News: Faculty of Science

Palacký University received the highest possible rating in the evaluation of research organisations in the higher education segment. The international evaluation panel commended the fact that science at UP does not remain confined to laboratories and that the university has a social impact, translating knowledge into practice. It also assessed the university’s strategic management. The evaluation results demonstrate that UP is a solid part of the national elite and is successfully strengthening its position in the international research arena.

Palacký University received an overall grade of A – Excellent – in the 2025 evaluation of research organisations in the higher education segment. This conclusion was reached by the tripartite committee based on materials from the international evaluation panel, the provider’s analysis, and the opinion of the expert advisory body.

“I would like to thank all employees and departments for their systematic work and dedication during this demanding evaluation of our university.” Rector Michael Kohajda

Preparations for the international on-site visit by evaluators to UP and the creation of extensive self-evaluation reports focused on social significance, management, and the strategy for research, development, and innovation at UP began in the spring of 2024, through careful collaboration among all university units. In recent days, this culminated in a significant recognition for the university.

“I would like to thank all employees and university units for their systematic work and dedication during this demanding evaluation of our university. Thanks to them, it has been confirmed—and we can rightly be proud—that we are among the national leaders in science and can continue on our current course,” said Rector Michael Kohajda.

Along with Palacký University, only seven other universities out of a total of 33 evaluated received the highest grade of A in the evaluation of research organizations in the higher education segment: Charles University, Masaryk University, the Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT), the Brno University of Technology (VUT), the University of South Bohemia (JČU), the University of Chemistry and Technology (VŠCHT), and the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (UMPRUM).

The strict scrutiny of international experts

The evaluation (on-site peer review) was conducted by an international evaluation panel nominated by the universities and approved by the Ministry of Education, consisting of ten experts from leading institutions. It was chaired by Professor Jean-Pierre Gesson, a French chemist, long-time rector of the University of Poitiers, and an international expert with extensive experience in European evaluation agencies.

“The evaluation is highly informative precisely because it is based on the independent perspective of an international panel and a transparent process,” said Jiří Drábek, Vice Rector for Science, Creative Activity, and Knowledge Transfer, adding: “The highest rating is the result of the long-term work of the entire university. It has been confirmed that high-quality research, thoughtful strategic management, and coordinated preparation across all UP units are essential prerequisites for success.”

Science that helps society

The panel recognised strong examples of societal impact and the transfer of knowledge into practice—whether in the development of new diagnostic methods in medicine, advanced materials, cultural heritage preservation, modern education, or addressing current social and legal challenges.

The international panel also evaluated the university’s strategic management. In their final report, the auditors state that UP successfully implements the principles of Open Science and systematically supports young talent.

“The university’s vision of being an institution of excellence at the national level and beyond is justified by the high quality of its research, as well as by the systems and rules that have been created or innovated during this period. UP stands at the centre of current developments in the field of research evaluation in Europe,” the evaluation report states.

We will not rest on our laurels

The evaluation report also identifies areas where the university should strengthen its ambitions—international partnerships, success in prestigious European grants, support for early-career researchers, and research performance in certain social science disciplines.

“The result is a source of pride, but also a commitment. We view the report as a formative tool for the university’s further development. We will focus on achieving greater success in Horizon Europe programmes, particularly the ERC, on systematically supporting the doctoral and postdoctoral environment, on strengthening international visibility, and on supporting fields where the panel recommended increasing research productivity,” added Vice Rector Drábek.

conclusions of the tripartite meeting, are published on the website strategie.upol.cz.

How does family background affect the health and well-being of Czech children? Significantly. The quality of life for adolescents in the Czech Republic is not determined solely by their individual decisions but is fundamentally linked to the socioeconomic situation of the family they come from. The latest data from the international HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) study, coordinated in the Czech Republic by a research team from Palacký University, confirm that family background is a key factor that influences the mental health, eating habits, and physical activity of Czech schoolchildren.

Children from less affluent families face significantly higher health risks than their better-off peers. For example, their risk of depression is 57% higher, and the difference is also evident in their overall outlook on life—children with lower socioeconomic status have roughly half the chance of high life satisfaction.

“It turns out that socioeconomic status is not just a matter of being on the poor-to-rich spectrum. It is a factor that significantly influences the level of stress children face as they enter adolescence. If we truly want to address children’s mental health and well-being, we must focus on systemic support for those who start from less advantageous positions,” says Dita Protopopová, national coordinator for mental health policy.

Inequalities are also evident in physical health—children from disadvantaged backgrounds are nearly twice as likely to be overweight or obese. The study challenges the assumption that the cost of sports in clubs or after-school programs is a barrier to physical activity. Differences in physical activity stem more from differing family habits and attitudes toward health as a priority. Children from socially and economically disadvantaged families also more often lack the “healthy balance” in their diets that fruits and vegetables provide, which their wealthier peers commonly consume.

The Czech Paradox: Material Average and Unequal Life Chances

In terms of material well-being, the Czech Republic ranks in the middle of the pack in international comparisons (alongside countries like Finland, Spain, and England). Yet in Czech society, family background determines, for example, children’s future academic success and mental well-being far more strongly than in many other similarly developed countries.

“In terms of the impact of social and economic inequalities on children’s mental health or their success in school, the Czech Republic is among the countries with significant disparities. Our goal must be to reduce them. Even in a country with very decent material security, these factors still too often determine children’s starting point and their life experiences,” explains Pavla Gomba, Executive Director of UNICEF Czech Republic.

School and Teachers as an Anchor of Stability

School remains a significant stabilising factor for disadvantaged children. Trust in teachers is higher among children from less affluent families than among those from well-off families. Children from weaker socioeconomic backgrounds perceive a higher level of support from their teachers than their wealthier peers (38% vs. 33%) and also trust teachers more; this applies to 56% of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, which is eight percentage points higher than among children from the most affluent families (48%).

“It appears that Czech schools are able to at least partially bridge social divides by offering a kind of relational anchor where other sources of support are weak. Teachers here do not function merely as those who impart knowledge, but as key guides who provide disadvantaged children with a sense of stability that may not be a given in their home environment,” concludes Michal Kalman, head of the HBSC research team at the Institute of Social Health (OUSHI) of the Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology at Palacký University.

Socioeconomic disadvantage manifests itself in the school environment as a double burden: Children from lower-status families achieve, on average, poorer academic results—49% of them have average or below-average grades, while among children from well-off families, this figure is “only” 37%. At the same time, these children feel less supported by their peers—adolescents from better-off backgrounds are 34% more likely to have positive peer relationships.

“The HBSC report represents an important milestone because it provides the first comprehensive analysis of socioeconomic inequalities and their impacts on children’s health and behaviour in the Czech Republic. It clearly shows that social background matters: children growing up in less favourable conditions face a higher risk of unhealthy behaviour and subsequent health problems. Risky behaviours, such as smoking or alcohol use, as well as differences in physical activity and nutrition, are significantly influenced by the environment in which children grow up. “The findings presented in this report should therefore serve as a clear call for cross-sectoral action to create a supportive environment for children, limit harmful influences, and ensure that every child has an equal chance to grow up healthy and thrive,” said Zsofia Pusztai, Head of the WHO Office in the Czech Republic.

