions every year, steered by modeling and development of alternative means an international Board. This burst of activities of retrieval, and also similarity modeling in provides a multiple effect on the overall particular data domains. In the multimedia productivity of the Czech research in a very retrieval field we work with complex image broad and challenging spectrum of relevant descriptors and modern means of retrieval using topics. Two monographs and almost 80 papers database methods based on massively parallel in IF journals were published during the first 3 processing. In the bioinformatics domain we years of the project. focus on the development of algorithms and computational tools to aid analysis of biological data and computational drug discovery. This includes approaches to analyze RNA and protein

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data or discovery of new bioactive small molecule various statistical, machine learning and natural compounds. In the big data domain, we develop language processing methods for information and methods which can be used to automate data knowledge extraction. We apply results of our integration and extraction. Therefore, individuals research in cooperation with commercial partners. can concentrate on the information and knowledge We also lead a non -profit initiative OpenData. instead of tedious reading and browsing of cz which promotes the principles of Linked Data tons of documents and databases. We develop among governmental organizations. Our aim is to methods which allow people to integrate large convince the organizations to publish their data heterogeneous data and explore and browse on the Web for free reuse so that we (and anyone it in a user friendly way. Our approach fully else) can show the value hidden in their data. applies the so called Linked Data principles The Department of Distributed and which provide a unified framework for publishing Dependable Systems focuses on methods and and interlinking data on the Web. This allows models that enable systematic development of us to enrich given data with the context of dependable software for smart cyber -physical thousands of data sources already available on systems (CPS). This covers approaches for the Web. On top of the integrated data we apply (i) goal-based requirements engineering, (ii) component-based architectural models specifically tailored for dependable real- -time systems, (iii) models and techniques for runtime self -adaptivity and self -awareness (including awareness of own performance), (iv) communication models for opportunistic knowledge sharing in networks with limited connectivity (e.g. MANETs, VANETs), (v) methods and tools for assessing performance and resource consumption, (vi) methods and tools for network-precise simulations of large-scale deployment of smart CPS, and (vii) runtime platforms for analysis and experiments with smart CPS (targeting Android and very low- -power embedded devices such as ARM Cortex M family). The department further focuses on analyses of software systems. This includes verification of properties of software systems implemented in C/C++ and Java languages and analysis of web applications written in PHP, such as web -based banking interfaces, content- -management systems (WordPress), etc. For verification of complex systems, which cannot be analyzed directly, we have developed methods for automatic model extraction and its analysis proving the properties on the model level. The

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department regularly participates in industrial (transmitters) so that two adjacent nodes (close and EU projects (FP7, H2020); its most recent transmitters) get numbers with difference at least project being the FP7 FET project ASCENS, 2 (to avoid interference). Close relation to practical which focused on theoretical foundations of applications is obvious. Other research topics autonomous networked systems. include investigation of data structures (numbers The Computer Graphics Group is one of the of calls to the memory, expected complexity etc.). leading groups in Computer Graphics research The group has excellent results in structural worldwide, with a strong focus on highly realistic graph theory, graph and hypergraph colorings, image synthesis. Though mostly theoretical in its in Ramsey theory and in intersection of nature, the group’s research is strongly rooted combinatorics and computational complexity. The in problems encountered in practice: many of projects being solved by the group are “Complex the results have been adopted by the renowned Structures – Regularities in Combinatorics and graphics production houses, such as Weta Digital, Discrete Mathematics (Cores)” and “Center of PIXAR Animation Studios, or Chaos Group. Excellence – Institute for Theoretical Computer Two leading figures contribute to the scientific Science”, which also involves the other three excellence of the group. Alexander Wikie focuses groups, namely the geometry group, the on physics-related aspects of light transport, computational complexity group, and the material modeling, and color science. Jaroslav algorithms and optimization group. Křivánek focuses on radiative transport, Monte Carlo methods, and visual perception. In 2014, he Discrete and computational geometry was selected for the New Europe 100 list, “a list of Geometry is perhaps the oldest branch of outstanding challengers who are leading world- mathematics, but Discrete and computational -class innovation from Central and Eastern Europe”, geometry is much younger. It is busy with questions for “taking computer graphics to the next level”. on possible configurations of points, lines, curves and so on, and with the computational aspects. For illustration we mention an important problem of Combinatorics and graph theory the trisector curve, solved by the late J. Matoušek and his collaborators from Japan. Principal Investigator: The group has excellent results on both Prof. Jaroslav Nešetřil geometric and topological graphs, in graph drawing, in computational geometry, in topological The group collaborates with the theoretial methods in combinatorics, in geometric Ramsey computer science group and several groups theory. abroad. Modern discrete mathematics consists of several interrelated disciplines. The research and teaching is performed on two main fronts. General relativity and gravitation

Combinatorics and graph theory Principal Investigator: Discrete situations, relations and structures, Prof. Jiří Bičák usually involving only ﬁnitely many objects, are modelled. A typical problem is of assigning The general theory of relativity and its numbers (codes of transmission channels) to nodes applications in astrophysics and cosmology is

