News from UP

How can we protect consumers from greenwashing? Do we have the right to have products repaired? Where does the convenience of digital services end, and where does consumer manipulation begin? And can the law really contribute to a more sustainable future? These were the very questions addressed by the second edition of the international summer school ‘Sustainability and Consumer Protection’, organised by the Faculty of Law at Palacký University.

The programme linked current sustainability issues to consumer protection law and offered participants the opportunity not only to attend specialist lectures, but, above all, to engage in discussion, practical work, and the sharing of experiences across different legal systems.

Around 30 students from various European universities travelled to Olomouc to discuss, alongside Czech and international experts, the challenges that are increasingly significant for consumer law. During the summer school, they addressed topics such as excessive consumption in the digital environment, greenwashing, dark patterns, the right to repair, passengers’ rights and the concept of reducing consumption.

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The emphasis was on participants' active involvement. The students did not merely attend lectures; they also worked in groups, analysed case studies and, at the end of the programme, took part in a mini moot court – a simulated court hearing on a fictitious legal case. It was precisely the practical part of the programme that enabled participants to examine individual topics from various perspectives and develop legal arguments in an international setting.

“We are delighted that the ‘Sustainability and Consumer Protection’ summer school has, in such a short space of time, become one of the most sought-after courses at our faculty. For us as lecturers, it is exceptionally inspiring to see the interest and energy with which students from various European universities discuss topics that will fundamentally shape consumer law in the coming years,” said Blanka Vítová from the Department of Private Law and Civil Procedure at the Faculty of Law, Palacký University, who organised the summer school together with her colleague from the department, Rita Simon. Experts from partner universities abroad also took part in the teaching, including from the University of Silesia in Katowice, the University of Amsterdam, the University of Debrecen and the University of Groningen, which gave the programme a distinct European and comparative dimension.

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The summer school also featured a supporting programme that enabled participants to get to know Olomouc, the university, and the surrounding area. Highlights included a joint intercultural dinner, where participants sampled dishes from various European countries, and rafting in the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area. In collaboration with Palacký University’s Sustainable University Department, a guided tour was also organised for participants, focusing on how Palacký University incorporates the principles of sustainability into its day-to-day operations. Thanks in part to these activities, the summer school became not only an academic experience but also a personally and culturally enriching one.

“For us, the summer school was not just an academic programme. It was an opportunity to create a space where students can learn, ask questions and debate, but also get to know researchers and colleagues from a different academic culture, as well as Olomouc itself. It is precisely this combination of expertise, international cooperation and an informal atmosphere that, in my view, gives the summer school its unique character,” added Rita Simon on behalf of the organisers.

The second edition of the summer school confirmed that the link between sustainability and consumer protection resonates with students and is increasingly significant in legal education. The Faculty is thus continuing to develop an international platform that brings together academic discussion, practical teaching and current societal challenges.

From developing biosensors for plant monitoring to searching for new anticancer compounds, the new Biointerface Technologies research group will cover a broad range of topics. The group has been operating at CATRIN since 1 July under the leadership of David Panáček in collaboration with Tomáš Malina. Alongside its scientific objectives, the group also has an important strategic aim: to enhance the competitiveness of young researchers applying for prestigious European grants, including ERC Starting Grants.

“The newly established group responds to the growing need to connect advanced materials research with biological and medical applications, whether by monitoring biological analytes in the human body or in plants. One research line will focus on sensors for plants, enabling the monitoring of various soil analytes, including pH and salinity, as well as the early detection of harmful viruses and bacteria. The second, led by Tomáš Malina, will concentrate on biomedical research, particularly the development of compounds with anticancer activity,” said David Panáček, Leader of the group.

The establishment of the research group is also intended to strengthen the researchers’ chances of securing European projects. Its first years will therefore be an important period in which the group will develop its research direction, build international visibility and seek external grant funding to support further growth. “Having a smaller, early-stage group with a strong publication record significantly increases our chances of succeeding in European competition. It is a model commonly used at leading institutions abroad,” added Panáček, who gained international experience during a research stay at Imperial College London. His colleague Tomáš Malina can likewise draw on his experience at Karolinska Institutet, where he previously worked.