The HBSC epidemiological study examines a wide range of lifestyle aspects among children and adolescents aged 11–15 in the Czech Republic and nearly 50 other countries worldwide. It is conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). A research team from Palacký University in Olomouc has been conducting long-term monitoring of factors influencing the health of Czech schoolchildren aged 11, 13, and 15. In the current study, data were collected from nearly 15,000 children at 250 schools of various types throughout the Czech Republic. This extensive research among Czech schoolchildren was supported by the EU through the Jan Amos Komenský – Top-Level Research Operational Programme via the DigiWELL project. The HBSC study researchers publish their findings in a clear and engaging format on the Healthy Generation website.

The Czech Republic has taken a major step toward the nation´s first-ever mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced yesterday that the European Space Agency (ESA) has signed an agreement with Vast to carry out the Czech orbital mission. The upcoming mission, involving astronaut Aleš Svoboda, will also include conducting 13 scientific and technological experiments. One of them is the PUMR-B project, a collaboration between CATRIN at Palacký University and the Brno-based company S.A.B. Aerospace.

Scientific experiment PUMR-B addresses the critical role that plants will play in sustaining human life in space. Its goal is to study in detail the physiological and molecular changes that spring barley undergoes while growing in a microgravity environment. A specialized bioreactor is being developed to grow this crop during the space mission.

“We believe that exposing barley to a microgravity environment will help us uncover previously unknown molecular and metabolic pathways involved in stress responses. This knowledge can then be applied in new breeding programs to develop varieties with greater resistance to extreme conditions. We are close to completing the bioreactor’s final design. As for the upcoming experiments, we are fine-tuning everything to ensure they are as effective as possible so that we can subsequently obtain as much data as possible from them,” explained Véronique Bergougnoux, the project’s principal investigator at CATRIN.

Members of the PUMR-B project research team had the opportunity to meet Aleš Svoboda in person at yesterday’s press conference in Prague. The Czech astronaut is expected to serve as the mission’s pilot, though his inclusion in the crew must still be approved by a panel of all five international ISS partners. Svoboda is set to join French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who has been named commander of this mission.

“Meeting Aleš Svoboda was amazing. I’m so happy that I was able to present our experiment to him in person. I was excited as a little girl—a Czech astronaut is going to take our experiment into space, and the mission commander will be French,” expressed her double joy the scientist, originally from France.

The mission, which will be part of Vast’s first commercial astronaut mission to the ISS, is scheduled for 2027. Transportation will be provided by SpaceX using a Dragon spacecraft launched by a Falcon 9 rocket. Aleš Svoboda would thus become our second astronaut in history after the Czechoslovak Vladimír Remek, and also the first Czech to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

The PUMR-B device is a self-contained experimental module designed for operation aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in the ICE Cubes Facility. Inside, it contains a special growth unit (SGPU) divided into two parts—one for plant growth and the other for their roots. The experiment itself will last 12 days.

Palacký University plans to dedicate this September to its alumni. Under the title “Alumni September,” it will offer a series of events at the faculties and in the centre of Olomouc, designed to remind former students of their university years while showcasing the current state of the country’s second-oldest university. This year, the university is also commemorating the 80th anniversary of its reestablishment. The highlight of the programme will be a gathering of alumni over the weekend of September 11–12 at Horní náměstí and the UP Arts Centre at Konvikt.

“Alumni September is a month full of events prepared especially for our graduates. The faculties and other university departments are opening their doors and inviting former students to graduation ceremonies, gatherings, lectures, guided tours, and informal events where they can make new connections or reconnect with old ones,” said Michael Kohajda, UP Rector.

The programme will take place throughout the month at individual faculties, but the main focus is on the second weekend of September. Horní náměstí will be transformed into a venue for a large alumni gathering, featuring a musical programme by the Olomouc-based New Street Band and singer Marcello, who is also a university graduate.

The university wants to remind both former and current students that one remains a member of the academic community long after receiving a diploma. Vice Rector Matěj Dostálek

Konvikt will become a hub for cultural and social events. Visitors can look forward to the O.li.v.y improv show, the UPportunities discussion, screenings of this year's winning films from Academia Film Olomouc, and an evening programme featuring DJs. A relaxation zone designed for informal gatherings of former students will also be available.

Families with children will also find something to enjoy. The programme will include a family zone with a bouncy castle, face painting, and the unique experience of making ice cream using liquid nitrogen. The accompanying programme will also feature a pub quiz in the main cafeteria on 17. listopadu Street and a special selection of university merchandise at the UPoint store on Horní náměstí.

“The September reunion, which we are already preparing intensively, will be an opportunity not only to return to places associated with one’s studies, but also to establish new professional and personal connections. The university values its graduates, seeks to strengthen mutual ties, and wants to remind both former and current students that one remains a member of the academic community long after receiving a diploma,” added Matěj Dostálek, Vice Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility.

Of course, individual faculties will also play a significant role in the September Alumni Homecoming 2026 programme. Graduates will be able to attend the annual graduation ceremonies at the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Science, tour the new buildings of the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and the Faculty of Health Sciences, or participate in department meetings and other faculty events. In addition, the Faculty of Arts will award the Dean’s Prize for promoting the good name of the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University.

The university-wide gathering will also coincide with the 40th anniversary celebrations of the University of the Third Age. Furthermore, the traditional European Heritage Days will take place in Olomouc during the same period, opening up a number of historical and cultural landmarks in the city.

The university invites its alumni to confirm their participation via the registration form published on the UP Alumni website. The complete programme of all events is available on a special website dedicated to September Alumni Homecoming 2026.

A special photocatalytic material based on graphitic carbon nitride, developed at the University of Ostrava and VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava can effectively break down antibiotics and other pharmaceutical substances that commonly used wastewater treatment technologies are generally unable to remove, meaning drug residues end up in waterways via the sewer system. This is the conclusion of research conducted in collaboration with experts from the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, Palacký University.

The study’s results were published in the international journal iScience. The scientists will continue to test the potential use of the photocatalytic material in wastewater treatment.

“Analytical chemistry plays a crucial role in the development of new environmental technologies.” Petr Bednář

The research team focused on the efficiency of photocatalysis, a process in which a special light-activated material triggers chemical reactions that break down organic pollutants in water. The graphitic carbon nitride used contains no metals, is chemically stable, and works not only under ultraviolet radiation but also under ordinary visible light.

“Laboratory experiments showed that within two hours, the material was able to remove more than 95 percent of the antibiotic ofloxacin and the drug diclofenac. In the case of caffeine, the efficiency reached approximately 80 percent,” said Petr Bednář from the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the Faculty of Science.

The experts also described the degradation mechanisms and, using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, identified the intermediates formed during the ongoing reactions. The results suggest that most of these substances pose a lower environmental burden than the original drugs. “Without modern analytical methods, we would not be able to determine whether harmful substances actually degrade safely and what chemical processes occur during water treatment. Analytical chemistry therefore plays a crucial role in the development of new environmental technologies,” noted Petr Bednář.

The study, titled “Photocatalytic degradation and transformation of pharmaceuticals using exfoliated metal-free g-C3N4,” was published in the journal iScience by Cell Press.

A week-long intensive programme focused on methodological approaches in nursing research, hosted by the UP Faculty of Health Sciences, promoted the development of research skills and international collaboration. The programme included a session on the use of AI and a hospital visit.

Participants from several countries engaged in the Blended Intensive programme (BIP) titled “Integrating Methodological Approaches in Nursing Research: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Applications,” focusing on the integration of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods in nursing research within the context of an evidence-based approach.