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a field that has been taught and pursued at the Geometric Function Theory FMP CU systematically since the 1970s and its advancement has been associated primarily with Principal Investigator: the Institute of Theoretical Physics and the name Prof. Jan Malý of Prof. Jiří Bičák. A number of researchers still active in the field today – working not only at This project includes study of spaces of the FMP CU but also at other universities and functions and mappings with the emphasis on institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the the properties needed in applications such as Czech Republic, ASCR—began their professional theory of Nonlinear Elasticity, Partial Differential carriers under his supervision. The research Equations and Calculus of Variations. The natural profile encompasses mainly mathematical problems studied in this area are the optimal problems of general relativity and its higher- condition that guarantee continuity (material -dimensional versions, particularly the search cannot break and no cavities are created), for and interpretation of exact solutions of null sets are mapped to null sets (material Einstein’s equations, investigation of spacetimes cannot be created from nothing), invertibility involving gravitational radiation, formulation (interpenetration of matter), properties of the of conservation laws and their relation to inverse mapping (backward deformation should various types of symmetries, physics of black be nice) and many others. Another aim of the holes and of massive discs as gravitational study is the optimal conditions for various sources, behaviour of particles and fields in embeddings of function spaces. curved spacetimes, the issue of cosmological perturbations, and, more recently, also the application of computers to non -stationary Machine Translation problems involving very strong fields (the and Multilingual Technologies so -called numerical relativity), approximation methods in theories of gravitation, non- Principal Investigator: -homogeneous cosmological models, and Prof. Jan Hajič gravitational lenses. The group continues educating students in the fields of relativistic Machine translation is an attractive physics and methods based on differential interdisciplinary task relying on computer science, geometry. It has extensive international contacts linguistics, statistics and mathematical modeling, and has completed successfully a number with specific challenges to software engineering – of grant projects. Currently, its operation is as the volume of the data processed typically supported particularly by Albert Einstein Center reaches tens of billions of words. for Gravitation and Astrophysics, a Project At the Institute of Formal and Applied of Excellence awarded by the Czech Science Linguistics, several prototypes of machine Foundation. Within the Center, the group has translation systems have been created and also enhanced its collaboration with colleagues implemented. Two approaches have been adopted. from the Astronomical Institute of the ASCR, the First, phrase -based statistical translation which Institute of Mathematics of the ASCR, and from uses machine learning based on very large text Silesian University in Opava. corpora; second, a deep linguistic analysis of whole sentences is used. Combination of both

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approaches, e.g. in a form of grammatically -based partners within several European, U.S. -based and corrections of the phrase-based translation output, national projects as well as in direct cooperation seems highly promising. In addition to text -to -text with industry. machine translation, cross -language search which operates on multimodal data and multilingual dialogue systems enabling natural human- Mathematical modeling and methods -computer interaction are being developed. for high performance computing Translation systems developed at the Institute focus especially on translation between the Czech Principal Investigator: language and other European languages (esp. Prof. Zdeněk Strakoš English, German, French and Spanish); however, a phrase-based translation system can be quickly Mathematical modeling aims to describe and adapted for any language pair for which a sufﬁcient study various phenomena using the language of amount of language data can be obtained. mathematics. It represents an indispensable tool Further development of machine translation in natural sciences, engineering, life and also social methods and systems is being pursued in sciences. Mathematical modeling in mechanics collaboration with many academic and commercial and thermodynamics of continuous media is the

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research subject of the mathematical modeling Optical spectroscopy group at Mathematical Institute of Charles of individual nanoobjects University. The uniqueness of this research group consists Principal Investigators: in the fact that it is able to cover –at a very high Prof. Jan Valenta scientific level –all aspects of the mathematical Dr. Anna Fučíková modeling workflow, in particular development of mathematical models, mathematical analysis Optical spectroscopy of individual nanoobjects (e.g. of their properties, development of the suitable semiconductor nanocrystals, nanowires, luminescent numerical methods and implementation of the defects, dopants centers etc.) enables to overcome numerical methods optimally exploiting the inhomogeneity in ensembles of such objects that is available computational power of the current omnipresent due to impossibility of production of and near future high performance computing identical objects by the up-to -date nanotechnology. systems. Common measurements on ensembles suffer from the so called inhomogeneous broadening, which obscure detailed information on energy levels and Modern materials transitions in individual nanoobjects. Therefore, starting from 1970s, researchers developed various Principal Investigator: spectroscopic techniques that can indirectly reveal Dr. Miloš Janeček some information hidden by the inhomogeneous broadening, e.g. spectral hole-burning techniques. Ultra -fine grained and nanocrystalline materials Following progress of detection devices enabled belong to an important group of modern detecting luminescence spectra directly from single materials with unusual properties that are very nanoobjects. Such techniques are being developed attractive for different structural and functional in the laboratory for more than 10 years. Between applications. Modern techniques of preparation the possible approaches we prefer the luminescence of these materials are based on the imposition microspectroscopy in a broad optical far -field, which of very high strains leading to exceptional grain is much less explored than confocal approaches. refinement without any significant change of the The reason for such choice is our focus on studies of overall dimensions. High hydrostatic pressures are silicon nanostructures, whose luminescence flux is applied during these processes which introduce extremely low due to the indirect band gap energy high densities of lattice defects (e.g. dislocations structure and related long excited-state lifetimes. or vacancies) and result in the formation of Thus, our experimental techniques must achieve the special structures. Materials fabricated by these maximal sensitivity and position stability in order techniques, called severe plastic deformation, to allow for long acquisition times (typically 30–60 exhibit several unique properties including very min). Our main competitive advantage was gained high -strength, ductility and fatigue endurance, by successful incorporation of a cryostat in the increased superplastic capabilities as well as micro -spectroscopy set-up – this unique cryo-micro - multifunctional behaviour when materials exhibit -spectroscopy device is exceptionally stable, giving enhanced functional (electric, magnetic, corrosion, the typical sample drift below 1 µm per one hour etc.) and mechanical properties. acquisition at 10 K. Using this set-up we performed several foreground studies, e.g. showing coexistence

