The Faculty of Arts of Jan Evangelista Purkyně University is the only humanities-oriented institution conducting research activities in the Northwest Bohemia region. Research activities are primarily focused on areas related to the specifics and needs of the region, thus fulfilling the social relevance. The emphasis is on the national and international context of the discourse; mainly the main research issues that accomplish social relevance of the research, which has an indisputable social benefit.

  • Historical Research emphasizes the issue of border areas, cultural transfers, Czech-German (Czech-Saxon) relations. The research enhances cultural and historical identity of the region that is so important for its further positive development.
  • Research in the Field of Cultural Heritage is focused on documentation of monuments, monument care, restoration and preservation of the cultural values, including the cultural landscape. The research contributes to preservation of cultural values and tourism in the region.
  • Philological Research is focused on German language and literature, with an emphasis on intercultural German Studies. It enhances the development of cross-border contacts and activities and bolsters language competencies, thus offering employment opportunities and entrepreneurship.
  • Political Research responds to the issues of electoral systems, electoral behaviour (including gender issues), regional and local government policies, manifestations of extremism and racism (with an emphasis on the Czech-Saxon region). This research contributes to the identification of relevant phenomena of the regions, identifies their issues and comes up with their solutions.
  • Research in other humanities (Philosophy, Ethics) is focused on the issue of the development of civil society and is related to teaching social science subjects at primary schools and high schools (specialised didactics) including teaching activities focused on public space. This research enhances the development of civil society.

pdf Self-evaluation report on creative activities of the Faculty of Arts of Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem 2014-2018

Applied research projects

Regarding the specifics of applied research in the humanities and social sciences, the faculty implements projects primarily in the programme of applied research of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, National and Cultural Identity.
Social, cultural and ideological transfers in the history of the border region of Northwest and North Bohemia and their role in its development and sustainability
Utilization of results: in the area of public administration, local governments, interest groups and other institutions, implementing activities focused on social and cultural life.
Stories of places. Topography of the nation’s contemporary memory
Utilization of results: in memory institutions and schools during the implementation of activities related to the historical memory.
The Art exchange in the Ore Mountains region between Gothic and Renaissance
Utilization of results: support for the nomination of the mining region the Ore Mountains / Erzgebirge on the UNESCO World Heritage List with an impact on the development of the whole region. The entry took place on the 6th July 2019.
Documentation, digitization and presentation of endangered cultural heritage in the border area of Northwest Bohemia.
Utilization of results: preparation of conditions for preservation or revitalization of endangered monuments.
Documentation of historical buildings used for hops processing
Utilization of results: support for the nomination of the hop-growing cultural landscape in the Žatec region on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ministry of Culture Czech Republic
DF11P01OVV014 – The Social, Cultural and Ideological Transfers in the History of Border Region of North-western and North Bohemia and Their Role in its Development and Sustainability
DG18P02OVV066 – Hortus Montium Mediorum – Documentation, Research and Presentation of the Cultural Heritage of Selected Localities of the Eastern Central Bohemian Highlands
DF11P01OVV034 – The Sites Stories. Topography of the Contemporary National Memory.
Researcher: The Institute of Contemporary History of Czech Academy of Sciences
DF12P01OVV046 – The Art Exchange in the Ore Mountains Region between Gothic and Renaissance; Researcher: Charles University and National Gallery in Prague
DF12P01OVV009 – The Documentation, Digitization and Presentation of the Endangered Cultural Heritage in the Border Region of North-western Bohemia; Researcher: National Heritage Institute
DG16P02B021 – The Documentation of Historical Buildings Used for Hops Processing; Researcher: National Heritage Institute
Free State of Saxony, Sachsische Aufbau Bank Objective 3
Our World Heritage – the mining cultural landscape
The Saxon-Czech Relationship through the Changes of Time – an auxiliary teaching publication
Norwegian funds
Documentation of a Church in Konojedy (Association for Monuments Restoration in the Úštěk Region)
Horizon 2020
Children Born of War: the Past, Present and Future

pdf Projects supported by a provider

Contract research 

Revenues from the contract research are mainly produced by the Centre of Documentation and Digitization of Cultural Heritage. Within the OP VaVpl Modern Educational and Scientific Research project of the Faculty of Arts of Jan Evangelista Purkyně University (2011-2014), the Centre was equipped with high-quality documentation technology. Research ordering party include the Heritage Institute, Institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, higher education institutions, public institutions and private individuals.

pdf Contract research

Revenues from non-public sources from research work

(besides grants or contract research)
The Institute of Slavic-Germanic Studies (USGS) has been subsidised since 1992. The USGS also cooperates with the Bohemicum-Ackermann-Gemeinde Institute in Munich. Together they organize the Colloquia Ustensia events where they present the research activities of the Institute and other faculty departments in the form of lectures.

pdf Revenues from non-public sources from research work

Applied research results with an existing or prospective economic impact on society

pecific results with a potential economic impact are the methodologies certified by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic which are focused on effective modern documentation of various types of historical monument objects. Quality documentation of monuments serves as a base for subsequent stages of the project documentation and design work which contributes to the quality projects and saves resources during the restoring of monuments. The actual restoration of the monuments leads to the development of tourism.