The week at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Palacký University began with a welcome address to guests from several countries by Dean Jiří Vévoda and Vice Dean for Internationalisation Lukáš Merz. Participants then presented their research plans and began working on joint topics in international teams. They also bonded through presentations about their countries and tastings of traditional dishes.

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The subsequent professional programme focused on working with scientific sources and on ethical principles of research. Participants were introduced to the methodology for searching for professional literature, selecting studies, and conducting transparent research; in a separate session, they worked with Lior Naamati Schneider from Israel on the practical use of AI tools in healthcare and their ethical implications.

Other sessions focused on individual research approaches, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs. Lecturers included Peta Jane Greaves from Northumbria University, Ewelina Kolarczyk from the Medical University of Silesia, Elena Gurková, Dominika Kohanová, and Juraj Čáp from Slovakia, and Zuzana Svobodová from the organising Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Palacký University.

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“The programme also included a professional excursion to Šumperk Hospital, where participants gained valuable insight into the clinical environment and discussed ways to bridge the gap between research and practice. This experience contributed to a better understanding of the importance of an evidence-based approach in everyday healthcare,” said Daniela Bartoníčková, head of the institute.

The in-person portion of the programme culminated in teamwork on joint research projects and their presentations. “The BIP at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Palacký University was a unique opportunity to develop research skills, establish international collaboration, and share experiences in the field of nursing. I want to thank all the lecturers for their participation, and especially Petra Kašparová and Eva Kollárová for their help with the organisation, as well as all members of the Department of Nursing team for their support,” added Daniela Bartoníčková.

Two-in-one — this is one way to describe a new material developed by an international team of scientists including researchers from the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (CEET) and CATRIN at Palacký University. This versatile material, based on iron and carbon atoms, can not only convert plastic waste into useful products, but also reduce the cost of manufacturing important chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The researchers recently published their findings in the prestigious journal Nature Catalysis and are now planning to scale up production to a pilot-plant level.

The scientists set out to help address one of today’s most pressing challenges: plastic recycling. They focused on polystyrene, global production of which exceeds 20 million tonnes annually, while only a negligible fraction – approximately one to three percent – is currently recycled. Existing recycling methods are either inefficient or technologically complex and environmentally unfriendly.

“Mechanical recycling of polystyrene leads to deterioration in product quality and limits its further applications. Pyrolysis is energy-intensive, requires very high temperatures, and the resulting chemical mixture must be purified through complex processes. That is why we developed an environmentally friendly low-temperature technology which, with the help of oxygen and ammonia, enables the production of benzonitrile. This is a highly valuable chemical used as a key building block in the production of pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and other industrial chemicals,” said Radek Zbořil, one of the lead authors of the study affiliated with CEET and CATRIN.

However, converting polystyrene and other organic compounds into nitriles is highly challenging because their chemical bonds are stable and difficult to break. The key to success was therefore the development of an efficient catalyst capable of lowering reaction temperatures while increasing the yield of the target product.

“The catalyst is based on iron atoms dispersed within a carbon support and stabilized by nitrogen and boron atoms. This specific chemical environment surrounding the atomic iron, together with the porous structure of the support, is essential for achieving efficient low-temperature conversion of polystyrene. The material can be easily produced on a large scale and, once the chemical process is completed, it can be recycled and reused. These factors are crucial for the advancement of industrial processes,” explained Jagadeesh Rajenahally, another corresponding author affiliated with CEET and the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock, Germany.

The applications of the new catalyst extend far beyond polystyrene. It can also efficiently convert dozens of organic compounds into valuable nitriles used in chemistry and pharmaceuticals, for example in the production of antidepressants and diabetes medications. Its versatility, ease of production, lower energy consumption, and the significant cost reduction it offers for many chemical processes are expected to accelerate its adoption in industry. The scientists are therefore planning to scale up production to a pilot operation.

“The atomic catalyst is remarkably versatile. We successfully used it in the synthesis of around 60 valuable nitrile-based chemicals utilized in pharmaceuticals and industrial chemistry. We operate at significantly lower temperatures than current industrial production methods, and thanks to the controlled reaction pathway, we generate only minimal amounts of waste by-products. In a flow reactor, we demonstrated the material’s stability over many days during polystyrene conversion, which are very promising results for transferring the technology into practical applications,” Zbořil concluded.

Palacký University had the honour of welcoming H.E. María Pérez Sánchez-Laulhé, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Czech Republic, to its campus. This was her first visit since taking office. She first visited the Department of Romance Studies at the Faculty of Arts, then met with the university’s Vice-Rector Ivona Barešová and Head of Partnerships Office Tereza Kalousková. They discussed the existing cooperation between Palacký University and Spanish universities, including current statistics on student mobility in both directions, as well as the European university alliance Aurora.

“One of its members and an important partner of ours is the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, which is currently focusing intensively on the internationalisation of studies and, among other things, the development of the COIL concept—Collaborative Online International Learning. Our discussion also touched on the possibility of deeper institutional cooperation between Palacký University and the embassy, particularly at the level of individual faculties and academic departments,” noted Ivona Barešová. Spain has long been one of the most popular destinations for UP students, while Spanish students make up the largest group of incoming Erasmus+ exchange students.

The Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) international popular science film festival, organised by Palacký University, has just come to an end. Since April 28, it has literally energised the entire city and attracted over 8,000 visitors. Filmmakers from around the world visited Olomouc, and the public had a unique opportunity to see documentaries that best reflect current trends in how scientific research is popularised in today’s audiovisual media.

For 61 years, AFO has been presenting science as a natural part of life. This year, 600 titles were submitted to the festival under the theme “A Common Ground.” Sixty-one documentaries competed for the original prize—a kaleidoscope by glassmaker Martin Hlubuček.

“It was wonderful to see how our ideas and plans became reality, such as the experiment with the spring cinema on Horní náměstí, whose screenings were ultimately a great success with our visitors. I am also incredibly happy that completed films that once went through our workshop for film professionals are returning to the festival, and that these films are so good they are winning awards from international juries and the audience itself. “And of course, I’d like to thank the entire AFO team, which this year consisted of over 350 people—it’s a joy to watch the fantastic work they do, with such passion and enthusiasm,” said AFO Director Eva Navrátilová.

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Porota Mezinárodní soutěže zvolila za nejlepší mezinárodní populárně-vědecký film snímek Medvěd otravný (Nuisance Bear). Vítěz velké ceny poroty za dokumentární film na Sundance je fascinující sondou do nelehké koexistence lidí a medvědů, který spojuje navýsost moderní formální zpracování a důležité téma.

„Film přináší působivý vhled do toho, jak politické systémy a útlak překroutily naše pojetí ‚soužití‘ s přírodou. Odhaluje, že tyto názory jsou hluboce zakořeněny v historii ničení, koloniálním dědictví a pokračujícím útisku inuitských komunit. Niternou kamerou a strhujícím zvukem film vyzývá k zamyšlení nad tím, co je vlastně ‚otravnost‘, a vykračuje z hranic převládajících narativů o vymírání,“ zdůvodnila rozhodnutí porota festivalu.

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A Special Mention goes to the film Sešlo z očí (Out of Plain Sight), whose creators follow an investigative case involving the dumping of toxic nuclear waste on the California coast. As part of the Science Communication Awards, the jury awarded the prize to the film Phenomena: When Elements Dance (Phenomena). It explores the world of chemical reactions and invisible physical phenomena, vividly demonstrating how the film medium can bring us closer to what we wouldn’t otherwise have full access to. Australian filmmaker and director Josef Gatti was not at AFO for the first time; in the past, he participated in the festival’s gathering for creators—Camp 4Science.