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of quasi-1D and 0D excitons in silicon nanowires, OptoSpintronics revealing narrow zero-phonon lines and phonon- -replicas in Si nanocrystals at low T or energy levels Principal Investigator: of single dopants in Si nanocrystals. Recently we Prof. Petr Němec extended our micro-spectroscopy technique into the near -infrared (NIR) spectral region, setting up Spintronics is a new dynamic branch of electronics two parallel detection branches covering a broad that uses magnetic moment – spin – of charge range from 350 to 1650 nm. The latest development carriers for data storage and processing. Recently, consist of incorporation of a time-resolved utilization of light in spintronics has established luminescence detection for both VIS and NIR regions its new “optospintronic” branch. The application (but the sensitivity is not on the single nanoobject of ultrafast laser spectroscopy, which has a long level). We apply our micro-spectroscopy device also term tradition at MFF UK, for the research of to study other inorganic and organic materials and ferromagnetic materials enabled us to discover also to measurements in living cell cultures.

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several new phenomena. They can be used to the world leading accelerator experiments with modify and to study magnetic order in materials an emphasis on the exploitation of the full on ultrashort time scales (down to femtoseconds), potential of the Czech Republic’s membership which is by several orders of magnitude faster in CERN. These experiments are: ATLAS at than other existing experimental techniques. In CERN (study of the properties of the Higgs particular, the discovered phenomena combine boson and the top quark; B physics; heavy the photo-effect, a phenomenon which is at the ion interactions; diffraction physics), NA62 at very heart of semiconductor optoelectronics, with CERN (investigation of the CP violation and of the non-relativistic spin-transfer -torque and the rare decays of K mesons), Belle and SuperBelle relativistic spin-orbit coupling effects. These new at KEK (study of rare decays of bottomonium phenomena are expected to ﬁnd applications and of CP violation). Important parts of the in the development of magnetic random access research are neutrino physics (Daya Bay, NOvA memories. For this work, members of the joint and SuperNEMO experiments) and astroparticle Laboratory of OptoSpintronics of MFF UK and FZU physics (experiment AUGER). Research activities AV ČR, which is headed by P. Němec, were awarded are oriented also on the development, production the Bedřich Hrozný Prize of the Charles University and testing of components of detector in 2014. complexes.

Theoretical and Experimental Nuclear Physics. Particle and Nuclear Physics Research in the physics of atomic nuclei and related strongly interacting many-body systems is Principal Investigator: aimed at the following areas: Prof. Rupert Leitner (i) Experimental study of nuclear properties The research focuses on experimental and at high excitation energies. Subjects of theoretical study of elementary particles and investigation are various statistical features atomic nuclei with the goal to contribute to the of excited nuclear states and their decays. detailed tests of the standard model (SM) of We participate in the measurement of cross fundamental interactions, to search for physical sections of the neutron-induced reactions in phenomena beyond the SM, and improve the experiment n_TOF at CERN. present knowledge of the nuclear structure and (ii) Microscopic theory of collective nuclear nucleon interactions. dynamics. The research include calculations based on realistic two-nucleon potentials as Theoretical and Experimental Particle Physics. well as related phenomenological functional Research in theoretical particle physics approaches. concentrates mainly on an adequate description (iii) Theory of quantum phase transitions and of the Higgs sector of the electroweak theory, chaos in algebraic models of nuclei and similar possible phenomena beyond the SM, the study of systems. Here we focus on approximate low energy meson interactions, a deeper study of conservation of dynamical symmetries and the some speciﬁc mathematical methods of quantum onset of chaos, and on an analysis of various ﬁeld theory. Research in experimental particle singularities in quantum spectra. physics is performed within the framework of

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Stochastic geometry, stochastic analysis case the research is focused on space -time and spatial statistics models described by stochastic partial differential equations which are used in various ﬁelds of Principal Investigator: mathematical physics and mathematical biology. Prof. Viktor Beneš