For both researchers, establishing an independent research group represents another important step in their careers. “It is an achievement and a source of satisfaction. I have always enjoyed leading people in one way or another and motivating them to work at the highest level. Naturally, I also see it as a responsibility, but we will do everything we can to succeed,” said Panáček, adding that the group would gradually expand.

The newly approved European network BIORAG – Biostimulants for Resilient Agriculture – will focus on research into biostimulants that improve nutrient use efficiency and help plants cope better with stressful conditions such as drought, salinity, or temperature extremes. The project responds to the need for European agriculture to reduce the use of mineral fertilisers, improve soil health, strengthen crop resilience to climate change, and, at the same time, maintain high yields with lower inputs. It will link research with industrial partners, regulatory bodies, public policy-makers and other stakeholders from across Europe.

The project’s principal investigator is Shubhpriya Gupta from the Laboratory of Growth Regulators, a joint unit of the Faculty of Science at Palacký University and the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, who will chair the project for four years. The project is scheduled to commence on 29 October 2026.

Natural plant support

European agriculture currently faces several major challenges. These include, in particular, the need to reduce the use of mineral fertilisers, improve soil health, increase crop resilience to the impacts of climate change, and, at the same time, maintain high levels of agricultural production. In line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the European Union aims to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by approximately 20 per cent by 2030. Biostimulants are among the promising tools that can help achieve these goals.

“Biostimulants can improve nutrient uptake, promote root system growth, increase plants’ tolerance to stressful conditions, influence crop quality and yield, or support the activity of the soil microbiome.” Shubhpriya Gupta

Biostimulants are neither conventional fertilisers nor pesticides. They are substances or microorganisms that support plants’ natural physiological processes. “They can improve nutrient uptake, promote root system growth, increase plants’ tolerance to stressful conditions, influence crop quality and yield, or support the activity of the soil microbiome. These include, for example, beneficial bacteria and fungi, seaweed extracts, humic substances, amino acids and protein hydrolysates,” said Shubhpriya Gupta from the Growth Regulators Laboratory.

BIORAG to harmonise biostimulant research procedures

The BIORAG network aims to address the current fragmentation of biostimulant research and to establish a common European framework for their study and evaluation. It will focus on gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of biostimulants, standardising laboratory and greenhouse bioassays, and developing uniform methods for evaluating their efficacy. Another key aspect will be the transfer of validated methods from model plants to agricultural crops and woody plants, the harmonisation of data and experimental procedures, and support for the registration of new biostimulant products.

The COST Action BIORAG project will be divided into four main working groups. “The first will focus on biostimulants and microorganisms, their identification, characterisation and functional analysis. The second working group will address mechanisms of action, for example, using molecular biology, genetics, biomarkers, microscopy and omics technologies. The third group will concentrate on the application, registration and commercialisation of biostimulants – that is, on translating research findings into agricultural practice, addressing legislative issues and collaborating with industry. The fourth working group will be responsible for communication and the dissemination of results, training, networking, public outreach and collaboration between European institutions,” added Shubhpriya Gupta.

New opportunities for researchers and more resilient agriculture

An important part of the COST Action will also be the support of early-career researchers and the sharing of experience between European research institutions. The project envisages training sessions, workshops, summer schools, short-term research visits and the exchange of experience between laboratories. BIORAG is thus set to contribute not only to advancing research into biostimulants but also to the development of a European community of experts in this rapidly evolving field.

The project’s results are expected to help improve the reliability of biostimulant products, accelerate the development of new products, enhance the reproducibility of experiments and facilitate the registration of biostimulants. In a broader context, the network may help make agriculture more resilient to climate change, reduce the use of mineral fertilisers, and promote sustainable land management.

The BIORAG project (reference number CA25180) was approved under the COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) programme. The four-year international network is scheduled to run from 29 October 2026 to 28 October 2030. This is not a traditional research grant, but a European platform that connects researchers, universities, companies, and regulatory bodies. The project’s annual budget for supporting network activities amounts to approximately 140,000–180,000 euros. Funding will be used to support scientific meetings, workshops, training courses, short-term scientific missions (STSMs), conference grants and activities aimed at disseminating the project’s results. The aim is to harmonise research approaches and methodologies and to support the transfer of proven knowledge into agricultural practice.