“I’m incredibly grateful that I was able to return to AFO and take home two awards. It means a lot to me; I share your vision of what science should look like. It’s truly wonderful that this festival exists. “I’ll probably use the prize money to buy a microscope so I can film smaller forms of life,” said the filmmaker, who succeeded at AFO this year with his feature-length debut.

The Czech and Slovak competition also offered a wide range of diverse topics

The award for Best Czech and Slovak Film went to Tomáš Elšík’s documentary Při zemi (Resilience). This environmental ballad, with its unique audiovisual approach, tells the story of people who have dedicated their lives to caring for the Czech landscape. Robin Kvapil received a Special Mention for his film Smoke, whose title alone alludes to its theme of penalties for growing marijuana.

The Science Communication Award goes to another film produced by Czech Television—Stone Age Voyagers. This archaeological-historical film explores the experiment of Czech archaeologist Radomír Tichý and his attempt to reconstruct the voyage of farmers across the Aegean Sea.

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“I was here two years ago with Masters of Ancient Crafts, when I met Associate Professor Tichý. He then invited me on an expedition, during which this winning film was made. What fascinates me about it is that it’s not about borders or the Czech Republic; it’s a European theme. We filmed in Greece, Italy, and the Czech Republic, and everywhere people were interested and enthusiastic because it connects us. And it shows that humanity is one,” revealed director Tomáš Kratochvíl.

In the short film competition, the top prize went to the film Karin and Lennart: The Last Observers. Director Maja K. Mikkelsen follows her parents, Sweden’s last weather observers, in a loving portrait that captures their mutual affection and passion for their specific field of science.

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“We selected the Best Short Film of AFO 61 from 21 entries. This winning film is a tender portrait of the dedication, precision, and conscientiousness of people who observe and record the natural world, and it is characterised by fragility, humour, and joy. At a time when many of these values are becoming increasingly rare, this work shows a way of life without pretence and without a desire for publicity or recognition from others,” the jury decided.

The Immersive Media Competition promotes the popularisation of science through interactivity

The project MAMLAS-1 received an honourable mention in this competition section. It is an interactive game/puzzle in which you must learn to drive a vehicle across the surface of a distant planet and collect mineral samples. To play it, you have to adapt to something completely new. The award for best immersive work went to the project Zčistajasna (Out of Nowhere). In it, we find ourselves in the shoes of a woman living in a picturesque town in the Austrian Alps.

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The award for Best First or Second Scientific Documentary went to the film Snow Leopard Sisters. In the Dolpo region of Tibet, a trio of directors follows two women who represent a clash of generations and views on the predatory snow leopards, of which only a few dozen remain here. The Student Jury Award went to the documentary Menopause Mystery, a film that breaks the taboo surrounding the subject, which was part of both the festival’s International Competition and the non-competitive section Diagnosis: Unknown. Another new addition this year is the award in the European Spotlight category. The section explored trends and methods of contemporary science communication in film within the context of European documentary, and the award went to the film Killing Time: Science of Boredom.

And how did the audience vote?

The Audience Award, sponsored by Czech Television, went to the film Phenomena: When the Elements Dance!, which also won the award for science communication in the International Competition.

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“This year, Sandbox Films once again recognised the best projects participating in the Camp 4Science program. The winning projects are Near Life and The Great Seagull Film. The first deals with near-death experiences and touches on the boundary between science and spirituality, while the second explores the relationship between humans and nature through the coexistence of seagulls and people,” added program director Dominik Vontor.

The award for exceptional contributions to the popularisation of science is presented by AFO to the Czech Ornithological Society, which beautifully correlates with the winner of the Czech and Slovak competition—the society collaborated closely on the film Při zemi.

Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) is today the largest popular science film festival in Europe. Since 1966, it has been connecting scientists, filmmakers, students, and the general public, creating a space for sharing knowledge and open debate about the world we live in. More on www.afo.cz.

May is traditionally associated with the Palacký University Olomouc student festival, the Olomouc Majáles. This year’s event, the 14th edition, will take place on May 6 and 7. For the first time in history, the busy programme will be hosted at the Olomouc summer cinema complex, known as Letňák. Visitors can look forward to two music stages featuring two dozen bands and performers, plus a theatre tent, an AZ quiz, presentations by more than seventy student clubs and non-profit organisations, and an accompanying programme for the whole family. The queen of this year’s May Day Festival will be Dina Štěrbová, a well-known mountaineer, activist, and educator closely associated with Palacký University.

The main programme will start on Thursday, May 7, but the organisers have planned a warm-up event the day before. “Visitors to the Majáles festival will have the opportunity to learn about more than seventy student and non-profit organisations and university departments, which will have their booths in Letňák, congratulate the recent winners of the UP Literary Competition, or participate in the popular AZ Quiz with Aleš Zbořil. The popular O.LI.V.Y. and slam poetry will also be there,” said Matěj Dostálek, Vice Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility at UP.

“We are very pleased that the kings who reigned over previous editions of the Majáles will be succeeded this year by a queen on the imaginary throne. She will be Dina Štěrbová, one of the greatest figures in Czechoslovak mountaineering, who has conquered two eight-thousanders and whose professional life has been linked to Palacký University for nearly thirty years.” Ondřej Martínek

Fly Tomorrow, Kristýna Smutná, and Hudebka Live—a group formed by students from the Department of Music Education in Olomouc—will provide plenty of musical energy. The entire Wednesday programme will last until the early hours of the morning and will conclude with a silent disco. The first day will also feature several charity events, an outdoor programme, and a major contest with prizes worth fifty thousand crowns.

Last year, musician Petr Fiala was crowned King of the Majáles. The symbolic royal sceptre was passed to the frontman of the band Mňága a Žďorp by the previous year’s Majáles ruler, singer-songwriter Michal Horák. Photo: Vojtěch Kmenta

On Thursday, participants in the Majáles celebrations can look forward to a lavish musical lineup. From early afternoon until late at night, rock, pop, rap, folk, and dance music will fill the air from two stages. “There will certainly be great interest in the performance by Vypsaná fixa, a pop-punk legend that has been playing for over thirty years and is always a welcome guest in Olomouc. On the other hand, Slavíček, a phenomenon of the digital music scene who carefully guards his identity, will be performing in our city for the very first time,” noted Ondřej Martínek, the main coordinator of the Majáles celebrations from the UP Marketing and University Events Offices. He also highlighted another name—singer Kaya. As a teenager, she won the Mattoni Music Talent competition. She even had her own billboard in Times Square in New York. The series of live performances will conclude with the band Elektrïck Mann. “Last year we welcomed Mňága a Žďorp to the May Day Festival; this year we decided to invite another legend from Valmez,” summarised Michael Kozák, the festival’s coordinator.

Details and the programmw are available at  olomouckymajales.cz

The highlight of the main programme will be the coronation of the Queen of Majáles shortly before 5:00 p.m. “We are very pleased that the kings who reigned over previous years of Majáles will be succeeded by a queen on the symbolic throne this year. She will be Dina Štěrbová, one of the greatest figures in Czechoslovak mountaineering, who has conquered two eight-thousanders and whose professional life has been linked to Palacký University for nearly thirty years,” emphasised Ondřej Martínek. Dina Štěrbová taught mathematics at the Faculty of Science. Her involvement in humanitarian projects is also significant—twenty years ago, she helped establish a high-altitude hospital in Pakistan. In 2023, President Petr Pavel awarded her the Medal of Merit, First Class. “The programme will also include a discussion with the newly crowned Queen of Majáles,” added Ondřej Martínek.