Stochastic geometry is the theory of random Structure of thin layers and nanoparticles sets, which form random processes of points, particles, ﬁbres or surfaces in the Euclidean Principal Investigator: space. They may also ﬁll the whole space in Prof. Václav Holý a form of a tessellation with systems of vertices, edges and faces. There is a variety of models We use a broad range of x-ray -based methods, of these random processes which may involve such as x-ray diffraction, x-ray scattering and x-ray inhomogeneity, marking, anisotropy, temporal spectroscopy for the study of various types of dynamics and different kinds of interactions. nanostructures. In the last decade we have dealt Complex models are described by simpler with semiconductor and metallic nanoparticles and characteristics which are based on moment quantum dots in single-crystalline and amorphous measures, packings, distances, while individual matrices. We have investigated the structure of objects are described by their number, size, shape these objects by x-ray diffraction, small-angle x-ray or orientation. Invariant global characteristics scattering, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy come from integral geometry and form curvature (methods EXAFS and XANES). We are also studying measures. The spatial geometrical statistics defects in semiconductor epitaxial layers by makes statistical inference on these random reciprocal-space mapping method and by numerical processes and their characteristics. In parametric simulations based on the Monte-Carlo approach. and semiparametric models it develops Quite recently we have started a study of the estimators of parameters and investigates their structure of new materials, like antiferromagnetic asymptotic properties. For some classes of semiconductor layers and topological insulators. characteristics also nonparametric estimators are We perform the experiments in the x-ray lab of the available. Various related statistical tests have Department of Condensed Matter physics, however to be developed. Edge effects present a special we are frequently using various synchrotron issue for an observation in a compact window. sources – ESRF (Grenoble), ANKA (Karlsruhe) and Stereological analysis concerns geometrical ELETTRA (Trieste). data based on sections or projections and their inference to higher dimension. While in theory the dimension is arbitrary, the applications Surface physics concern typically two - or three -dimensional random sets. They are useful especially for the Principal Investigator: investigation of microstructures in biology, Prof. Vladimír Matolín medicine and materials research, but also in macroscale in geology, environmental sciences, Physical and chemical processes on the surfaces physics, etc. Additionally, stochastic analysis is of solids are the governing factors in modern the theory of random processes; in the present nanotechnological applications in energy economy,

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chemical industry or environmental protection. The phenomena down to atomic level. Other research work group of Surface Physics develops and applies topics due highlighting are the research and refined experimental and theoretical methods development of sensors of non-electrical observables in order to understand surface physico-chemical and development of semiconductor nanostructures. phenomena on the fundamental research level The Surface Physics laboratory (SPL) commands and applies the knowledge in the development of a broad range of laboratory techniques including new nanotechnologies, thus reaching out into the a synchrotron beam line laboratory (the Materials applied research domain. One predominant research Science Beamline, MSB) at the synchrotron Elettra field is the development of catalysts for energy in Italy. This research infrastructure (SPL-MSB) conversion in fuel cells, in which the group has is open to international user access as the Czech been successfully optimizing the Platinum efficiency representing laboratory in the Central European and minimizing the resource cost of the advanced Research Infrastructure Consortium (CERIC-ERIC). catalysts. The successes in the area of catalyst The Surface Physics group participates in a number development result from a solid instrumental of European and international collaborative foundation, which covers synthesis and scientific projects and, presently, also it is characterization of novel nanostructured materials a coordinator of the EU 7th Framework Programme and the analysis of surface physico-chemical project chipCAT.

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Theoretical computer science problems look like, what makes problems hard to solve by a computer, and where is the boundary Principal Investigators: of what can be solved efficiently are analyzed. Prof. Václav Koubek We focus on the study of boolean circuits, Dr. Michal Koucký which is the standard model of computation, Prof. Jiří Sgall on communication complexity, which measures the amount of communication necessary to Finding the shortest path between two cities solve problems by several parties, on extension takes a GPS navigation a fraction of a second. complexity, which is an approach to understanding Finding the best way to pack a large number of intractable problems, on limits of efficient data boxes of various sizes into shipping containers is structures. Our group achieved outstanding beyond anyone’s computational resources as we results in the area of lower bounds for various do not know any fast enough algorithm for this computational models, in understanding the problem. What are the best algorithms for various relationship between various computational problems? How to efficiently implement them? resources, in computational geometry and What makes computational problems hard to semidefinite programming. solve by an algorithm? These are some of the main questions theoretical computer science tries to Algorithms and optimization. For many answer. Hence, theoretical computer science aims combinatorial and other problems it is easy to find to design new algorithms and algorithmic methods some solution, on the other hand, it is significantly to solve various problems, design efficient data harder to find a good or even optimal solution for structures that would support fast implementation some measures of quality. For such problems we of these algorithms and understand for which study approximation algorithms which find, at problems our current algorithmic solutions are a reasonable speed, a solution which is close to already the best possible. the optimal one. One of the fundamental issues The group of theoretical computer science for algorithm design is the knowledge of input addresses various aspects of these questions. It data. We study this area in two ways: First, we is supported by European Research Council (ERC) study online algorithms that learn the input piece project Lower bounds for combinatorial algorithms by piece but have to produce a partial output and dynamic problems, and by other grants. immediately. Second, we study the problems Members of the group regularly publish in the top of interval arithmetic, which assumes that the conferences (STOC, FOCS, SODA) and top journals. numbers on input are known only with some We have extensive connections with top research precision. Our group has excellent results both in centers abroad and also closely collaborate with the area of approximation and online algorithms other Czech groups, most notably the logic and for scheduling and related problems, and in the complexity group at the Czech Academy of Sciences area of interval arithmetic, esp. for problems of lead by P. Pudlák. We list several areas (and group linear algebra and linear programming. We also members active in them) with outstanding results. study linear and semidefinite programming and its algorithmic applications. Computational complexity. The questions of how efficiently various computational problems can Knowledge representation. In representation be solved, how optimal algorithms for various of knowledge we study problems related to

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efﬁcient knowledge representation using tools of propositional logic, namely using propositional formulas. There are various areas of knowledge representation, among those we mainly concentrate on knowledge compression and knowledge compilation. In knowledge compression our interest is to ﬁnd a smallest possible (e.g. in a sense of the length of a formula) representation of given knowledge base. In knowledge compilation we want to translate the given knowledge base into a form which is suitable for answering particular kinds of queries.

