Women in IT - archive of articles

MASH podpořil výzkum Moniky Čechové zaměřený na skryté části lidské DNA

Grant MUNI Award in Science and Humanities (MASH) podpořil výzkum Moniky Čechové, odborné asistentky z Katedry strojového učení a zpracování dat FI. Monika Čechová zkoumá dosud obtížně přístupné části DNA s cílem porozumět jejich vlivu na zdraví a přiblížit se personalizované medicíně. Její výzkumná skupina se už nyní věnuje několika vědeckým projektům a postupně se rozrůstá. Aktuálně hledá post-doktorského kandidáta či kandidátku a od jarního semestru 2026 přijme Ph.D. studenty. Vítá i studující, kteří hledají téma závěrečných prací. Zároveň plánuje rozvoj spolupráce s dalšími odbornými partnery, zejména se Středoevropským technologickým institutem (CEITEC). Cílem je společný výzkum vzorků rakovinových pacientů, který propojí informatickou a biologicko-medicínskou perspektivu.

Celý článek si můžete přečíst na webu FI.

Inspirativní ženy ze světa na přednáškách/akcích FI

Na informatických kolokviích, přednáškách, workshopech apod. s námi sdílí své znalosti, zkušenosti a příběhy řada inspirativních žen působících v oblasti IT mimo FI, ať již na jiných fakultách MU, jiných českých nebo zahraničních univerzitích nebo v komerčních firmách. V roce 2025 na FI budou probíhat či již proběhly tyto akce:

13. 5. 2025 - Radka Svobodová, Ph.D. z CEITEC MUNI - přednáška v rámci Informatického kolokvia na téma "What challenges do biomolecules bring to IT?"

23. 4. 2025 - Ing. Dr.rer.nat. Angelika Lahnsteiner, MSc. B.rer.nat. ze Salcburské univerzity (Rakousko) - přednáška na téma „G-quadruplexes are sites of differential methylation and alternative promoter usage in metabolic disorders and cancer“.

Interview with Elham Kargar Tazargh, a graduate of Visual Informatics at the Faculty of Informatics

Elham Kargar Tazargh, originally from Iran, graduated from the Faculty of Informatics with a degree in Visual Informatics, specializing in computer game development. She particularly enjoys her studies at FI because of the friendly and understanding approach of the teachers. During her studies she completed an internship in the Brno branch of SAP.

Today she works as a UX designer in a software company and focuses on improving user experience in software applications. In her spare time, she organizes meetings for UX experts, enthusiasts and beginners and actively develops and connects the community of UX designers in Brno.

You can read the full interview with Elham about her studies at FI, job search, working at SAP, leading the UX community in Brno, etc. in M Magazine.

Returns that make sense: Monika Čechová back at the Faculty of Informatics

The second edition of the Czexpats in Science Award ceremony took place at MU. One of the trio of awardees is Monika Čechová, Assistant Professor at the FI Department of Machine Learning and Data Processing, who gave a talk at the Czexpats in Science Awards ceremony entitled "Genomics of the future: complex DNA parts and their inheritance across generations", in which she presented a revolution in DNA reading related to new technological possibilities such as nanopore sequencing.

The award is given by the Czexpats in Science initiative to emerging Czech scientists working abroad while maintaining contact with the domestic scientific community. It highlights the contribution of expertise and experience gained abroad to the development of domestic science.

Read the full article in M Magazine.

Monika Čechová, winner of the Czexpats in Science Prize, who is now working at FI

Read an inspiring interview with Monika Čechová, who has been working at FI since February 2025 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Machine Learning and Data Processing and who is also the winner of this year's Czexpats in Science Award. This award aims to support and publicly recognise the work and achievements of Czech scientists abroad.

Monika Čechová works as an assistant professor at FI on connecting biology with modern computational methods and expanding collaboration between scientists. In addition to research, she is also promoting the new study programme Bioinformatics. She also wants to get more involved in public outreach and speak at events such as Masaryk University's TEDx or the University of the Third Age. Prior to joining FI this year, she was a postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California.

Read the full interview with Monika Čechová in the article "The future of genomics is now unfolding, says Czexpats in Science award winner new to FI" on the FI website.

Getting the Balance Right: Gender and the Adacemic Workplace

A workshop with lecturer Lynn P. Nygaard will be held on March 19, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:40 a.m. in the MU building, 2 Komensky Square, room S117. The workshop is organised by the Faculty of Social Studies as part of the Centrepeace, Horizon Twinning project.