On Thursday, visitors can also look forward to a sale of handmade goods, massage therapists, tattoo artists, and high-quality Olomouc cuisine. The organisers have also planned a sports programme, including morning yoga for the public, discussions and lectures at UPoint and the UP Student Club, and a special Majáles quiz at the Jazz Tibet Club. Afterparties will take place at the Olomouc clubs Bocca and Varna.

A Majáles celebration wouldn’t be complete without plenty of music. This year is no exception. Photo: Vojtěch Kmenta

As is tradition, admission to the event is free on the first day. Tickets for the second, main day can be purchased at a discounted price until Tuesday, May 5, at the university store and the UPoint information centre. Student tickets will be available on-site for 150 CZK; other visitors will pay 250 CZK. The organiser of the UP Olomouc Majáles is Palacký University. The general partner of the event is Tvarg, and the main partner is Veolia.

The UP Olomouc Majáles is organised by the university as one of the last traditional student Majáles festivals. The university’s marketing office and some forty students are behind its preparation. In the past, Josef Jařab, Jindřich Štreit, Ivana Plíhalová, Marek Eben, David Koller, Erika Stárková, Petr Fiala, Michal Horák, and Miroslav Krobot have been crowned at the festival.

Scientists from the Department of Biophysics of the Faculty of Science of Palacký University Olomouc collaborated with the French cosmetic brand Guerlain and LVMH Recherche on a research program related to the development of a unique range of products aimed at slowing down skin aging processes. The knowledge gained in the laboratories of the Faculty of Science of Palacký University Olomouc (UP) was highlighted in the new Orchidée Impériale Gold Nobile – The Goldessence, which represents a new milestone in modern skin care based on scientific research.

Olomouc scientists used advanced biophysical and optical methods, which allows for detailed monitoring of biological processes in the skin, to demonstrate novel properties for the core ingredient technology of the Orchidée Impériale Gold Nobile range. The research focused in particular on the so-called ultra-weak photon emission – very weak light signals emitted by skin cells and which can serve as an indicator of aging.

Ultra-weak photon emission as an indicator of aging

“Our results show that ultra-weak photon emission can be a sensitive indicator of changes in the skin associated with aging. Thanks to unique measurement technologies, we are able to monitor these processes and better understand how their course can be influenced,” said the head of the research team, Ankush Prasad from the Department of Biophysics.

The new product formula uses an active ingredient extracted from the Dendrobium nobile orchid (Gold Nobile), which is associated with the restoration of UPE emissions close to those of normal skin cells, as compared to senescent cells. Biophysical analyses helped to clarify the mechanisms by which this ingredient contributes to improving the appearance of the skin, its radiance and reducing visible signs of aging.

Connecting science and luxury cosmetics

The Faculty of Science of Palacký University began cooperation with the Guerlain cosmetics house, which is part of the LVMH group, in 2022. This partnership was subsequently followed by a three-year contract focused on further research into mechanisms related to the modulation of ultra-weak photon emission in human skin and their contribution to cellular functions.

“This project is an example of how basic research in biophysics can find concrete applications in practice. Connecting the university environment with an industrial partner allows scientific knowledge to be transferred into real products,” added Ankush Prasad.

 

Research with an impact on everyday life

The project confirms the growing importance of collaboration between academia and industry and shows that cutting-edge research conducted at the UP Faculty of Science can contribute to innovations in areas of everyday life, including modern skin care.

Science made interesting, science made accessible, science everywhere. Once again, Olomouc is hosting the Academia Film Olomouc international festival, organized by Palacký University.

Although yesterday’s opening ceremony traditionally kicked off at the cinema, AFO isn’t just there. The entire city literally belongs to it. Thousands of visitors can look forward not only to dozens of films from around the world, but also to discussions, concerts, walks, and other events.

And as Rector Michael Kohajda notes on the festival website, AFO is more than just a film festival. “Academia Film Olomouc has long demonstrated the important role the university plays not only as a place for education, science, and research, but also as an active part of our society. The festival is one of the most striking examples of fulfilling the so-called third role of the university—it opens science to the public, promotes dialogue, and contributes to understanding the contemporary world. I greatly appreciate that students from Palacký University play a significant role in its organisation. Here, they gain valuable experience, learn to communicate scientific topics clearly, and develop skills that extend beyond their field of study and their academic work itself.”

So don’t hesitate. It’s definitely not too late. The programme for the 61st year is packed with films and events. Basic admission is free; all you need is accreditation on the festival website. We’ve written about the festival in detail here and here.

Due to the ongoing war, the number of Ukrainian students at Palacký University has increased. At the Department of Slavic Studies in the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University, this situation has also turned into an unexpected opportunity. Here, Ukrainian students are translating selected Czech legal regulations into their native language. In doing so, they are contributing to the reforms necessary for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

The Department of Slavic Studies at the UP Faculty of Arts has joined the project Czech Legislative Assistance to Ukraine, which aims to support Ukrainian lawmakers in preparing the reforms necessary to align with the European legal system. Students enrolled in the course Professional Text Translation 4 (KSU/7POT4) are participating in the project. There are ten native Ukrainian speakers.

As part of their studies, they translate selected Czech laws, for example, in the areas of animal protection, hunting, nature and landscape conservation, or veterinary care. The completed translations are then reviewed by a Ukrainian lawyer and subsequently forwarded to government institutions in Kyiv. There, they serve as a basis for preparing and approving new legislation.

For their work, students receive not only a course grade and three credits, but also a certificate of completion of the translation practicum.

“We joined the project because we can take advantage of the presence of native Ukrainian speakers who know Czech. Under expert guidance, they are able to translate legal texts into a form that a Ukrainian lawyer needs only to review and forward to the relevant institutions. For the students, it is also an opportunity to help their country while studying in the Czech Republic,” said Radana Merzová, head of the Ukrainian Studies section at the department.

The project combines teaching with practical experience and also represents a concrete contribution by the university to supporting Ukraine during this difficult period. It builds on a cooperation agreement between Palacký University and the International Institute for Development and Transformation Cooperation.

Even very low concentrations of pesticides can disrupt the microbiome of aquatic invertebrate larvae, thereby affecting their health and resilience to stressors. This is the conclusion of a new study by researchers from the Faculty of Science at Palacký University and the University of Ostrava, which focused on dragonfly larvae.

The results of the study, titled Trace amounts of insecticide, herbicide, and their combination disrupt the bacterial and fungal microbiome of a nontarget aquatic invertebrate, were published in the prestigious journal Environmental Pollution.

The researchers monitored the effects of two commonly used pesticides on the larvae of the common darter (Sympetrum vulgatum). They focused on the herbicide metazachlor, applied primarily in rapeseed fields against common weeds, and on the insecticide etofenprox, which is used against insect pests. Using molecular methods, they analyzed the larvae’s microbiome—a collection of tiny microorganisms consisting primarily of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microscopic life forms—and found that the insecticide caused the most significant changes. It reduced the diversity of the microbiome, altered the composition of microbial communities, and disrupted the relationships between individual microorganisms. The combination of both substances did not have a stronger effect than the insecticide alone, but it did influence the way microbial communities form.