Hypercubes. Hypercubes form a class of graphs that is exploited in many applications; it is also an important model of parallel computers. Today they serve as a tool for modeling of network computers (or users). A Hamiltonian path in hypercube is a Gray code that has applications in many directions, in informational retrieval, signal encoding, image process or data compression. Therefore we orient our research on graph properties of hypercubes with special attention to paths covering a hypercube and study of hypercubes with faulty vertices.

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FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Development of professional training (iii) didactic measures addressed to pupils from of teachers different levels and types of schools; (iv) methods and organisational forms of education; Principal Investigators: (v) measures ensuring the inclusion of Prof. Radka Wildová disadvantaged groups of pupils in educational Prof. Zdeněk Helus streams; (vi) creation of standards for teachers and school The school is now confronted with urgent new directors and policies for career growth and challenges, arising primarily from the development attestation degrees; dynamics of contemporary society, from the need (vii) counselling support system for teachers and to ensure equality of educational opportunities, other educational staff. from changes in childhood and youth caused by factors within contemporary society, from the beneﬁts of new discoveries, especially in Subject didactics research the ﬁeld of pedagogy, didactics, psychology of effective teaching and learning, from changes in Principal Investigators: the educational reality caused by developments Dr. Jan Slavík in the sphere of information and communication Dr. Naďa Vondrová technologies and their penetration of structures Dr. Jarmila Robová and functions in society, from evaluation of the Dr. Martina Šmejkalová differences in the effectiveness of educational Dr. Miroslava Černochová systems and the necessity of international Dr. Ondřej Hník cooperation in achieving common goals. Dr. Jana Stará

The aim of the research is development and usage The research focuses on developing theories of the innovative potential contained in research and research in subject didactics on the basis discoveries relevant for education, schools and of a common (trans-didactic) approach to teachers’ work in the following areas: teaching and learning, which includes three basic interrelated research areas: (i) development of the theory of schools and the teaching profession, including the (i) Theory of didactic transformation of content for methodology of their research; teaching research and assessment of its quality (ii) creation of programmes of undergraduate The aim of the research work in professional training and lifelong learning for teachers didactics is to analyse, describe and explain in order to increase the effectiveness of the personal, social and cultural conditions educational activity; and intentional learning processes of pupils in

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tuition and based on it, to formulate suggestions pedagogical constructivism. In it, the pupils’ ideas and recommendations for improvements of (preconceptions) are related to the activities with educational practice, especially through the the curriculum by one of the key entry conditions of professional training of teachers. intentional learning because their inter -subjective Didactic transformations of content processes diversity encourages critical discussion and thinking are analysed and interpreted in the research about the studied content and motivates its with regard to the degree of so -called cognitive cognition. activation of pupils, i.e., with respect to the active The aim of research into pupils’ ideas is therefore motivated formation of pupil’s knowledge. to gain understanding of the didactically functional Cognitive activation of pupils is one of the key relationship between the development of ideas, determinants of tuition which by its occurrence and the quality of activities and the improvement of the actual state in tuition determines the degree of competencies in socially conditioned learning. quality of education; therefore, it is one of the most important categories (or variables) which justify subject didactic or trans-didactic research. Research of the psychological development of a child under the influence of scholarization (ii) Research and theory of conduct and thinking of teachers in leading, planning and reflection Principal Investigator: of teaching Dr. Anna Kucharská The aim of didactic research and development of the theory of professional conduct and thinking The research in this area focuses on the theory of the of teachers is to understand the determinants psychological development of pupils and adolescents which determine the quality of teachers’ didactic in the context of school, family and their own impact on pupils in tuition. The research and individual activities, including interactions, both in development of the theory of conduct and terms of basic research and application approaches thinking of the teacher is based on three key (the creation of diagnostic tools). constructs: (1) professional sight, (2) reflective competence as a part of professional competence, Areas of research (3) didactic knowledge of content. We perceive such constructs as a mental framework which falls (i) the child and pupil on the developmental within the context of reflections and discussion trajectory (from pre-school age to adolescence) on teacher training, on the development of their and in the context of school demands and professionalism and improvement of the quality of requirements – the concept of the social role teaching through reflection on practice. of the pupil and student in the perspective of education formation, personal development and (iii) Research and theory of pupils’ ideas in relation productive social inclusion; emotional, social to activities, competencies and learning content. and motivational aspects of learning (e.g., fear The aim of didactic research and development of and boredom at school, the time perspective the theory of pupils’ ideas in relation to activities, of secondary school students, including the competencies and learning content is influenced possibility of diagnostics, diagnostic tools); by the contemporary culture of teaching and (ii) development of literacy with the search for learning, which draws inspiration from social and psychological aspects and measures of this