Other – MetC (methodology certified by the competent authority)

2015 - Methodology of Townhouses Documentation
2015 - Methodology of Folk Architecture Documentation
2015 - Methodology of Digitization, 3D Documentation and 3D Visualization of Various Types of Monuments

Significant applied research results with an impact other than an economic one on society

Most of the faculty’s applied results have other than the economic result on society yet they are significant in terms of social relevance.
The methodology of standardized procedure for an exhibition presentation for the first time comprehensibly elaborated a procedure for preparation of exhibition presentations and accompanying school programmes focused on publicly shared culture of remembrance of the communist regime in the Czech Republic.
An exhibition Without Borders. The Art exchange in the Ore Mountains region between Gothic and Renaissance with an extensive critical catalogue presented a long-term research into the historical and artistic development of the Ore Mountains region. It took place in the the National Gallery in Prague. The exhibition catalogue was evaluated as an excellent result and the whole project was evaluated as excellent with an international impact.
A specialized map The Endangered Cultural Heritage in the Border Are of North-West Bohemia maps the technical and constructional condition of individual buildings in this area. The map is an open application for further data updates. The specialized map The Spatial-temporal change of the landscape below Milešovka mountain and its cultural heritage maps the unique Baroque landscape, its development and condition of preserved monuments.

pdf Significant applied research results

The evaluated unit’s most significant interactions with the non-academic application/corporate sphere

The typical users of the results are mainly elementary and high schools, public administration and local authorities, specialized memory institutions, interest groups and private individuals.

  • The Czech-Saxon textbooks for the regional schools (Regional Authority of the Ústí Region)
  • The programmes for German teachers (Regional Authority of the Ústí Region)
  • Travelling exhibitions with a school programme for grammar schools (Regional Authority of the Ústí Region)
  • An exploration of the Jimlín Castle (Regional Authority of the Ústí Region)
  • An exploration of Renaissance houses (The city of Litoměřice)
  • A preparation of the Historical Atlas of the City (The city of Ústí nad Labem)
  • A preparation of the exhibition Our Germans (Collegium Bohemicum o.p.s.)
  • Documentation of a church in Konojedy (Association for Monuments Restoration in the Úštěk region)
  • A research of the regional electoral geography (Regional Authority of the Liberec Region)
  • A research of the political participation (Regional Authority of the Ústí Region)

System and support of technology transfer and intellectual property protection

The Faculty of Arts uses the Centre for Documentation, Digitization and Cultural Heritage for a transfer of technologies (an application carries out via surveys and methodologies), the Centre for Teaching of German Language for Education in German Language and Culture (application in the form of courses, educational and cultural activities), the Civic Education Centre for the Civic Education Sector and Education for Civil Society (application in the form of courses, surveys and analyses).

The most significant individual awards for R&D&I

Without Borders. The Art of the Ore Mountains between Gothic and Renaissance (2016) – catalogue evaluated as an excellent outcome
Professor Dr. Georg Schuppener – Top scientist 2017 and 2018, granted by the Faculty of Arts of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Trnava
Professor PhDr. Radek Fukala, Ph.D. – 2017 – the major Miroslav Ivanov Prize for an important work of non-fiction literature

Recognition by the international R&D&I community

The Faculty of Arts is represented in the editorial boards of relevant journals with an international impact, especially in history, political science and German studies, and it also develops its own publishing activity. The participation in international conferences is commonplace. Guest lectures by foreign experts are supported here, some contacts are maintained long-term, e.g. professor Searle received the title of doctor honoris causa. Representation in companies’ subsidiaries corresponds with the focus of the departments.

pdf Participation of the evaluated unit’s academic staff on the editorial boards of international scientific journals in the 2014–2018 reporting period

pdf The most significant invited lectures by the evaluated unit’s academic staff at institutions in other countries during the 2014–2018 reporting period

pdf The most significant lectures by foreign scientists and other guests relevant to the R&D&I field at the evaluated unit during the 2014–2018 reporting period

pdf The most significant elected membership in foreign of professional societies relevant to the R&D&I field at the evaluated unit during the 2014–2018 reporting period

The most significant activities in the popularisation of R&D&I and communication with the public

Targeted presentations in the public space in the form of exhibitions (with school programmes), lectures and discussions or reports.

  • Exhibitions and accompanying programmes for the anniversary of Czechoslovakia 1918
  • Public lectures in the field of Philosophy, Political Science, Ethics (Hraničář, public cultural venue)
  • Authors public reading organised by the Department of German Studies (Hraničář, public cultural venue)
  • Public debates on current issues (Czech Television) – 1, 2, 3.
  • Specialised lectures as part of the KULT Theatre Festival2.
  • Popularization in the Form of Reports (Regional TV Ústí nad Labem)
  • Implementation of the film project about human rights One World in Schools (People in Need o.p.s.)
  • Translations of theatre plays from German “Cross the Borders” (Drama studio Ústí nad Labem)
  • The University of the 3rd Age, Teen Age University
  • Presentation within the events of Week of Science and Technology (University Library), Week of Science (Academy of Science, Czech Republic), Week of Science and Art (Jan Evangelista Purkyně University)
  • Presentation within the student praxis of Cultural Heritage Documentation and Digitization Centre – 1, 2, 3, 4.