Women's representation in science is increasing every year, yet they still face challenges. We present six women scientists from the Faculty of Education at Masaryk University whose work and determination inspire the next generation and show that science is for everyone. Each of these exceptional personalities contributes their work to the development of their field and to overcoming boundaries not only in the academic sphere.
Elisabeth Hladik's research focuses on analysing and supporting the inclusion of children with different learning needs in cultural institutions, especially museums and libraries. Her research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of inclusive approaches in these settings and their impact. Hladik develops pedagogical tools and methodologies that facilitate institutions to integrate these children into the educational and cultural process. Her work advocates for equal access to education and cultural heritage, contributing to the broader debate on inclusion in a European and global context. For more information, see the article: Fulbright Scholar Elisabeth Hladik: Advancing Inclusion and International Collaboration
Oksana Stupak is an expert in the field of inclusion of Ukrainian pupils in the Czech education system. She is the first researcher from the faculties of education in the Czech Republic to receive the prestigious JUNIOR STAR grant, focused on research and innovation in educational systems. Her research focuses on identifying the challenges that accompany the integration of pupils, especially in the area of language and cultural adaptation. Stupak has also contributed to the development of specific tools that facilitate the transition of Ukrainian children to Czech schools and support their inclusion in the educational process. Her work contributes significantly to the development of educational approaches that respect diversity and facilitate access to equal education for all children. For more information, see the article: Research on inclusion of Ukrainian pupils: Oksana Stupak wins prestigious JUNIOR STAR grant
Markéta Košatková, guarantor of the EDI study programme, has long been dedicated to transforming the educational environment at Masaryk University with the aim of supporting not only academic excellence but also the personal and social development of students. In her teaching activities, she emphasizes the international aspect of education, teaching in multicultural teams, a culturally sensitive approach and support for volunteer activities outside the classroom. Structural inequalities in education are also part of her approach, which she addresses through practical experience with communities of socially disadvantaged families. In this way, Kosatková contributes to creating inclusive and equitable learning environments that take into account social and cultural diversity. More about the EDI programme: EDI Study Program: Modernizing Education with Diversity and Inclusion.
Tereza Brzá, a PhD student at our faculty, has developed an innovative platform Toolia, which uses artificial intelligence to effectively create learning materials for English language teaching. This platform allows teachers to create personalised materials in seconds, greatly simplifying and speeding up preparation for lessons. Tereza Brzá also achieved significant success in the Start Your Business competition, where her project came second. For more information on the project, please see the article from MUNI CTT: Toolia: AI-powered platform to make it easier for teachers to teach English
Oxana Truhlářová specializes in comparative linguistics, with a focus on the analysis of morphology and syntax of Russian and Czech. In her research work, she focuses on identifying similarities and differences between these languages in historical and contemporary contexts. In 2018, she led a project that resulted in a mobile app for teaching Russian, specifically for practicing Cyrillic. Together with Anastasia Sokolova, she also published Russian grammar exercise books for beginners (A1 and A2 level). Her work not only contributes to the improvement of language education, but also to the popularization of science, including in the field of language didactics. Truhlářová is also the recipient of a Career Restart grant, which supports the return of women scientists to scientific activity after a career break, which is crucial for equal opportunities in the scientific sphere. Find out more in our interview with her: Return to science: How the Career Restart grant helps women scientists to continue their careers.
Daniela Taylor was awarded the MŠMT Medal in 2024 for her significant contribution to music education. She specializes in music education didactics, and her teaching activities cover both preschool and primary education levels. She is the author of the successful series of textbooks "Playful Music Education" and regularly organizes professional workshops to develop didactic competences of future teachers. Her research interest focuses on innovations in music pedagogy, especially in the field of methods and didactic tools that support effective music teaching in schools.
In 2024, the Faculty of Education of Masaryk University was in the middle of the second implementation period of the Revised HR Award Action Plan. This year, the focus was on improving internal communication, education, the working environment and the adaptation of new employees.
What are the barriers to gender equality in academia? How to identify them and work effectively with them? If these topics interest you, join the online course "Female Empowerment in Academia", which offers valuable insights and practical tools to address these challenges.