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process, the dynamics of the development policies strengthen the full-value and effective of reading, writing, reading comprehension, participation of people with disabilities in the the variability of development in high-risk social and economic life of the society. groups (children with learning disabilities, with The European labour market is only partially dysphagia, with Asperger’s syndrome, poor able to offer employment to people with readers, etc.) diagnostic options, diagnostic disabilities. Gender, age and disability determine tools; the variety of job opportunities. Differences in (iii) influence of the family and family the availability and use of new technologies in circumstances, education and upbringing various types of disabilities can strengthen active (including the issue of equal opportunity), citizenship or, on the other hand, weaken it. This is communication between the school and the especially true for people with mental disabilities. family, the theme of the relationship between Public and Social Administration determines the the family and child with a behavioural access to new technologies. disorder and the school. Adapted new technologies effect changes in the (iv) monitoring the development and life of an individual, including short-term changes transformation of children’s culture, the in education, employment, life in the community, family and gender relations and connections but also long -term fundamental changes that will with upbringing and education; improve the economic independence and social (v) research of the position of minorities in integration of a person with disabilities. school, social factors and their influence on Obstacles in terms of finance, technology and the formation of pupils’ personality and social availability limit the options to acquire customized inclusion; technology.Lea Květoňová Information barriers hinderCesty individual (vi) people (children, adolescents) with special choice in the market of tailored technology and educational needs, concepts, options and proceduralIva Strnadová barriers limit effective accessk inkluzi to it.

strategies of inclusive education as an urgent Vanda Hájková KAROLINUM

task for the present and future school, Cesty k inkluzi counselling and prevention in school -age children (problems in child development, childhood disorders, gifted children and their position and upbringing at school, etc.).

Publikace Cesty k inkluzi zpracovává situaci studentů se speciálními vzdělávacími potřeba- mi v průběhu jejich studia na vysokých školách. Zvláštní pozornost je věnována překáž- Supportkám ve studiu, for se kterýmipeople se vysokoškolští with studenti special se speciálními needsvzdělávacími potřeba- mi setkávají, a strategiím, které se studentům při překonávání těchto překážek osvědčily.

Mezi stěžejní témata této publikace patří: Principal– fi lozofi cko-historickáInvestigator: a etická refl exe jinakosti v kontextu vysokoškolského prostředí – formy podpory, které jsou dostupné vysokoškolským studentům se speciálními vzdě- Dr. Janlávacími Šiška potřebami, a zkušenosti studentů s dostupnou podporou – asistence vysokoškolským studentům se speciálními vzdělávacími potřebami – analýza postojů k jinakosti u žáků základních a středních škol – postoje vysokoškolských pedagogů k inkluzivnímu vzdělávání Research– vysokoškolské of the studium early z perspektivy development studenta s Aspergerovým of syndromem children with multiple– situace disabilities vysokoškolských studentů and se specifi its ckými support, poruchami učení. strategies of subsequentJak vyplývá ze zkušeností rehabilitation vysokoškolských studentů and se speciálními education vzdělávacími of potře- bami prezentovaných v této publikaci, právě překážky ze strany společnosti jsou ty, které childrenjim nejvíce with znesnadňují cochlear život. implants. Searching for and verification of knowledge of how different social Lea Květoňová, Lea Iva Květoňová, Strnadová, Vanda Hájková

cesty k inkluzi_mont.indd 1 12/21/12 3:06 PM

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FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Modelling of rational inattention Research of public administration employees in economics in the Czech Republic

Principal Investigator: Principal Investigator: Dr. Jakub Steiner Dr. Arnošt Veselý

The research focuses on the implications of Research of public administrative structures rational inattention to economic decisions is based on the traditional understanding of of individuals and companies. Models of officials (public policy analysts in the Anglo -Saxon rational inattention focus on situations where tradition) as impartial executors of well-defined it is costly for individuals to collect relevant tasks from their superior political decision-makers. information about a certain problem and This traditional approach, based on the ideas rationally limit the amount of information they of Max Weber and others, has, however, been receive. Filip Matějka, for example, studied recently challenged by numerous studies pointing the issue of price dynamics of a monopolist out the complex nature of everyday work of public- when it is costly for the monopolist to collect -administrative staff which goes beyond normal information about the demand for their routine actions. These studies, particularly the product. The model is able to replicate a wide Canadian, Dutch and British ones, together with range of facts observed in reality, for example, the theoretical concepts of the role of officials that prices vary between several fixed values, or in policy-making processes, stood at the birth that persistent shocks in prices are manifested of a specific orientation of public-administrative with a delay. Matějka also studied the problem research into the nature of activities of employees of discrete choice, when individuals can choose of public administration institutions (policy work from a limited number of options (such as research). investments) and the detection of revenues is A research team from the Institute of costly. Michal Bauer and Filip Matějka study Sociological Studies FSV CU, led by Dr. Arnošt rational inattention empirically. Specifically, Veselý, conducted research into the activities they study how information on the ethnic of the staff of Czech ministries and regional origins of tenants or applicants for a job affect authorities. Two quantitative surveys were used the amount of information the other side finds for the research to identify the activities, tasks and out about them. methods of interaction in the everyday activities of these workers. In order to obtain sufficient added value, the survey of the ministerial staff also focused on ascertaining their professional capabilities, values, accountability and politicisation.

