News

CERGE-EI Joined the Week of the Czech Academy of Sciences

6 November, 2026

On November 5, 2026, CERGE-EI participated in the Week of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the largest science festival in the Czech Republic, with an afternoon of three public lectures exploring important questions in economics and academia.

The event brought research closer to the public through accessible presentations on science funding, gender representation in academia, and mental health among researchers.

The program opened with Martin Srholec, who presented Does Funding Science and Innovation Actually Work? His lecture explored the effectiveness of public investment in research and innovation, examining why governments support scientific activities, how funding should be allocated, and how its impact can be evaluated.

The second lecture, Women in Economics, was delivered by Štěpán Jurajda. Drawing on research in labor economics, he examined the factors influencing women's participation in scientific careers, with particular attention to institutional barriers, social norms, and policies aimed at improving gender representation in academia.

The afternoon concluded with Clara Sievert and her lecture A Mental Health Crisis in Academia? Insights from European Economics Departments. Based on original survey data from 556 PhD students and 165 faculty members across 14 European economics departments, her presentation explored mental health challenges in academic environments, their underlying causes, and potential ways to improve the well-being of students and researchers.

The lectures were also accessible online, allowing interested participants to follow the program remotely.

Through its participation in the Week of the Czech Academy of Sciences, CERGE-EI continued its commitment to making economic research accessible to a broader audience and highlighting how scientific evidence can contribute to understanding important societal challenges.

We thank our speakers and everyone who joined us for this year's event!