Abstract: Statistics on working life in academia often show striking differences between men and women in terms of publication output, promotion and well-being. In this workshop, Lynn P. Nygaard will explain how these apparent disparities arise and discuss what research environments can do to increase gender equality and job satisfaction in their organizations.

You can register for the workshop HERE .

Invitations to events related to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025

What conferences, workshops and other events are taking place this year as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science?

On February 11, 2025, the conference "Become a Woman Scientist for a Day" will be organized by the Faculty of Nuclear Engineering of CTU together with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of CTU, in collaboration with Second Foundation, BNL-CZ and CERN-CZ. The conference, with female experts from practice and academia, will offer participants the opportunity to experience science first-hand. They can choose from topics ranging from particle physics to robotics to precision machine calibration.

The Faculty of Science of Charles University is organising the Women in Science: Challenges and Opportunities on the Way event on 11 February 2025. The event starts at 5.30pm - an evening full of inspiring stories and stimulating discussions, with women researchers from different backgrounds sharing their experiences.

Palacký University in Olomouc is organising a "Debate with female scientists in the Fortress of Knowledge" on 10 February 2025 and a " Breakfast with Science in the Student Club" on 11 February 2025, which is especially intended for junior female scientists and PhD students. Mgr. Michaela Šaradín Lebídková, Ph.D. from the Faculty of Social Studies MU (FSS MU). Her main research interest is digital intimacy and digital wellbeing, which she explores through the lens of media effects. The topic of digital wellbeing is addressed in a joint project of FSS MU and FI MU.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 11 February 2025 with NKC - Gender and Science

What is happening this year as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science? It is on 11 February 2025 that NKC - Gender and Science will launch a month-long campaign to highlight the changes that should happen in the Czech academic environment to prevent a talent drain and suppression of the potential of women and other marginalised groups. Through the involvement of inspiring women scientists and science students, the campaign aims to highlight that change is not only desirable, but necessary.

This year's NCC campaign for International Day of Women and Girls will run for a month, leading up to Women's History Month and International Women's Day in March. Its international motto this year is Accelerate Action: that is why NKC wants to stress the need for change in the Czech academic environment. What prevents women scientists from developing successful scientific careers? What barriers do they have to face? What do they wish would change? For more information about the campaign, follow the website www.genderaveda.cz.

MU Gender Equality Plan 2025-2028

MU is implementing a variety of measures to promote gender equality as part of the University's strategic commitment to the principles of transparency, equality and accountability, while balancing the work and personal lives of all its staff and students. It fulfils this commitment at the level of its units and through the activities of the University as a whole. All this is done on the basis of the MU Gender Equality Plans as well as the sub-gender plans of individual MU faculties and institutes.

The measures set out in the MU Gender Equality Plan 2025-2028 are currently being implemented.

To promote gender equality at MU, the university website Gender Equality at MU was launched in January 2025.

On the page you can find out more about the gender plans, important people and institutions, and the GEP working group at MU. You will also find various educational events, publications and statistics.

The Joseph Fourier Prize was awarded to Lucia Hradecka

Lucia Hradecka, a PhD student at FI, won 2nd place in the prestigious Joseph Fourier Prize competition and also received the IT4Innovations award for her thesis "Automatic processing of biomedical image data using deep learning".

The Joseph Fourier Prize is awarded for outstanding research in applied mathematics and computer science in memory of the eminent French mathematician Joseph Fourier. The aim of this competition is to recognise outstanding scientific work in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computer systems and networks, database systems, human-computer interaction, numerical analysis, programming languages, software engineering, graphics, bioinformatics and computer theory.

With her project on biomedical data, Lucia has shown how deep learning can contribute to a better understanding and processing of complex image data, which is crucial for medical applications and diagnostics. The results of her research are being used, for example, to identify the causes of breast cancer. Another award, IT4Innovations, entitles Lucie to 250,000 computing hours on a supercomputer at the IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Centre in Ostrava.

Sofia's journey: From Serbia to FI MU, where she focuses on forensic readiness of software systems

Read an inspiring interview with Sofija, a talented student from Serbia who decided to study in the Czech Republic and has already achieved many successes at FI MU. Her journey from her first visit to the Czech Republic and Brno, during summer school, to being awarded the "Dean's Award for Outstanding Final Thesis" is full of determination, hard work and inspiration.