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The main research results so far known International interactions: relations, demonstrate the significant diversification of security, and space workflow incl. ways of interaction (superiors, colleagues, clients, other offices) in comparison Principal Investigator: with sparse quantitative data analysis and Dr. Jan Karlas evaluation. The available records also demonstrate a low level of appointing directly politically This research programme deals with three areas engaged people to managerial positions in that all concern international interactions: ministries (except for the positions of deputies). international relations, international security, and Overall, the research results suggest that thanks geopolitics. In the area of international relations, to the use of various professional-administrative the research team concentrates on the analysis styles, current public administration employees of of international institutions. It proceeds from an the Czech Republic take on some defining features assumption that international institutions facilitate of a professional bureaucracy so far attributed to the mutual coordination of states’ policies. In members of the regulated professions. this way, they help to the resolution of global problems, which cannot be anymore tackled by the independent effort of individual states. Apart Collective memory as a theoretical from global institutions, the members of the and research concept research team also pay attention to the European integration process. Principal Investigator: In the area of security, the research programme Dr. Jiří Vykoukal concentrates especially on strategic studies and critical security analysis. Strategic studies deal A research group centred around the UNCE e.g. with the role of military technologies in workplace pays attention to the issue of collective international politics. The concern with strategic memory in its socio -cultural, political and historical studies is balanced with the research in critical context in the 20th century. The multidisciplinary security studies. This stream brings to the study approach and cooperation of the project exceeding of security the emphasis on the ideational and the boundaries of institute and faculty is typical. discursive segments of security. Research topics include: The geopolitical part of the programme explores the relationship between international politics and (i) Memory of Totalitarian Regimes human geography. It examines the key theories of (ii) Traumas of post -conflict societies (the geopolitics, as well as the relations between space Holocaust, the civil war in Yugoslavia, and politics in the key regions of the contemporary colonialism) world. It aims at uncovering the dynamics that (iii) The role of memory in international relations results from the global character of the current and cultural diplomacy world and from its constantly shifting internal (iv) Memory in art, education and culture. boundaries.

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Media in the public sphere focuses on the study of popular culture, especially television shows and in the Czech environment Principal Investigator: signiﬁ cantly anchored television series. Dr. Alice Němcová Tejkalová

Several groups involved in international teams which approach the topic from different theoretical perspectives are involved in this research. The group focused on the research of journalism around Alice Němcová Tejkalová focuses on the analysis of media content, the working conditions of journalists and changes in them, ethical principles, the relationship between journalists and their sources, the inﬂ uence of media ownership on the media industry, the relationship between politics, business and journalism, and so on. The team is involved in the largest ever international comparative research in this area, the Worlds of Journalism Study – www.worldsofjournalism. org. The PolCoRe group around Václav Štětka primarily focuses on the transformation of political communication research, with a focus on the so- -called new media and their potential for political and civic participation. The group is involved in several international comparative studies of political communication in the COST framework. The research into the history of media has recently focused on the implementation of the three -year project “Czech media in 1945–1948”. The research in the ﬁ eld of cultural studies performed by the

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FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT

Biomedical determeninants of movement of movement on mental processes, self-concept, values, moral development, motoric performance, Guarantee: etc.) as well as the macro-social level (the analysis Prof. Václav Bunc of the role of sport as a social phenomenon, the organization governance and ethics and integrity The proﬁlIing and unique activities of the Faculty of sport, researchIng relationships of social include: the evaluation of predispositions stratiﬁcation and participation into various kinds for movement loading, and thus also for the of movement activities). Special emphasis is independence and self -serving of seniors and put on disadvantaged groups in the population, selected groups of patients – obese, dialyzed, such as children and youth, children with ADHD, disabled, cardiac – and evaluation of the effect of persons with special needs, minorities, seniors, in individual regime measures. relation to possible social exclusion. The predispositions for movement and sport Further, this area studies the meanIng of performance at different levels of performance movement for the formation of life-style and for are evaluated, starting with children and ending the development or preservation of movement with seniors, and at the same time an effect of and psychosocial skills that are necessary for applied training and regime measures is evaluated the adequate adaptation of various groups in with the aim of adaptation of lifestyle, reduction the population in changIng conditions in society of negative contemporary lifestyle, increase in (e.g. the creation of positive value orientation in performance, cultivation of movement skills, children and enhancIng of quality of life of seniors) reduction of weight, etc. and creatIng a cooperative environment and the stimulation of social capital.

