News

Historian František Šmahel Passes Away at the Age of 90

On Sunday, 5 January 2025, Professor František Šmahel, a prominent Czech historian, medievalist, and member of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, passed away at the age of 90. He significantly influenced historical research both in the Czech Republic and abroad, profoundly enriching Czech and global historiography. While his scholarly works were primarily focused on the late medieval history of the Czech lands, they also extended to broader European contexts and occasionally addressed contemporary historical themes.

The Learned Society of the Czech Republic Establishes Collaboration with the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

On Saturday, November 16, Martin Loebl, President of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, met in Prague with Hans-Georg Kräusslich, President of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences, to discuss potential forms of collaboration.

The Learned Society Launches This Year’s „Jiřina Michlová Award for Doctoral Students“

The Learned Society of the Czech Republic is pleased to launch the second annual Jiřina Michlová Award for doctoral students, recognizing outstanding original scientific work. Eligible submissions include scientific articles, student theses, or studies created specifically for the award.

Eligible submissions include scientific articles, student theses, or studies created specifically for the award.

The financial prize accompanying the award is funded by a donation from the eminent chemist Prof. Josef Michl, a foreign member of the Learned Society, who passed away in May 2024. The award is named after his daughter, who tragically succumbed to cancer at the age of 27.

"Freedom means responsibility." The Learned Society commemorates The Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy at Národní třída

Representatives of the Learned Society today laid a wreath at the commemorative plaque on Národní třída in Prague, which marks the events of 17 November 1989. The wreath bore the timeless quote from Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk: "Freedom means responsibility."

Ivo Starý Awarded the Praemium Academiae

The First Vice-President of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, Ivo Starý from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), has been awarded this year's Praemium Academiae — a prestigious grant from the Czech Academy of Sciences providing up to CZK 30 million over the next six years.  

Recording of the Palacký lecture by Stein Ringen

What role did religion play in the modernisation of Europe? Is its influence still present or has secular modernity made religion obsolete? Watch the recording of a lecture by Oxford historian Stein Ringen: The Role of Religion in European Modernisation.

Jiří Přibáň will become the new judge of the Constitutional Court

Lawyer and sociologist Jiří Přibáň, a foreign fellow of the Learned Society, will become the new judge of the Constitutional Court. On Wednesday 19 June, the Senate approved his nomination by President Petr Pavel (along with Tomáš Langášek).

Speech by Libor Grubhoffer at the XXXth General Assembly of the Learned Society

"In addition to the highly technical topics of contemporary science and education, it is a vital role of the Learned Society to protect democracy and freedom in our country, to speak out in their defence at any hint of their restriction," said Libor Grubhoffer, who has served as President of the Learned Society for the last two years.

Martin Loebl takes over the leadership of the Learned Society

The new President of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic is Martin Loebl, a mathematician. He will succeed Libor Grubhoffer, Director of the Biological Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, whose two-year mandate ends at the XXXth General Assembly of the Learned Society (20-21 May 2024).

Prof. Josef Michl passes away at the age of 85

On Monday, 13 May 2024, Prof. Josef Michl, a world-renowned chemist and a foreign fellow of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, died unexpectedly.

Julius Lukeš elected a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences

Prof. Julius Lukeš from the Institute of Parasitology of the Biological Centre of the CAS, a member of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, was elected on 30 April 2024 (as the third Czech citizen) as an international member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NSA).

Palacký Lecture: Stein Ringen – The Role of Religion in European Modernisation: The Case of Scandinavia

The Learned Society of the Czech Republic cordially invites you to attend Palacký lecture by Stein Ringen, historian and political scientist from Oxford. On Thursday 25 April 2024 in the refectory of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University on Malostranské náměstí in Prague. The lecture will be held in English.

Prof. Jiří Bičák, former President of the Learned Society, died at the age of 82

On Friday, January 26, 2024, Prof. RNDr. Jiří Bičák, DrSc., Dr.h.c., theoretical physicist, expert in the field of theory of relativity and cosmology, founding member of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic and between 2014-2016 also its President, died at the age of 82.

Jan Závada, founding member of the Learned Society, died at the age of 90

It is with great sadness that we have just received the news that Jan Závada, PhD, molecular oncologist, expert in virus genetics, and founding member of the Learned Society, died on Friday, January 5, at the age of 90.

Statement of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic on the tragedy at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University on 21 December 2024

The Learned Society of the Czech Republic expresses its deep regret for the tragic event that took place on the grounds of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, during which the lives of fourteen members of the academic community were lost...

Secondary school principals can nominate their students for the Learned Society Awards

The Learned Society of the Czech Republic announces a call for prizes for high school students for exceptional scientific activities in the natural sciences or humanities. Proposals can be submitted by members of the Learned Society, secondary school principals and the Association for the Support of Talented Youth of the Czech Republic.

Climate Change Communication Prize for AMO Climate Team

On 15 November 2023, the 18-member expert Climate Team of the Association for International Affairs (AMO) became the fifth recipient of the 2023 Climate Change Communication Prize. The organizers also awarded two honorary prizes in the same category for outstanding achievement.

Letter from Israeli rectors and statements from the world academic community in support of Israel

The Learned Society has received a letter from Israeli rectors calling on European and American academia to oppose the relativisation of Hamas terrorist acts...

Medal of Merit for three members of the Learned Society

President of the Republic Petr Pavel awarded the Medal of Merit of the 1st degree to three members of the Learned Society: Helena Tlaskalová - Hogenová, Jiří Grygar and Josef Jařab (in memorial).

Jan Konvalinka was awarded the Prize of the Chairwoman of the Research, Development and Innovation Council

Prof. Jan Konvalinka, director of the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS and member of the Learned Society, has been awarded the Prize of the Chairwoman of the R&D&I Council Helena Langšádlová for the promotion and popularisation of research.