This year’s keynotes and discussions revolved around a central question: How can the global research experience reshape local scientific environments and open up new possibilities for the future of Czech science? The conference was thought-provoking not only for its range of voices and perspectives but also because it was held entirely in English for the first time, reflecting the Czexpats in Science mission to connect Czech science with the wider international research community.
Opening Remarks: Welcoming the Community
The conference opened with a series of welcome addresses from key figures across Czech science and policy, setting the tone for a day of exchange, reflection, and community building.
Ladislav Krištoufek, Vice-Rector for Research at Charles University, highlighted the importance of international experience of individuals for the benefit of Czech science and the role of initiatives like Czexpats in Science in fostering global ties, adding that “for me, the two key things that define Czexpats as an organisation are openness and international networking.”
Dušan Brinzanik, Director of the IOCB Tech Foundation, emphasised the importance of organisations such as Czexpats in Science in creating an environment that makes it easier for the Czech scientific diaspora to return home or to support the Czech research environment from abroad. He also highlighted the need for closer collaboration and shared understanding between expat scientists and Czech research institutions in the years to come.
Jiří Krátký, Special Envoy for Czech Expatriate Community Affairs, reflected on his connection to Czexpats in Science since the early days of the organisation. “From the moment Czexpats began to exist, they naturally became a part of my agenda. And I must admit, a very successful one.”
Markéta Icha Kubánková, Chair of the Czexpats in Science board and its co-founder, explained the organisation’s move towards switching to English language, noting that “the change of the official language of Czexpats from Czech to English also means we have changed our target group – from Czech scientists abroad to Czech scientist abroad, as well as everyone sharing our vision and values.”
Matouš Glanc, Director of Czexpats in Science, highlighted the initiative’s achievements and ongoing projects in 2025, all built around three core pillars: the organisation aims to connect, support, and advocate.
Czexpats in Science in 2025
- Série VEN! launched as a flagship outreach and mentoring program, guiding students and early-career researchers through options for studying and researching abroad, ranging from Bachelor’s to PhD and postdoc levels.
- Map of scientists has become an invaluable tool for mapping Czech scientists at institutions across the globe and is constantly growing.
- Local meetups took place in key European research hubs, including London, Munich and Paris, and visited new locations for the first time this year, strengthening the global Czech scientific network.
- PI_Forum gatherings continued to support principal investigators and research group leaders in Czechia, providing a space for experience-sharing and networking, including discussions on open science and intellectual property.
- Leadership matters conference took place, where Czexpats in Science shared insights with leaders from different stages – from junior leaders to institutional management.
- The development of a new Infoportal tool, designed for anyone considering life and research abroad, or returning back to Czechia. The Infoportal will cover topics such as funding opportunities, working conditions, and everyday practicalities and is set to launch in early 2026.
- Czexpats in Science award had three laureates in 2025: Stanislav Fort, Monika Čechová and Jakub Drápal.
- Advocacy efforts were stepped up, with Czexpats in Science engaging visibly and extensively on science policy and funding issues, emphasising the importance of strong systemic support for Czech research. Advocacy efforts resulted in a transparent and universal definition of a junior researcher incorporated into the new act governing research and innovation.
- Finally, the Czexpats Christmas Conference 2025 itself concluded the year as the community’s main event, in-person and online, reflecting on progress and fostering future collaborations between Czech and international researchers. As in the past, Czexpats in Science also took steps to make the conference more family-friendly and inclusive, providing childcare in collaboration with Andělín Child Care, so that participants with children could fully engage in the discussions and networking.
Keynotes: Perspectives that connect continents and disciplines
The first keynote, delivered by Julia Leventon, a UK-born environmental social scientist at CzechGlobe, highlighted her career journey across several countries and continents before establishing her group in Prague. In her talk titled „Perspectives from a Nomandic Sustainability Scientist“, she emphasised the importance of addressing global sustainability issues with local-led solutions. „Locality is very important in addressing sustainability issues since real innovations are created at the local level.“
The second keynote was delivered by Petra Hájková, a developmental epigeneticist at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences in London, who spoke about her research bridging fundamental science and international collaborations.
Both talks reinforced a central message: Science thrives when curiosity, interdisciplinary dialogue, and international experience are given space to grow.
Discussion Tables and Interactive Exchange
Czexpats in Science events are built on the exchange of ideas and creating connections. This year’s conference continued that tradition with discussion tables, where participants engaged in smaller groups on topics such as:
- Technology transfer and commercialisation: exploring how research can create real-world impact and why patents and technology matter.
- PhD Forum: offering support for doctoral candidates and guidance for prospective PhD students preparing for interviews.
- Scientific mobility: discussing grants, funding, and life as an expatriate researcher.
- Balancing family and science: sharing personal strategies for managing careers alongside life’s other priorities, such as bringing up a family.
- Science communication: exchanging strategies to reach diverse audiences.
- AI and humanities: exploring intersections between artificial intelligence and research in the social sciences and humanities.
Panel Discussion: How to Make Czech Science More Open to the World
One of the conference highlights was the panel discussion on this year’s central theme. Moderated by Pavla Hubálková, the panel included:
- Vladimír Beneš (EMBL, Genomics)
- Johana Kotišová (University of Amsterdam, Journalism Studies)
- Joseph Grim Feinberg (Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Social Theory)
- Eric Glowacki (CEITEC, Biomedical Engineering)
The audience could submit or upvote questions, shaping the conversation. The discussion focused on how Czech science can attract and retain more international researchers, support returning scientists to start their own groups, and promote Czech innovation abroad. The panelists emphasised both areas for improvement, such as better English-language accessibility, more funding opportunities, and inclusive policies, but also existing strengths of Czechia and Czech science, including creativity and innovative thinking, as well as the overall quality of life here.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the conference closed, Czexpats in Science reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties between Czech researchers at home and abroad, supporting international collaboration, and advocating for inclusive scientific environments. The coming year already promises a rich calendar of activities focused on community building and professional development. PI_Forum events will continue, offering principal investigators and group leaders opportunities to connect and share insights. Czexpats in Science is also continuing to organise the already traditional local meetups for Czech researchers abroad. In addition, the launch of the new Infoportal, a central hub of tips and resources for life and science abroad, is planned for early 2026. Moreover, the Série VEN! initiative will continue throughout the coming year, supporting students and early-career researchers as they explore opportunities abroad. And last but not least, the Czexpats Christmas Conference is already planned for 21 December 2026, promising another opportunity for the community to come together at the end of the year.
Video credit: Vojta Šára, Fresheyes.cz
Photos: Dita Havránková, Josef Havlín