Active lifestyle and quality of life Biomechanical aspects of interaction Principal Investigator: of man and environment Prof. Pavel Slepička Principal Investigator: Research focuses on two basic areas connected Dr. Karel Jelen with the role of various forms of sport and movement activities in influencIng psycho -social Biomechanics researches into questions of the dimensions of quality of life. It deals with the functional and structural response of connective individual and micro -social level (the individual, tissues, organs and systems to a dynamical stress family, school class; research on the influence field. The aim of the research is a mathematical

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expression of rheological parameters of thermo- on concrete tasks with respect to work security, -visco -elastic tissue structures (ligaments, transport, ballistic safety and the safety of free- tendons, bones and muscles). The output is then -time activities, e.g. sport), and the development of a parametrical expression of artiﬁcial materials physiotherapeutic products (e.g. unstable electro- (nanomaterials – scaffolds, implants) as the inputs -mechanical platforms, motion splints). for their production; the recommendation of stress The department is recognized as an Expert programs during restoration of the organism after Institute of Forensic Biomechanics of Charles an injury or an operation; and reconditionIng University in Prague – the application of procedures. Another focus is on issues concernIng biomechanics into the area of justice, the law and the motor interactions of man (with an emphasis expert evidence.

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FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

German and French Philosophy both the milieus of experiencing, as well as with (EuroPhilosophie) the objectiﬁed environment of a naturalised world. “Environment” (“Umwelt”) is a central Principal Investigator: concept already used in early phenomenological Dr. Karel Novotný philosophy and philosophical anthropology. Primarily, phenomenological analyses show to The main focus of research and teaching is newer what extent the concept of ‘environment’ is not German and French philosophy, particularly objective, but is subjective. This lays the ground phenomenology. The core of its most recent not only for clarifying the concepts of “nature” research activities has been the investigation of and “natural environment” in correlation to bodily the relationship of body-based subjectivity with subjectivity, but also for unveiling the potential

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imagination, sign and language play within the of reviewed journals in the Czech Republic, is process of the interaction of subjectivity and its included in scientiﬁc databases, and publishes surroundings. texts in Czech and English.

Historical Sociology Expertise in Longevity and Long-term Care

Principal Investigators: Principal Investigator: Dr. Jiří Šubrt Dr. Iva Holmerová Prof. Johann Pall Arnason The CELLO-ILC is specialised interdisciplinary The key theme is modernisation, with research centre focused on longevity and aging- the assumption that modern society and -related issues with emphasis on applied research, modernisation processes are rooted in long-term public policies and policy-oriented research, and history and are inﬂuenced by trends, traditions, evidence -based practice in the management and and speciﬁc historical constellations. Other topics delivery of long -term care and support services. include issues of social change, globalisation Recently, the Centre implemented several trends, civilisation analysis, religious and cultural research and development projects for the Czech pluralism, or the formation of states and nations. Government (Ministry of Health) and for the The department works on research projects regional governments. It is a member of the Global focusing on the issues of collective memory, Alliance of International Longevity Centres. The national elites, Central Europe (in collaboration CELLO co-operates with international organisations with the University of Cologne), and the Arab (WHO, EUGMS, INTERDEM, Alzheimer Europe, revolutions. Eurocarers, etc.) and participates in international The editors of Historická Sociologie journal projects (ELTECA, FRAM, INNOVAGE, PALLIARE, (B. Šalanda, executive editor K. Soukalová) work INDUCT etc.). at the department. The journal is on the list

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CENTRAL LIBRARY OF CHARLES UNIVERSITY

Modern methods in education for creating e -learning courses, is among the biggest Moodle installations worldwide (about Principal Investigators: 5,000 courses and 50,000 users). Development Dr. Jitka Feberová of methodology for the evaluation of e -learning Prof. Stanislav Štípek courses is also in progress at CU (www.certik.cz). The central installation of Adobe Connect Charles University is systematically developing (webinars, video conferencing) and Streamserver e -learning tools for education (dl.cuni.cz). The CU (distribution of educational videos) is also central installation of LMS Moodle CU, a system available to teachers. Subject Wiki are operated

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at a number of faculties. CU also deals with the this network – a portal platform, LMS Moodle issue of standardization of tests. The Medical and WikiSkripta, where Moodle and WikiSkripta Faculty of Charles University in Prague contributed are operated for the entire MEFANET network at signiﬁcantly to the creation of MEFANET (Medical Charles University. WikiSkripta (www.wikiskripta. Faculties Network www.mefanet.cz), aimed eu) is the most visited repository of materials for at sharing electronic educational materials of undergraduate medical education in the Czech medical faculties in the Czech Republic and Republic. It contains more than 8,000 articles Slovakia. Three main tools are operated within and 20,000 to 30,000 readers go there daily for information.

Further information on the MRA can be found on http://www.cuni.cz/UK-7114.html

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Cover Photo © Archive of Charles University Photography © thinkstockphotos.com (pp. 10, 11, 14, 18, 21, 22, 25, 29, 34, 35, 38, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 54, 65, 68, 70, 73, 75, 84, 86); Archive of Charles University (cover, pp. 2, 3, 4, 5, 26, 31, 32, 39, 78, 81, 83); Map Collection, Faculty of Science (p. 61); Martin Frouz (p. 54), 2015; Published by: Charles University in Prague Redaction: 116 36 Praha 1, Ovocný trh 3, Press and PR Ofﬁce Telephone: 224 491 248, fax: 224 491 309, e-mail: [email protected] Graphic design: Karolinum Press Closing date for data: 9/2015 Issued: 10/2015 Not for sale. Publication is distributed free of charge.

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