Sofije is pursuing her Master's degree in Software Engineering, supported by a JCMM scholarship, and is actively involved in the research project "Forensic Support for Building Trust in Smart Software Ecosystems". This project, on which she collaborates with Barbara Bühn and Lukas Daubner, focuses on the design of methodologies for forensic readiness of software systems and has produced significant results that are internationally appreciated.

Sofije is currently studying in Italy at the University of Salerno as part of the Erasmus program, where she is expanding her knowledge and experiencing a new culture. Her dedication and achievements are an inspiration to all those interested in computer science and research. Read the full interview and be inspired by her story.

Read the full interview with Sofia in the article on the FI website.

Professor Kathryn Hess Bellwald and the Women in Topology Research Network

On April 17, 2024, Professor Kathryn Hess Bellwald from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne gave a talk on "Topological Perspectives on Networks" at the MUNI Seminar Series.

Renowned for her research in algebraic topology, Professor Hess bridged the gap between complex mathematical theories and concrete applications. Through her involvement in the Blue Brain project, she is applying topological insights to complex brain networks, pushing our understanding in neuroscience. As founder of the after-school Euler course for children, she inspires young talents and nurtures a new generation of mathematicians in Switzerland. In addition, she actively supports her colleagues through initiatives such as the Women in Topology research network, demonstrating her commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming scientific community.

More information about the Women in Topology (WIT) research network can be found HERE.

You can read the full interview with Professor Hess, including an appreciation of her talk and visit to FI by Professor Daniel King, in the news section of the FI website.

Anna Řechtáčková received the Brno Ph.D. award. Talent

Anna Řechtáčková graduated from the Bachelor's degree programme in Applied Informatics and subsequently from the Master's degree programme in Theoretical Informatics at the Faculty of Informatics of MU. Since 2023 she has started her PhD studies with a focus on automated methods to support programming teaching under the supervision of Assoc. Mgr. Radek Pelánek, Ph.D.

Do Brno Ph.D. Talent she applied with a project on Developing Automatic Methods for Teaching Code Quality in Introductory Programming. He is looking for ways to automatically give feedback on the quality of beginners' code. "I'm investigating which problems are common and important, how to detect these problems, and how to guide students in the right direction to fix them. The EduLint tool I'm developing to do this is already being used in FI courses and the Computer Science Correspondence Seminar. We are also in the process of adding it to the We Can Computer Science learning environment that is used in primary and secondary schools," he explains.

Her research helps, for example, in the assessment of homework and many students get feedback that no one had the capacity to give them before. In her PhD, she is also fulfilling her wish to work on something that helps people and saves them time.

Prof. Ivana Černá was awarded the MUNI medal

On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the foundation of Masaryk University, MUNI medals were presented to Masaryk University personalities and prominent representatives of science, culture, higher education and public life on 31 January 2024 in the Karel Engliš Great Auditorium at the Faculty of Law of MUNI. The silver medal was awarded to Prof. Ivana Černá.

Prof. Ivana Černá, Head of the Department of Programming Theory at FI, has been working at FI since its foundation in 1994. During this time, she has achieved a number of scientific successes and has also contributed significantly to the development of MU from her position as Vice-Rector for Information Technology (2006-2011) and then for Studies (2011-2015). She holds and has held a number of important roles at the University and the Faculty, including membership of academic senates, scientific councils, the MU Internal Evaluation Council and the MU Ethics Committee. She also plays a key role in teaching. She is a successful investigator and co-investigator of a number of research projects, such as the Centre of Excellence for Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and Critical Information Infrastructure Protection and the Modular Distributed Robotics Platform. She has authored or co-authored more than a hundred publications in the areas of communication theory and parallel systems and formal verification.

FI Computer Science Colloquium with inspiring women in IT

The goal of the colloquia organized by FI is to introduce current research in various areas of computer science to a broad audience within the faculty. More information about the colloquia can be found HERE.

23.4.2024 - Assoc. Prof. Laura Sanita' from Università Bocconi in Milan.

12.12.2023 - Prof. Monica Dragoicea from Polytechnic University of Bucharest, topic "Smart services, explainable AI, and smart visualisations".

9.5.2023 - Mgr. Kamila Urban, PhD. from Charles University, topic "Metacognition within self-regulated learning".

