The Peace Research Center Prague (PRCP), a research center at the Institute of International Studies at FSV UK, will commence the implementation of the project titled “Foreign Interference by External Powers in the Context of Contemporary Geopolitical and Technological Changes” (INTERFER) on January 1, 2025, under the leadership of Associate Professor Michal Smetana. This project received the highest national evaluation score – 147 out of 150 points – in the call for proposals under the theme “Social and Humanities Sciences: Humanity in the Face of Global Challenges Today.” The project will be funded through the Jan Amos Comenius Operational Programme (OP JAK) until the end of 2028.
“The exceptional evaluation of the INTERFER project reaffirms the top-tier quality of our researchers, who have worked in close collaboration with our project and financial management teams. It also highlights the importance of relying on our dedicated in-house staff for such complex proposals rather than external support. We owe this success to our outstanding employees and, of course, to our partners—Masaryk University, the University of Ostrava, and the Institute of International Relations,” stated David Emler, Vice Dean for Development at FSV UK.
A Unique Platform for Excellence in Research
The consortium, with a total budget of CZK 140 million, establishes a groundbreaking platform to explore the issue of foreign interference within the context of current geopolitical and technological transformations. The primary objectives include the execution of four innovative research initiatives focusing on the effects of foreign interference practices on public opinion, the domestic and foreign policy adaptations of states to this threat, and the technological evolution of tools used by external powers to exert influence.
The research leaders are Associate Professor Jakub Eberle (FSV UK Institute of International Studies), Associate Professor Monika Brusenbach-Meiselová (Masaryk University Faculty of Social Studies), Professor Tomáš Weiss (FSV UK Institute of International Studies), and Dr. Linda Monsees (Institute of International Relations). Additionally, Marek Vranka from FSV UK Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism will collaborate on the first research initiative.
Peace Research Center Prague: A Key Consortium Member
The Peace Research Center Prague (PRCP), an interdisciplinary Center of Excellence at Charles University, focuses on advancing knowledge in peace and conflict studies, with expertise in political science, international relations, and security studies. As a key member of the consortium, PRCP contributes its interdisciplinary approach and international research network to explore foreign interference in the context of geopolitical and technological changes, ensuring the INTERFER project’s scientific rigor and global relevance.
“The INTERFER project represents an incredible opportunity for the PRCP to collaborate with the leading researchers at some of the best Czech research institutions and jointly advance our understanding of foreign interference in today’s era of abrupt geopolitical and technological changes. I strongly believe that the results of our work will not only lead to excellent scholarship but also provide policymakers with practical advice on how to address one of the key foreign policy challenges of our time,” added Michal Smetana, the Principal Investigator of INTERFER project and the Director of the Peace Research Center Prague.
About the Jan Amos Comenius Operational Programme
The OP JAK supports lifelong learning and skill development necessary for adapting to rapid changes, including digitalization and climate change. The programme aims to enhance long-term employability and addresses priority themes funded by the European Union in the 2021–2027 programming period.
Congratulations to the entire team on this remarkable achievement!