Projekt COST Action BIORAG bude rozdělen do čtyř hlavních pracovních skupin. „První se zaměří na biostimulační látky a mikroorganismy, jejich identifikaci, charakterizaci a funkční analýzy. Druhá pracovní skupina se bude věnovat mechanismům účinku, například s využitím molekulární biologie, genetiky, biomarkerů, mikroskopie a omických technologií. Třetí skupina se soustředí na aplikaci, registraci a komercializaci biostimulantů, tedy na převod výsledků výzkumu do zemědělské praxe, legislativní otázky a spolupráci s průmyslem. Čtvrtá pracovní skupina bude zajišťovat komunikaci a šíření výsledků, vzdělávání, networking, popularizaci a spolupráci mezi evropskými institucemi,“ doplnila Shubhpriya Gupta.

Nové příležitosti pro vědce i odolnější zemědělství

Významnou součástí COST Action bude také podpora mladých vědců a sdílení zkušeností mezi evropskými pracovišti. Projekt počítá se školeními, workshopy, letními školami, krátkodobými vědeckými pobyty i výměnou zkušeností mezi laboratořemi. BIORAG tak má přispět nejen k rozvoji výzkumu biostimulantů, ale také k budování evropské odborné komunity v této rychle se rozvíjející oblasti.

Očekává se, že výsledky projektu pomohou zvýšit spolehlivost biostimulačních přípravků, urychlit vývoj nových produktů, zlepšit reprodukovatelnost experimentů a usnadnit registraci biostimulantů. V širším kontextu může síť přispět k vyšší odolnosti zemědělství vůči klimatické změně, omezení používání minerálních hnojiv a podpoře udržitelného hospodaření s půdou.

Projekt BIORAG s číslem CA25180 byl schválen v rámci programu COST – European Cooperation in Science and Technology. Realizace čtyřleté mezinárodní sítě je plánována od 29. října 2026 do 28. října 2030. Nejde o klasický výzkumný grant, ale o evropskou platformu propojující výzkumníky, univerzity, firmy i regulační instituce. Roční rozpočet projektu na podporu síťových aktivit činí přibližně 140–180 tisíc eur. Financovány z něj budou vědecká setkání, workshopy, vzdělávací školy, krátkodobé vědecké pobyty (Short-Term Scientific Missions, STSM), konferenční granty i aktivity zaměřené na šíření výsledků projektu. Jejím cílem je sjednotit výzkumné přístupy, metodiky a podpořit přenos ověřených poznatků do zemědělské praxe.

Scientists from the Department of Optics at the Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, have developed a new method that uses artificial intelligence to extract details from blurred images that are practically invisible to conventional optical instruments. The same artificial intelligence model can process images of distant stars as well as individual molecules, without needing to be adapted to a specific telescope or microscope. The results of the research were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications.

 

Every telescope or microscope has its physical limits. If two objects are too close to each other, their images merge into a single blurred spot. This complicates the work of astronomers observing distant stars, for example, or biologists studying structures inside cells. Existing methods that try to overcome this limitation require very precise knowledge of the properties of a specific instrument and its careful calibration.

 

AI learned to see beyond the limits of optics

 

The Olomouc researchers chose a different approach. They trained the artificial intelligence exclusively on computer-generated simulations covering a wide range of optical conditions. As a result, the model did not learn to work with only one specific instrument, but instead captured the general principles by which images are formed in different types of optical devices.

“Our goal was for the AI to learn not just one specific experiment, but a general way of extracting sharper information from a blurred image. This is exactly why the same model can work with data from very different fields – from astronomy to molecular microscopy,” explained Dominik Vašinka from the Department of Optics at the Faculty of Science.

 

From laboratory points to stars in Andromeda

 

The scientists first tested their method in a laboratory experiment where they precisely knew the true positions of the light sources. They then successfully applied it to real data. In images of a region of the Andromeda galaxy, the artificial intelligence was able to distinguish a group of stars that appeared as a single object in the original image. In biological samples, it helped reveal fine cellular structures formed by individual fluorescent molecules.

