Series about the People of FSS
Continuing Our Popular Section on the People of the FSS: Seven Questions for the New Vice-Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies, Tomáš Řiháček.
“My wish for the faculty is for it to maintain its current enthusiasm and aspiration to be an excellent place for teaching and performing research, as well as an institution that takes responsibility for the world around it. I hope the faculty will always remain a fundamentally “human” institution. I believe it is such a place now, and I hope it will stay that way.”
Tomáš Řiháček, Vice-Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies
What does your ideal morning look like?
I’m not sure if it’s due to my chronotype (I’m more of a “night owl”) or unpleasant memories of mandatory school attendance, but I’m simply not a fan of mornings. I don’t fully wake up until around eleven. So, I can’t really describe an “ideal” morning, but a “good enough” one for me is when I don’t have to start working before nine. However, when I do manage to get up early, I enjoy a quiet moment for myself (some might call it meditation). I cherish those moments when the world is still asleep, and I can simply be with my thoughts.
What book have you read lately?
I must admit that I don’t have much time for reading anymore. Nevertheless, from among academic books, I recently read Common Factors Therapy—a fascinating textbook on psychotherapy. It’s based on the idea that behind the multitude of therapeutic approaches, there are only a few core principles of effective treatment. As for non-academic reading, I love returning to Terry Pratchett’s works. Thanks to a colleague, I recently discovered there might even be one that I haven’t read yet!
What is your favorite place at the faculty?
As an introvert, I’d say my office—it’s a space where I can really focus on my work, discuss ideas with colleagues, consult with students, or simply gaze out the window at the walls of the Red Church. I also love the atmosphere of the auditorium. While it may not be ideal for everyday teaching, it has a certain genius loci. In addition, this September the auditorium served as a delightful venue for informal meetings with many international colleagues during a conference we hosted. It was used for catering and coffee breaks, and I think it worked beautifully.
What has surprised you the most in the last six months?
I think it was Donald Trump’s second victory in the presidential elections. Until the very end, I didn’t believe history could repeat itself so soon. I try to view it all with some detachment—as perhaps a necessary part of a broader transformation that our current social order must undergo. A world where half the people feel unheard cannot prosper in the long term.
What do you think is the most important thing for the FSS in the coming year?
Not just for the FSS, but for the entire university, the major issue will be the five-year evaluation under the M17+ methodology. Its results will determine, among other things, the funding of our university as a research institution in the coming years. From the perspective of my portfolio, this will be a critical matter.
Which point in the strategic plan are you most looking forward to implementing?
My portfolio includes research and doctoral studies. Although these may seem like two separate agendas—and in many practical aspects, they are—conceptually, they are closely linked. It’s our PhD students who play a key role in the scientific life of the faculty. I’m excited about improving the conditions for PhD students, as this will also support and strengthen our research.