14.3.2023 - doc. Jana Tůmová from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

20.9.2022 - dr. Maria Luján Ganuza from Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina, topic.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 11.2.2024

The theme of this year's International Day of Women and Girls in Science is "Women in Science Leadership: a New Era for Sustainability".

On 8-9 February 2024, the 9th Assembly for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The concept and agenda for this year's Assembly, as well as outcomes from previous years, can be found at https://www.womeninscienceday.org/.

The 9th Assembly brought together experts from around the world, senior government officials, representatives of international scientific organizations, scientists and women scientists from around the world to discuss women's leadership in achieving the three pillars of sustainable development: economic prosperity, social justice and environmental protection.

FI webinar on the growing role of diversity in IT

In an increasingly technology-driven world, digital innovation and creativity can hardly be fully harnessed if only a small proportion of the population generates it. In this context, the question often arises - why do girls choose particular interests, study programmes and careers as an alternative to computer science or information technology? What are the motivators and benefits of these alternatives that IT lacks? Our webinar focuses on the growing role of diversity in IT, including some findings from recent studies on the topic. We'll discuss effective strategies for making IT more inclusive and open to diverse talent. And we'll share lessons learned from engaging more girls in IT, including insights and strategies specifically related to academia.

A recording of the webinar with Assoc. Ing. RNDr. Barbara Bühn, Ph.D., Vice Dean of FI, can be viewed HERE.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 11 February 2023

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was declared by the UN General Assembly at the end of 2015. It is intended to commemorate the crucial role of women and girls in science and to promote their involvement in research activities.

It is said that there are as many women in IT as there are men. This is not the case at FI, e.g. 29% of PhD students are women. In the first year of the PhD programme, Mgr. Lucia Hradecká, winner of the "Brno Ph.D. Talent 2022" (a scholarship program of the City of Brno for the 25 best talents among PhD students who convince the expert committee of the excellence of their results and the quality of their proposed scientific project).

Handbook Maternity, paternity and parental leave in a nutshell

In December 2022, an updated MU handbook Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave in a Nutshell was published.

The handbook aims to provide MU parents with comprehensive information in one place, guiding them from pregnancy, through maternity leave, then parental leave, as well as paternity leave, to returning back to work.

You can download the handbook HERE.

In this context, we would like to add that MU cooperates with the Elánek mini-nursery (in the MU building on Komenský nám. and on the Bohunice campus), where MU employees can place their children. More information can be found on the ELÁNK website.

Courses Gender Equality in the Institution and Gender Equality Plans I and II

Want to learn more about gender equality? The National Contact Centre - Gender and Science of the Institute of Sociology of the CAS offers courses on gender equality, which are designed as e-learning, publicly available training for interested women and men from universities and research organisations in the Czech Republic.

You can register for the course HERE.

Monitoring Report on the Status of Women in Science

In December 2022, the National Contact Centre - Gender and Science of the Institute of Sociology of the CAS published the Monitoring Report on the Representation of Women in Science and Research for 2020. In it, it maps the position of women in science and innovation in the Czech Republic. The report has been published annually since 2005.

You can download the Monitoring Report HERE.

Inspiring women in FI

We want to motivate and inspire women who are considering a career in IT. We are therefore preparing medallions on "what I enjoy and find fulfilling about science at FI" and "what I enjoy about working in IT at FI" with inspiring women in our faculty, in all four departments, CERIT and the Centre for Computing. We will be adding to these medallions on an ongoing basis.

Many thanks to all the female colleagues and PhD students involved for their cooperation.

MU Gender Equality Plan

MU implements a variety of measures to promote gender equality as part of the University's strategic commitment to the principles of transparency, equality and accountability, while at the same time balancing the work and personal lives of all its employees and students. It fulfils this commitment at the level of its units and through the activities of the University as a whole. All this is done on the basis of the MU Gender Equality Plan for the period 2022-2024.

CAREER RESTART Grant Scheme

Since 2020, the MU Grant Agency has been implementing the CAREER RESTART grant scheme, which aims to create conditions for the integration of female and male researchers into research teams at MU after a career break, for example due to parental leave. The CAREER RESTART grants will facilitate and accelerate the return of young talented scientists to productive scientific careers and thus increase the percentage of their representation in independent/senior research positions. Detailed information can be found HERE.