“The experiment with a controlled true structure of the object was an important step. In real microscopic data, we do not know exactly where the molecules are located, and the situation is similar for astronomical data. We created an intermediate step between an ideal simulation and real samples,” said Filip Juráň from the Department of Optics.

 

Stars and molecules are connected by the same principle

 

According to Jaromír Běhal, seemingly unrelated fields are connected by the same physical principle. “The connecting element is not the stars or the molecules themselves, but the physics of imaging point sources. If AI captures this physics in a sufficiently general way, it can help in situations where classical calibration is time-consuming, unstable, or practically impossible,” he said.

The researchers believe that their approach will make it easier to use super-resolution methods in a wide range of scientific and technical fields. Because the model is not dependent on a single specific instrument, it could in the future find applications wherever it is necessary to extract as much information as possible from optical images.

 

One model for different instruments

 

“This is not merely another image-processing algorithm. What matters is that the model is not tightly bound to a single instrument. This could significantly simplify the use of super-resolution methods in both research and technical practice,” added Miroslav Ježek from the Department of Optics.

The research builds on the long-term work of the Laboratory of Quantum Optics at the Department of Optics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, in the fields of optical measurement, artificial intelligence, and the processing of weak light signals. The project was supported by the Czech Science Foundation, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic through the OP JAK ITI Intersectoral Cooperation “Optical Technologies” program, and the Internal Grant Agency of Palacký University Olomouc.

Links:

Article published in Nature Communications: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75584-7

Laboratory of Quantum Optics, Department of Optics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc: https://opticsolomouc.org/

Illustration author: Monika Tomanová, https://monikatomanova.art/, Instagram @monikatomanova.art

The goal of the new REEactor technology platform is to accelerate and simplify the separation of rare earth elements, reduce waste, and contribute to a more sustainable extraction of strategic raw materials. A team led by renowned chemist Alexander Dömling from the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University will focus on its development thanks to receiving a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant in the Proof of Concept category. The platform will combine automated chemistry, artificial intelligence, and molecular research to help strengthen Europe’s position in the field of critical raw materials and advance the goals of the European Green Deal. It is the only grant among the 182 funded under this call to be awarded to a Czech institution.

“REEactor focuses on finding the molecular key to one of the most difficult problems in the processing of critical raw materials: how to identify and separate rare earth elements that are nearly identical. Instead of slowly testing individual compounds, we will use automation to prepare and test tens of thousands of molecular variants, while artificial intelligence will help us identify the most successful ones. This could significantly accelerate the discovery of separation systems that will be more selective, more stable, reusable, and better suited for cleaner industrial processes,” said Alexander Dömling, who received a grant of 150,000 euros for a one-year ERC Proof of Concept project.

According to him, it is difficult to imagine modern life without rare earth elements. This group of 17 chemical elements is essential, for example, to produce batteries, electric vehicles, airplanes, drones, wind turbines, cell phones, medical diagnostic devices, semiconductors, and high-performance magnets. Today’s industrial rare-earth separation capacity is highly concentrated in China and still largely depends on technologies developed decades ago. Because rare-earth elements are chemically very similar, separating them requires long sequences of repetitive extraction steps, large quantities of chemicals and energy, and generates substantial amounts of toxic waste. The REEactor is designed to eliminate these weaknesses. In this project, researchers will utilize the AMADEUS automated research platform, developed as part of Professor Dömling’s previous ERC Advanced project, which is specifically designed to discover new molecular separation technologies much faster than the conventional trial-and-error approach.

However, the REEactor project will not limit itself to discovering molecular variants. Scientists will test the most promising ones under conditions that closely mimic the actual processing and recycling of rare earth elements. This will verify whether the technology works not only in the laboratory but also has potential for future industrial applications. “In the long term, REEactor could help replace large-scale, resource-intensive industrial separation operations with smaller, modular units that will be more efficient, flexible, and environmentally friendly. The transfer of technology into industrial practice shall be carried out by a newly established spin-off company, REEactor, whose development is another objective of the project,” said team member Imma Capriello, who significantly contributed to the project’s preparation.