Even low concentrations of pesticides disrupt microbial balance

“A key finding is that changes in the bacterial and fungal microbiome of the larvae were observed even at extremely low concentrations of pesticides, which were well below levels commonly found in aquatic environments. This concentration can be imagined as a single drop of the substance in a volume of water equivalent to roughly one hundred thousand Olympic-sized swimming pools. The results thus show that even minute amounts of these substances can disrupt sensitive biological processes,” said the study’s lead author, Hana Šigutová, from the Department of Zoology at the Faculty of Science, UP.

“A key finding is that changes in the bacterial and fungal microbiome of the larvae were observed even at extremely low pesticide concentrations, which were well below the levels commonly found in aquatic environments.” Hana Šigutová

According to the scientists, pesticides can also suppress potentially beneficial microorganisms and promote the growth of species associated with disease, as well as with the breakdown of foreign chemical substances. “Because the microbiome can significantly influence the resilience, health, and ability of its hosts to cope with stressors, trace exposure to pesticides in non-target aquatic organisms represents a serious problem that is still overlooked,” added study co-author Petr Pyszko from the Department of Biology and Ecology at the Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava.

Natural environments enhance organism resilience

The research also showed that a naturally formed microbiome can play an important role in host resilience. Larvae collected from the wild had a richer microbiome and greater diversity of microbial communities than individuals reared under laboratory conditions and exhibited higher resistance to pesticides. According to the authors, this suggests that natural microbial colonization may help organisms better cope with environmental stress.

“For a more accurate assessment of ecological risks, it is therefore necessary to monitor not only direct toxic effects but also subtle changes in microbial communities, including the fungal component, which remains largely unexplored,” concluded Hana Šigutová.

In just one week, Olomouc will host the international Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) at Palacký University, which from April 28 to May 3 will offer a selection of today’s most compelling documentaries, inspiring guests, and a supporting programme – an outdoor cinema, concerts and DJ sets, VR screenings, lectures, walks, scientific experiments held in the town square, and activities for children and teenagers. Basic admission is free; all you need is accreditation on the festival website. 

For 61 years, AFO has been showcasing science as a natural part of life. This year, approximately 600 titles from around the world were submitted to the festival. Sixty-one documentaries are competing for the unique prize—a kaleidoscope by glassmaker Martin Hlubuček. In addition, audiences can look forward to films in non-competitive sections, bringing the festival’s total lineup to 139 titles.

“I would recommend, for example, the film About Time and Water, a documentary adaptation of Andri Magnason’s Icelandic book about coming to terms with the loss of glaciers and one’s own ancestors, or the film Super Nature, a collective declaration of love for the landscape and film material, shot on a historic Super 8 camera. My Chemical Information System presents science and the life of a scientist without embellishment as a socially beneficial yet often overlooked vocation; André Is an Idiot reminds us not to underestimate even such a basic examination as a colonoscopy; and the film Afterlives analyses the principles of media propaganda,” said programme director Dominik Vontor, inviting audiences to the festival.

 

Among the Czech films, the series Potížistky (Troublemaking Women) —an entertaining, collage-like history of feminism—is worth noting, as is Návštěvník Jindřich Polák (Visitor Jindřich Polák), a portrait of a seminal genre filmmaker working with the methodology of new film history, and in the short film competition, for example, the heartwarming collection Co se mění? (What Is Changing?), perfect for lifting spirits.

“We don’t view the festival merely as a film showcase, but as a platform for sharing, discussion, and exploring connections. Science is not isolated; it is present in people’s stories, in the landscape, and in everyday decisions,” says Dominik Vontor. He added that AFO will, for the first time, offer screenings with audio description for the blind and subtitles for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and the opening ceremony will be interpreted into sign language. Alongside traditional documentaries, there will be virtual reality projects and screenings at unconventional locations, such as the Huss Congregational Hall or the cemetery in Neředín.

Programme outside cinema halls

The square will feature the popular giant inflatable models of the Earth and the so-called Astrosphere, which displays the night sky, including constellations not visible from the Czech Republic. On Saturday, visitors can also look forward to an inflatable planetarium. “This year’s accompanying programme also includes a new feature, the so-called ‘spring’ cinema—that is, a summer cinema in challenging weather conditions, but with an all the better atmosphere. We’ll be screening films right on Olomouc’s Upper Square; the screen will be set up right next to the astronomical clock, and we’ve selected titles that can warm even casual passersby. “I’m delighted that we can bring film a little closer to the public space again,” says AFO director Eva Navrátilová, inviting audiences to the festival.

The festival as a space for understanding

This year’s AFO lineup explores the theme of shared discourse across a range of sections that focus on current social and personal issues. For example, the section “Hello! How Are You?” explores dating and the transformations of interpersonal relationships in the digital age, while “Diagnosis: Unknown” presents powerful testimonies about living with chronic illness and draws attention to the lack of attention we devote to these issues. “Echoes of the Future” reflects on the future as a space of both fear and hope. The Culture of Victory explores our need to compete and the significance of sports in society. At the same time, AFO Junior offers children and adults alike a space for shared discovery, empathy, and understanding. A prominent part of the programme is also the Music is Science section, which, in addition to concerts, features audiovisual performances connecting music, science, and technology. Among others, musician and producer Max Cooper will be coming to Olomouc.

“AFO has long demonstrated the important role the university plays not only as a place for education, science, and research, but also as an active part of our society. The festival is one of the most striking examples of fulfilling the so-called third mission of the university – it opens science to the public, fosters dialogue, and contributes to understanding the contemporary world. I greatly appreciate the significant contribution of Palacký University students to its organisation,” said UP Rector Michael Kohajda.

AFO attracts world-class personalities

Olomouc will welcome Robert Petit, director of the film Underland, as well as American filmmaker Erin Espelie and British volcanologist and filmmaker Clive Oppenheimer. Both will present their films Ideas of Order and Vulcano Voices in world premieres at AFO. The programme will also feature projects at the intersection of film, science, and new media, such as Hacking at Leaves by Johannes Grenzfurthner and Phenomena: When the Elements Dance directed by Josef Gatti. Guests will also include American journalist Molly Webster and choreographer Marika Hedemyr.

In addition to international guests, visitors will meet, for example, Daniel Stach, Markéta Šetinová, Vojtěch Mýlek, Anežka Dašková, Prokop Pithart, and Daniel Kortus. The program will also feature other guests across various fields—from science to media to the arts.

Science needs a common language

This year’s theme resonates among scientific institutions and festival partners as well. Pavel Banáš, director of the CATRIN UP university institute, highlights the importance of interdisciplinary communication. “When I learned that this year’s AFO theme is a common language, it immediately occurred to me how crucial this is for science. Over the past century, science has become incredibly specialised, and each field has developed its own language. Yet, the most significant discoveries today arise at their intersections. The search for a common language is therefore a prerequisite for truly groundbreaking research.”

According to Jan Konvalinka, director of the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ÚOCHB AV ČR), the festival is significant even in an international context: “What the AFO festival has achieved over the past few decades is unique in both the European and global contexts. We are honoured to be able to support such an event.” Jan Hlaváč, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Science at Palacký University, also emphasises his support for the festival: “The festival connects science with the public and demonstrates that even complex topics can be communicated clearly and engagingly. We share a commitment to critical thinking, openness, and the search for solutions to current challenges.”

Academia Film Olomouc (AFO) is currently the largest popular science film festival in Europe. Since 1966, it has been connecting scientists, filmmakers, students, and the general public, creating a space for sharing knowledge and open debate about the world we live in. The complete programme for each day of the festival is available here.

