Forum Science is Alive! is a civic association (Reg. No. 22831827) which was established as an initiative of largely early-stage researchers in reaction to a critical situation related to the science and research funding in the Czech Republic. The situation became acute during 2009 in consequence of a planned increase over the next few years, of funding for development and innovations in the private sector to the detriment of public budgets for science and research. This crisis is a direct threat to the existence of basic and applied research in the best-performing scientific institutions in the Czech Republic.

However, research funding is not the only issue. We are interested in the role science, education and culture have to play in the wider social context and the model public administration in these areas should take. Political and economic pressures are threatening the independent and unique role of public space, and can fatally affect learning and culture of Czech society in the years to come.

The goal of Forum Science Is Alive! is to inform the public about the critical situation especially in science and research; to stimulate an open debate; and to initiate systemic changes. The forum’s work includes educational, promotional and media activities aimed at the general public. We want to initiate and engage in a direct dialogue with prominent individuals from the academic, public and political spheres; to contribute to the promotion of science through flyer campaigns, specialised and popular newspaper articles, blogs and discussions, by organising public meetings and thematic happenings. Together with other initiatives (For Cultured Bohemia, For Education, For Responsible Reform etc.) we are engaged in deliberations on the wider concept of public space for science, education and culture in Czech society.

The activities and declarations of civic association Forum Science Is Alive! reflect the opinions of its members only. Membership and activities in Forum Science Is Alive! are voluntary.

Representatives of Forum Science is Alive!

PhDr. Martin Krummholz - krummholz@vedazije.cz
Representative of social sciences and humanities. Martin works at the Institute of Art History of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. He is finishing his doctoral studies at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague, and lectures at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice.

Mgr. Zuzana Macek Jílková - jilkova@vedazije.cz
Representative of life sciences. Zuzana is completing her doctoral studies at the 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague, and works at the Institute of Physiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

Mgr. Marek Piliarik, Ph.D. - piliarik@vedazije.cz
Representative of non-life sciences. In 2008 Marek completed his doctoral studies at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University in Prague and is a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.