The ERC Proof of Concept grant further strengthens Professor Dömling’s research portfolio, which focuses on miniaturization, automation, and sustainable chemistry and their applications—ranging from the development of new drugs and nanomaterials to crop protection products and technologies for critical raw materials. In 2022, this German scientist secured an ERC Advanced AMADEUS grant for the university. He also leads the European ERA Chair ACCELERATOR project.

“China’s strength in rare-earth separation is not only based on access to raw materials. It is the result of decades of accumulated processing knowledge, continuous investment in separation technologies, specialised mining universities, technical plants, and industrial optimisation. Europe cannot simply rebuild this knowledge base by following the same path; that would take too long. The question now is who will generate the next generation of separation knowledge: through slow human accumulation, or through autonomous chemistry. ERC funded REEactor aims to compress this learning curve by using automation and artificial intelligence to discover better separation systems faster, helping to build a competitive European rare-earth supply chain for Europe’s Green Deal future,” said Professor Dömling.

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a total of €27.3 million to 182 researchers in the first Proof of Concept call of 2026. Each grant is worth €150,000 and helps current and recent ERC grantees to explore the commercial or societal potential of their research findings. This grant scheme is part of the EU’s research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe.

I recently visited six cities and eight universities in Ukraine and would like to share some of my experiences. Some of you might recall my previous reports on earlier visits. Thanks to the support of our university and my faculty and department I have been able to visit this war-torn country on a regular basis. This was actually my second visit this spring as I had earlier visited Lviv, Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk with two colleagues from University of California in March for a one-week tour.

This latest, three and a half week trip, was partially financed by Erasmus+ (I encourage you to look into this by the way) and partly by FF UPOL.

My trip began in the city of Ternopil where I visited Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University for the third time. I presented there, and elsewhere, a talk focused on parallels between Irish and Ukrainian history and culture, specifically the shared experience of famine, loss of language and identity and the respective national revivals with, of course, inevitable additional references to affinities with the Czech Lands. After my first talk at their English department, we headed to another building where I was to speak to students of theatre and music studies (I brought my banjo with me and had prepared some relevant Irish songs). I was told we would first participate in a homage to a former student who had just died in the war. A group of teachers and students stood by the side of the road and waited for a funeral procession of cars to drive by (see the picture below). Everyone knelt out of respect and maintained a dignified silence. When the procession passed, everyone stood up, many of them with tears in their eyes. We headed back to the university building, some colleagues hugging and holding hands. Although this is unfortunately quite a regular occurrence, I was struck by how genuine people’s participation seemed to be and by the fact that they immediately, dried their eyes, and went back to work. This remarkable resilience characterized my entire visit. Despite there being no end to the war in sight, despite the mounting numbers of casualties (each village in the country has posters honoring local soldiers who have perished), despite betrayal and/or indifference from supposed allies in the West, Ukrainians continue to put one foot in front of the other and persevere.

My next stop was Kyiv where I visited another partner school Borys Grinchenko Metropolitan University (see picture) and attended the final performance of the Ukrainian staging of the Irish play Translations by the dramatist Brian Friel. I was accompanied by a colleague from Ternopil, Olha Dovbush, as we have been writing an academic article about the Ukrainian translation and performance and how this play about British colonization of Ireland, and the beginning of the destruction of the native language, has met with a strong response in Ukrainian. This will be the fourth academic article I have co-authored with a Ukrainian academic, this being a venture which I would encourage more of you to explore. Ukrainian academics make the equivalent of around 300 Euro per month, teach up to 20 hours per week at university, have additional administrative duties of course, often have second jobs to pay the bills and are expected to publish in impact journals. One way we can help is co-authoring articles and thereby encourage and support their scholarship.

After a peaceful two days in Kyiv (I was there during the anniversary of the end of World War Two when a very brief cease-fire was in place) I headed back west to Lviv where I spent a week on an Erasmus exchange at Lviv Polytechnic University with additional talks at Ivano Franko National University. I then moved south to Ivano-Frankivsk for another Erasmus stay at my home-away-from-home Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University. I stayed in one of the university dormitories once again, only a few blocks away from the site of a bombing of a block of flats several days earlier (see picture). Although Western Ukraine is definitely much safer than cities further East, bombings have become more frequent of late. A father and daughter were killed in Ivano-Frankivsk during my previous visit in March and my colleagues and I were extremely close to the shelling of a church in the centre of Lviv on the same day.