Sports as a tool for healthier and more cohesive cities was the central theme of this year’s EUniverCities network meeting, which was also attended by Palacký University. Representatives from universities and cities across Europe gathered in Innsbruck, Austria, to share experiences on how physical activity can strengthen public health and social cohesion.

Discussions and concrete examples from practice showed that sport today significantly transcends its traditional role. It can contribute to improving quality of life, prevent social isolation, or help bridge gaps between different population groups. It is precisely the intersection of sport, urban planning, and public health that is thus coming to the forefront of European cities’ interests.

Cooperation between the University and the City

The Olomouc delegation consisted of representatives from the Faculty of Science and the Rector’s Office of Palacký University, along with representatives of the City of Olomouc. According to them, their joint participation confirms that without close cooperation between the academic sphere and local government, such topics cannot be effectively developed. “It is very enriching to see how sports and physical activity are utilised right here in Innsbruck and how the city and scientists have been collaborating on joint research over the long term. It was also inspiring for me to see how other cities collaborate with their universities,” said Simona Šafaříková from the Department of Development and Environmental Studies at the Faculty of Science.

“It is very enriching to see how sports and physical activity are utilised right here in Innsbruck and how the city and researchers have been collaborating on joint research over the long term.” Simona Šafaříková

The meeting’s programme included not only presentations by experts from the local university and city hall but also a series of workshops focused on active mobility, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and the sustainable use of natural spaces. The topics of inclusion and equal opportunity also played a significant role—participants discussed how to adapt sports infrastructure for seniors, women, migrants, and people with disabilities.

From Inspiration to Future Projects

The programme also included field trips to projects that combine sports, architecture, and sustainable development, such as the GreenINN student housing complex. According to participants, these examples demonstrate that systematic support for physical activity can be a natural part of modern urban planning.

Participation in the EUniverCities network provided the Olomouc delegation with new contacts and concrete ideas that Palacký University, together with the city of Olomouc, intends to utilise in preparing future projects. They plan to focus specifically on areas where the promotion of health, sports, and the quality of the urban environment intersect.

Two American academics are enriching the curriculum at Palacký University this year. Thanks to the prestigious Fulbright Program, political scientist Keith E. Lee from Valdosta State University and financial education specialist Lucy M. Delgadillo from Utah State University are teaching here during the summer semester.

Keith E. Lee teaches at the Department of Politics and European Studies at the UP Faculty of Arts, where he works with students in the field of political science. At the UP Faculty of Education, Lucy M. Delgadillo, who has long focused on financial literacy and education, is sharing her expertise.

The involvement of foreign experts through the Fulbright Program strengthens not only the quality of teaching and research but also the international dimension of the academic environment. The programme, which is jointly funded by the governments of the Czech Republic and the United States, enables Czech institutions to host leading educators and researchers from the U.S.

“In my seminar, students critically examine how American political institutions—from Congress and the presidency to the judicial system—influence the formation of public policy. How they cope with various constraints, and how they exercise power in a complex political environment,” said Keith E. Lee, an American political scientist and university professor who has been teaching at Valdosta State University in Georgia since 2020. At UP, he also teaches courses focused on working with data in the social sciences. In these courses, he introduces students to both the basics of data analysis and more advanced visualisation techniques. He emphasises not only the processing of data itself, but also the ability to clearly and effectively communicate the results of analyses to a broader audience, particularly users from both the public and private sectors.

"Czech students are not afraid to ask thoughtful questions; my colleagues are very open-minded and intellectually stimulating.” Keith E. Lee

“Working with Czech students and academics is very inspiring for me. The students are thoughtful, well-prepared, and unafraid to ask thoughtful questions that lead to genuine debate. My colleagues at Palacký University are very open-minded and intellectually stimulating. All of this contributes to an excellent environment for teaching and academic teamwork,” he added. He has been collaborating with Palacký University for several years. He last visited the Czech Republic in May 2024 as part of the Maymester program, when he accompanied American students from Valdosta State University during their academic stay in Olomouc. As part of the programme of the same name, students from his home institution will be coming to UP again this May.

Keith E. Lee is well acquainted with the local academic environment. He is even studying Czech, which demonstrates his interest in the local academic and cultural environment and strengthens his qualifications for international educational collaboration. He will deliver a public lecture titled Congress at the Crossroads: War Powers and the Crisis of Congressional Authority in the Václav Havel Lecture Hall. It will take place on April 27 at 5 p.m.

Lucy M. Delgadillo has already lectured as part of the “Afternoon with Science” series during her stay at the UP Faculty of Education. Her research interests include financial coaching, counselling, and education with a focus on behavioural finance, the affective and cognitive outcomes of financial literacy initiatives, and housing finance. Students can meet her primarily in the Financial Literacy course.

When speaking with students who want to pursue a teaching career, she always emphasises the fundamental professional requirements. “Love your students. Sincerely. That is the foundation of everything. Learning is only possible when students feel seen, respected, and cared for. Focus on the learning process, not just the results. Real education happens through questions, mistakes, growth, and small breakthroughs. If you focus on how students learn—and not just what they produce—you will have a lasting impact. And above all, be patient—with your students and with yourself. Learning is a journey for both the teacher and the student,” she said.

“Real education happens through questions, mistakes, growth, and small breakthroughs.” Lucy M. Delgadillo

During her visit to the Faculty of Education at UP, she is also participating in research. Together with Alena Opletalová from the Institute of Pedagogy at the UP Faculty of Education, she is preparing an article for publication titled What Utah Can Learn from the Czech Republic: Opportunities to Improve Financial Literacy Among High School Students. This study aims to compare mandatory financial literacy courses for secondary school students in Utah and the Czech Republic. By examining structural and curricular features, as well as differences in teacher preparation and competency requirements, this research study seeks to offer insights into best teaching practices and recommend strategies for improving financial literacy in both countries.

In the future, both researchers hope to present their findings at at least one national or international conference. “Dr. Opletalová and I have excellent academic synergy. I hope this first collaboration of ours will lead to further ones,” concluded Lucy M. Delgadillo.

Dr. Keith E. Lee is an American political scientist and university professor who has been teaching at Valdosta State University in Georgia (USA) since 2020, where he specialises in research and teaching on the U.S. Congress, Southern U.S. politics, and public administration. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science (2010) and a master’s degree in public administration (2011) from Valdosta State University. He completed his doctoral studies in political science in 2017 at the University of Florida. His research focuses on American politics and public policy; his studies have been published in numerous academic journals and presented at international conferences. He is the co-author of a public policy textbook and actively participates in the professional life of the political science community, and holds a leadership position in the Georgia Political Science Association. In addition to his academic work, he collaborates with local governments and non-profit organisations as a data analyst, supporting decision-making based on empirical data.

Lucy Delgadillo is a faculty member at the College of Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education at Utah State University, where she teaches and conducts research in family finance, communication, and financial literacy. She earned her Ph.D. in Family Life (Consumer Sciences – Housing) from the same university in 1999, where she had previously earned a master’s degree in political science with a focus on political communication. Her education also includes two bachelor’s degrees in communication, sociology, and media studies from the University of Costa Rica and Murray State University in Kentucky. She is the author of more than 100 publications. In addition to research, she is passionate about working with future teachers, with whom she collaborates on developing financial literacy among students across various educational disciplines. In collaboration with Alena Opletalová, she compares financial education in the Czech Republic and Utah. She develops recommendations for improvement for both states.

