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CERGE-EI Festival 2025: A Day of Ideas, Encounters, and Shared Curiosity

5 December, 2025

On December 4, 2025, CERGE-EI opened its doors to everyone curious about what the study and practice of economics mean today.

The CERGE-EI Festival: Discover Careers in Economic Research brought together prospective students from 5 countries and 11 universities, as well as alumni from 11 countries and 17 cohorts. The event, dedicated to economic thinking, research, and career inspiration, was full of exchanges of insights, thoughtful questions, and shared experiences — all carried in an open and lively atmosphere.

Far from being a purely theoretical discipline, economics revealed itself throughout the day as a powerful way of thinking — and of making an impact, as CERGE-EI alumna Anita Taci, Deputy Director for Impact at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, emphasized.

“As someone with a background in mathematics, I soon realized when I started to study economics that it gives you a great understanding of how societies work. And if you want to change them and have an impact, you need to know the rules. You need to know how people behave, what their incentives are, how they make decisions, and how they allocate their resources. CERGE-EI gave me the foundation and tools not only to understand, but also to change things and have an impact.”

The spirit of seeing economics as a tool for understanding human behavior, shaping policy, and addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges was reflected not only in the program itself, but also in the engaged discussions during coffee breaks, workshops, and informal conversations throughout the building.

The panel From Curiosity to Academia offered a closer look into the intellectual journeys of Štěpán Jurajda (Professor, CERGE-EI), Filip Matějka (Professor, CERGE-EI), Michal Bauer (Professor, CERGE-EI), Jan Zápal (Associate Professor, CERGE-EI), who shared how their early research questions evolved into long-term academic projects, turning abstract curiosity into tangible contributions to society.

Career Stories and Real-World Perspectives

During the Career Stories Roundtables, participants engaged directly with alumni in small-group discussions focused on three career paths commonly pursued by CERGE-EI graduates: academic research, policy and expertise, and the private sector.

Whether listening to Marta Cota describe her academic life in Portugal, hearing IMF consultant Tomáš Konečný reflect on policymaking, exploring careers in the age of AI with Olga Loiseau-Aslanidi, from Moody’s, or learning how data scientist Ilir Maçi applies economics in the tech world, visitors gained a truly 360° view of where economic thinking can lead.

These sessions were marked by openness and sincerity, with alumni sharing not only successes but also doubts, turning points, and hard-earned lessons — a tone that resonated strongly with participants.

After a networking lunch filled with animated conversation, the afternoon program How We Do It offered a hands-on introduction to the economist’s craft. Dali Laxton guided participants through the creative process of formulating research questions, Yaroslav Korobka demonstrated how data shapes economic answers, and Deborah Nováková focused on presenting ideas concisely and persuasively — a skill essential across both academia and professional life.

Later, the session PhD in Economic Research & Master in Economic Research introduced CERGE-EI’s two flagship programs, highlighting the institute’s distinctive combination of academic rigor, close mentorship, and international perspective.

An informal Faculty & Student Experience Coffee followed, giving prospective students space to ask practical questions about studying, living, and thriving at CERGE-EI. Conversations naturally moved between research interests, life in Prague, international mobility, and the application process — all in a welcoming and relaxed setting.

A Community That Matters: Alumni Afternoon

While the Festival welcomed all those curious about economics, it also offered a dedicated alumni track titled A Community That Matters. Alumni gathered for Economics of Flourishing, a series of TEDx-style talks where speakers Olga Loiseau-Aslanidi, Liyousew Gebremedhin Borga, and Vladimír Novák reflected on how their work connects research, data, and policy to broader questions of societal well-being.

This was followed by a Professional Perspectives panel discussion, where alumni with diverse career paths shared insights, challenges, and lessons learned since graduation. A discussion on the future of CERGE-EI and the role of the alumni network concluded the formal alumni program, before participants gathered for an alumni dinner.

An Evening of Networking and Community

As day turned into evening, the Festival naturally shifted into a more informal mode at the CERGE-EI Beer Party & Networking. New acquaintances, long-time colleagues, students, and alumni came together in a setting defined by relaxed conversation, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging that extended well beyond institutional boundaries.

Find the photo gallery here.