During my stay, I also paid a short visit to Yuriy Fedkovych National University in Chernivti (my third visit) and to a new university, Ivan Ohiienko National University, in the lovely historical city of Kamianets-Podilskyi. I also visited administration staff from Kherson National University which has been relocated to Ivano-Frankivsk since the outbreak of the war.

I was able to renew old friendships and make new ones. As always, I have been honored and moved to share my life and work with Ukrainian teachers and students. I deeply admire how these colleagues of ours persevere despite little light at the end of the tunnel and despite “running on empty” as the title of my report reads. I occasionally wonder if my visits really make that much sense, but realise that visits from colleagues from the West do make a difference during these dark times. I would encourage readers of this report to look into how you might also contribute in some way to this work involving academic solidarity.  

David Livingstone

How do people learn to trust others? Why do people in some societies find it easier to follow rules, cooperate, and reach agreements, while in others it is more difficult? And what happens when a society faces uncertainty, a crisis, or a threat? These are precisely the questions addressed by the CORESPOND project, which will be led by Konstantinos Kafetsios from the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University, and which has received funding from the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant. This type of grant supports globally established scientific leaders with exceptional achievements and ambitious, groundbreaking projects. With a budget of 2.3 million euros, CORESPOND is one of only two ERC Advanced grants awarded to the Czech Republic this year.

The basic idea behind the CORESPOND project is surprisingly simple: the way people in close relationships learn trust, security, or, conversely, uncertainty, may not only affect their personal lives. It can also influence how entire groups and cultures function.

This five-year research project, which will be supported by a budget of 2.3 million euros, is based on attachment theory. This theory describes how people react to uncertainty, stress, or threat depending on whether—and to what extent—they have experienced support from those around them in the past. CORESPOND takes this well-known psychological theory a step further. It examines attachment not merely as an individual’s personality trait, but as a learned behavioural pattern that can be replicated within groups and gradually influence social norms.

“The project will test the hypothesis that these relational patterns are linked to how people trust others, how they follow rules, how they react to rule-breaking, and how they cooperate in situations requiring coordination. In other words: the research team will investigate whether the roots of social cooperation lie deeper than is commonly assumed—not only in values and beliefs, but also in everyday experiences of whether we can rely on others,” explains the project’s principal investigator, Konstantinos Kafetsios.

Migration and the Climate Crisis—How Do Societies Respond to Change?

Methodologically, the project is unique in that it combines laboratory experiments, behavioural design, economic games, international comparisons, and computer modelling. In the first phase, the team will test a new method for measuring relational patterns across four cultures. The research will then be expanded to 17 cultures, and the results will ultimately be validated using data from 53 cultures.

The theoretical contribution of the project lies in offering a new perspective on culture. Rather than explaining differences between societies primarily through values, traditions, or rules, it examines the relational mechanisms that may underlie them. If the hypothesis is confirmed, it will represent a significant shift in our understanding of how trust, cooperation, and social cohesion arise.

“CORESPOND is not just a project, but an extensive research program that elevates the Department of Psychology at Palacký University Olomouc to the ranks of prestigious international research centres,” says ERC consultant Petra Vaculíková, who has long supported researchers at the UP Faculty of Arts in preparing for major research projects.

The research findings will help us better understand why some communities are more resilient to crises than others, how to foster cooperation in multicultural societies, and how to design measures that strengthen trust and cohesion. This is particularly important at a time when societies are facing migration, climate stress, polarisation, and other forms of uncertainty.

The Strength of the Czech Humanities

“Even though we received an ERC Consolidator Grant six months ago, I would venture to say that winning the ERC Advanced Grant is another landmark moment for our faculty. It confirms that Olomouc’s cutting-edge science belongs on the map of Europe,” says Lenka Křupková, Vice Dean for Science and Research at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University Olomouc.

The success rate in this year’s ERC Advanced Grants call was only 9.8%. Jana Mynářová from the Faculty of Arts at Charles University also succeeded in the call on behalf of the Czech Republic with a historical research topic. “We congratulate our colleague Mynářová in Prague. I would also like to mention that collaboration with colleagues from other universities is a standard part of our preparation process. I am pleased that Professor Kafetsios and Professor Mynářová helped each other during the preparation. The success of our two projects also highlights the high level of the humanities in the Czech Republic,” concludes Jan Stejskal, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University.