 

Key topics—regulation, infrastructure, the use of AI in companies, and talent development—were on the agenda of the “Igniting AI Ambitions” conference, organised by the Czech Association for Artificial Intelligence (of which Palacký University is a member) at the Hybernia Theatre in Prague. The event featured discussions on strategic areas of AI development and digital sovereignty. It was attended by Jitka Machalová and Rostislav Vodák, representatives of the Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics at the UP Faculty of Science.

The conference was structured as a series of four panel discussions involving representatives from public administration, academia, and the private sector. The debates reflected the current challenges and ambitions of the Czech Republic in the field of artificial intelligence, with the need to strategically anchor AI as a key tool for future competitiveness repeatedly emphasised.

AI Regulation

“The first panel addressed the issues of AI regulation, currently one of the hottest debated topics. There appears to be no clear consensus among European stakeholders. On the one hand, there is an emphasis on safety and regulation, which may, however, slow innovation; on the other hand, there is a push for a more flexible approach that supports faster technological development. For the academic community, this implies the need to actively monitor legislative developments, particularly in the context of developing and making proprietary models available,” said Rostislav Vodák.

The second panel discussion focused on AI infrastructure. “We learned that the current capacities of computing and storage systems in the Czech Republic are reaching their limits. The issue of digital sovereignty was also discussed—that is, to what extent data and computing capacities should be under the control of European or national entities,” added Jitka Machalová. In this context, the need for strategic decision-making by institutions regarding where data is stored and who has access to it was also raised. Another interesting topic was the possibility of hybrid computing models combining classical processors with emerging quantum technologies.

How Companies Use AI in Practice

The third panel focused on the implementation of artificial intelligence in companies. The discussion revealed that many businesses are still seeking effective ways to integrate AI into their processes. The most common uses currently centre on supporting administrative and communication activities, such as generating emails or summarising information. Examples were also given of the development of advanced AI agents that could automate the flow of information within organisations. This development raises questions for the university environment as well, particularly regarding how to guide students toward the responsible and meaningful use of AI tools.

The final panel focused on AI talent in the Czech Republic. “The discussion centred on the need to strengthen support for basic research and create conditions that would enable universities to attract and retain top experts. A key role here is played not only by state support but also by collaboration with the applied sector, which is currently focused primarily on supporting the startup ecosystem,” added Rostislav Vodák.

AI Day at Palacký University

Palacký University is a member of the Czech Association of Artificial Intelligence, with the Department of Mathematical Analysis’s Technology Platform entrusted with managing this membership. Jitka Machalová and Rostislav Vodák are active members who help connect the academic community with the national AI community.

“We would like to invite everyone interested to AI Day, themed ‘Artificial Intelligence in Education,’ which will take place on June 16, 2026, at the Faculty of Arts of Palacký University,” said Jitka Machalová.

Palacký University has recently become a member of the prestigious European network EUniverCities, which connects universities and cities across Europe. By joining this platform, the university aims to strengthen international cooperation and actively contribute to addressing current social issues. The first active step as part of its membership was the participation of university representatives at a meeting in Innsbruck at the end of March.

The EUniverCities network brings together medium-sized European cities and their universities with the aim of sharing experiences and developing cooperation in the areas of education, research, and urban development. For UP, membership represents an opportunity to participate in shaping the European agenda while drawing inspiration from international partners.

“New opportunities for cooperation and sharing experiences are opening up for us. We see this as an important step toward Palacký University playing an active role not only in the region but also at the European level,” said Tereza Kalousková, head of the Partnership Department and coordinator of network activities for UP, who attended the conference “Moving forward: Universities and Cities Shaping Health and Social Cohesion through Sport” together with Simona Šafaříková from the Faculty of Science.

Membership in EUniverCities also confirms the university’s long-term commitment to internationalisation and strengthening ties between the academic community and the city in which it operates.

You can read more about the international meeting in Innsbruck here.

 

Map of Jewish Settlement in Olomouc Wins International Award

The map, titled The Development of Jewish Settlement in Olomouc: The Geographical and Socioeconomic Structure of the Jewish Population from 1180 to 2021 (VUP, 2022), created in collaboration between the Kurt and Ursula Schubert Center for Jewish Studies at the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Geoinformatics at the Faculty of Science of Palacký University, has received the prestigious Best Map Award 2024/2025. It is awarded by the Journal of Maps (Routledge).

The award-winning map was published in the scholarly article “Development of the Jewish Settlement of Olomouc: Geographic and Socioeconomic Structure of the Jewish Population in the Period 1180–2021” (Cahová, Ivana – Barvíř, Radek, 2025, Journal of Maps 21/1.

“We are very pleased to receive this award. Our map provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the Jewish community in Olomouc from the 12th century to the present day.” Ivana Cahová, Faculty of Arts, Palacký University

The Journal of Maps, founded in 2005, is one of the leading international journals focused on cartography and geoinformation analysis. Since 2008, it has annually presented the Best Map Award to the best contribution that excels not only in its scholarly content but also in its cartographic presentation. The jury selects the winner from a shortlist of published works based on a combination of these criteria.
The jury described the winning map as an “outstanding example of historical geoinformation analysis” with “excellent use of colours and a well-thought-out panel structure that clearly guides the reader through the topic.”
A team of co-authors—at the time mainly CJS students—contributed to its creation: Kateřina Lapiszová, Pavlína Niklová, Anna Řezníčková, Nikola Svobodníková, and Václav Chalupný, in collaboration with external contributors Miroslav Papoušek, Daniel Baránek, Jakub Pospíšil, and Alexander Jeništa. The project was led by editors Ivana Cahová and Radek Barvíř.
“Our map was published as early as 2022, but it was not presented to the academic community until the recent article in the Journal of Maps, on the basis of which it received the award. We are very pleased about this. The map provides a comprehensive overview of the development of Jewish settlement in Olomouc from the 12th century to the present. It captures changes in the spatial distribution of the Jewish population in relation to historical and political shifts and supplements this with an analysis of migration patterns within Central Europe. It also includes graphical representations depicting demographic trends, the community’s socioeconomic structure and its position within urban society, as well as the linguistic and cultural diversity of the population,” summarized Ivana Cahová, head of the Kurt and Ursula Schubert Center for Jewish Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University Olomouc, on behalf of the team of creators.

She also noted that research into the history of the Jewish community in Moravia is one of the long-term priorities of Jewish studies in Olomouc. One of its goals is to make the results of scholarly research accessible to the general public in a comprehensible, visually appealing format. The award-winning map is an example of the successful integration of scientific analysis and modern visualisation methods.
The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the history of the Jewish community in Olomouc and to its placement within the broader context of Moravian and Czech history. At the same time, they open up space for critical reflection on traditional historical narratives regarding ethnic and cultural minorities.

The map The Development of Jewish Settlement in Olomouc: The Geographical and Socioeconomic Structure of the Jewish Population in the Period 1180–2021 (VUP, 2022) was created with the support of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic (project IGA_FF_2021_026). It is available in both print and digital formats on the website of the Center for Jewish Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University.

Authors: Cahová, Ivana (ed.); Barvíř, Radek; Chalupný, Václav; Jeništa, Alexandr; Lapiszová, Kateřina; Niklová, Pavlína; Papoušek, Miroslav; Pospíšil, Jakub; Řezníčková, Anna; Svobodníková, Nikola.