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Dear subscribers,
Over the past six months, CENTREPEACE has moved forward on four main fronts—cognitive warfare, defence industry, eastern outreach, and research excellence. Each of these strands aims at one goal: better understanding, stronger connections, and real-world results.
In May, our matchmaking event in Helsinki on cognitive warfare and AI connected researchers from across Europe and opened new possibilities for cooperation, including links with the Hybrid CoE. We also hosted a public lecture on Czechia’s F-35 acquisition, exploring both the benefits and the challenges of modernisation. Another lecture in Helsinki shed light on the South Caucasus and its “no war, no peace” reality, while our policy memo reached international audiences through PONARS Eurasia.
To strengthen research excellence, we organised writing workshops, publishing masterclasses, and mentoring sessions on gender balance, alongside consultations to help colleagues prepare submissions. Young scholars joined our symposium in Oslo, and our ERC series introduced researchers to European Research Council opportunities.
Thank you for following our journey—we look forward to sharing more public events, publications, and initiatives soon on our website and social media.
— The CENTREPEACE team
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An analysis for the Washington-based think tank PONARS Eurasia on the erosion of democracy in Georgia.
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In the first half of 2025, CENTREPEACE researchers travelled across Europe to share expertise, build networks, and learn from partners. These visits opened doors for future collaborations and new perspectives.
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The Project Manager of the CENTREPEACE project visited the Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO). The aim of the visit was to exchange good experiences in the field of project development and management.
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How to write clearly, effectively and with a clear research purpose? This was the focus of the Writing Detox workshop led by Lynn Nygaard from the Peace Research Institute Oslo, who visited Masaryk University in March and gave valuable advice to academics working on their academic texts.
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Researchers from PRIO, Masaryk University and the University of Helsinki gathered in Oslo for the CENTREPEACE Junior Scholar Symposium – an event spotlighting innovative work on peace research and European security.
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Academia still faces significant gender inequalities, especially in terms of women's representation in leadership positions. A workshop led by Lynn Nygaard from the Peace Research Institute Oslo discussed the causes of these inequalities as well as concrete steps to improve the situation. The event also included one-to-one mentoring, which offered practical support to female academics in their professional development.
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Masaryk University hosted Lynn Nygaard from Peace Research Institute Oslo, an expert advisor on academic writing and gender balance in academia. During her visit, she led a workshop on "Writing for Publication in Academic Journals", focusing on the challenges of academic writing, text structure and publishing in academic journals. The course provided practical advice, especially to PhD students and junior researchers, who were able to put the acquired knowledge to use.
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From modern defence challenges to unresolved conflicts, our public lectures engaged diverse audiences and sparked debate on Europe’s security landscape.
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On August 12, 2025, Dr. Zinaida Bechná delivered a lecture at the University of Helsinki entitled “No War, No Peace? Rethinking Power, Violence, and the Prospects for Peace in the South Caucasus”. Her talk explored the geopolitical significance of the region, current tensions, and possible paths towards sustainable peace.
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On April 24, CENTREPEACE hosted a public lecture at Masaryk University featuring Dr. Thomas-Durell Young, a leading expert in defense reform and planning. Drawing on decades of experience in Central and Eastern Europe, Dr. Young explored the financial, institutional, and strategic implications of Czechia’s most significant military modernization effort to date.
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Matchmaking and Meeting in Helsinki
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Gatherings in Helsinki brought together academics and practitioners to explore cooperation, plan next steps, and strengthen our international partnerships.
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From May 26–27, 2025, the CENTREPEACE project held a two-day matchmaking event hosted by the Aleksanteri Institute at the University of Helsinki. The event focused on cognitive warfare and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in this emerging field of research, bringing together experts from across academia, public institutions, and international organisations to explore future research synergies and collaborations.
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On May 28, 2025, the CENTREPEACE project held its interim project meeting at the University of Helsinki. Representatives from Masaryk University, Peace Research Institute Oslo, and the Aleksanteri Institute gathered to reflect on the first year of the project and to shape future plans for the upcoming period.
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We supported colleagues in improving their writing, publishing, and grant applications—while also promoting equity and inclusion in academic life. We also created space for open discussion, networking, and the exchange of fresh ideas between scholars and practitioners.
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On Monday, April 28, we hosted a lecture in CENTREPEACE Art of Academic Publishing: Do's and Don'ts, led by Assoc. Monika Brusenbauch Meislová, Ph.D., and Kateřina Šipulová, Ph.D. The event focused on the challenges of academic publishing, the peer-review process, and specific strategies on how not to lose motivation while still publishing effectively.
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How to successfully obtain the prestigious GA ČR Junior Star grant? Jakub Drápal from the Faculty of Law of Charles University shared his experience at the next RMA Breakfast meeting. In addition to practical advice, he stressed the importance of a strong research vision and long-term planning.
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On Monday, May 20th, as part of the CENTREPEACE project, we hosted another RMA Breakfast, this time focused on the prestigious ERC Advanced Grants. Our guest speaker was Professor Matthew Rampley from the Faculty of Arts at Masaryk University – a successful ERC Advanced grantee and former member of an ERC evaluation panel.
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