An entire era has come to an end for the Department of English and American Studies at Olomouc University. Our professor emeritus, Jaroslav Macháček—an icon of Czech linguistics (a student of Ivan Poldauf), a legend, and the most decent person I have ever met—has passed away.

But that era did not actually end with his death; it had already ended in late August 2011, when he stepped down as head of the department, a position he had held since 1990. At that time, he was accepted back into the Faculty of Arts, from which he had been forced to leave in 1970 because of his views—at the very beginning of the period the communists euphemistically called “normalisation,” a period that was anything but normal.

During my studies (1979–1984), Associate Professor Macháček (he was not appointed professor until 1991) was spoken of only in whispers; few of us had ever seen him in person—or so we thought, since we had no idea what he looked like. However, when we were preparing for the exam on historical English grammar, we borrowed his textbook A Brief Overview of the Historical Development of English (I still remember it was a 1964 reprint) as if it were extremely valuable contraband. We also soon discovered that as soon as the examiner found out that a student had been preparing with Macháček’s textbook, he would almost automatically write an “A” in the student’s record. We knew that the author worked somewhere in the boiler room and occasionally taught English to Faculty of Medicine lecturers, and we’d also heard that most of the English versions of scholarly articles or conference papers authored by staff at that same institution were his translations. I imagined an associate professor or professor from the medical school sneaking into the boiler room to hand Associate Professor Macháček some scholarly text, all the while looking over his shoulder to see if he was being followed by an informant from within his own ranks—or even a plainclothes State Security agent.

I first saw Associate Professor Macháček in the second half of the 1980s. He had come to see a theatre performance by Brno students of English, which took place once a year at the legendary Divadlo hudby. I no longer remember who actually introduced him to me, but I clearly recall that the department members at the time—as well as people I didn’t know—greeted him respectfully but then hurried away as quickly as possible, perhaps to avoid trouble in the future.

When he returned in 1990, it was as if he had never left. He didn’t blame anyone, didn’t seek revenge, didn’t become bitter, and didn’t even mention those twenty lost years when he was forbidden to work in his field or publish. And with him came a true academic atmosphere. He made time to chat informally and joke with every member of the department; he knew exactly who was interested in what and what each person was working on, and he could offer encouragement during difficult times. He disliked unnecessary paperwork and meetings; he believed that everyone should do what they do best, in the way that suits them best. And his subordinates returned that trust. The department never had as many major grants and research projects, nor achieved as many publications, as between 1994 and 2011. Department meetings were significant social events, and department members even looked forward to grading entrance exams. Whenever I got stuck while writing an article, I would drop by his office at the department just to chat, and after hearing some witty yet kind remark—perhaps about my ignorance of a Latin saying—my good mood would last for several days, and when you’re in a good mood, the work just flows. His dry English humour was legendary, and no ceremonial event or anniversary was complete without his original speech, which people would talk about with admiration for a long time afterwards. All the students loved him; he was a natural authority figure to them as well.

Although he served as vice dean for international affairs for two years and as vice rector of Palacký University for five years (1992–1997), he was always there for us in the department. You could always come to an agreement with him; he always found a solution. During his tenure, everyone treated one another with respect and consideration because that was how he treated everyone. Back then, no one went after their colleagues or stabbed them in the back; the sense of decorum would not have allowed it. He used his ability to unite and refine relationships not only as a member of the faculty senate and later the university senate, but also, for example, as a member of the praesidium of the Council of Higher Education Institutions.

The fact that he was forever young at heart, yet at the same time wise and experienced, undoubtedly drew his wife, Michaela to him—an excellent linguist and newly appointed associate professor. And when he reached an age when he, too, needed support, she provided it in abundance.

In 1984, under the guidance of Josef Jařab—who also held Professor Macháček in very high regard—I wrote my master’s thesis, in which, among other things, I analysed Walker Percy’s novel The Last Gentleman. As I reflect on this and look around me, it seems to me that this title fits Professor Macháček best of all.

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.