CERGE-EI Festival: Discover Careers in Economic Research

The CERGE-EI Festival is a community event that brings together faculty, alumni, and students to show prospective students from diverse backgrounds what an education in economics can empower us to achieve. Economic research is not just about theory and models — it’s a powerful toolkit for understanding human behavior, shaping public policy, improving markets, and addressing complex global challenges.

Whether you study Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Finance, or the Social Sciences — if you’re curious about the world and its challenges, this day is for you. Discover why an economics education matters, connect with our vibrant alumni network, and explore how studying at CERGE-EI could be your next big step. The Festival is also an opportunity for CERGE-EI alumni to reconnect, share their experiences, and contribute to the institute’s ongoing development and future growth.

Program (December 4, 2025)

Morning: Economic Research Matters

10:00 – 10:30 | Registration & Welcome Coffee

10:30 – 11:00 | Keynote from Anita Taci (Deputy Director - Impact at EBRD, and CERGE-EI alumna)

11:00 – 11:50 | From Curiosity to Academia: Faculty Talks

CERGE-EI’s professors share their personal journeys — from their first research questions to the discoveries that inspire them today. Get a glimpse into what drives top researchers and how their work addresses the changes of today’s world. Štěpán Jurajda (CERGE-EI), Jan Zápal (CERGE-EI)

11:50 – 13:00 | Career Stories Roundtables

Small-group conversations with CERGE-EI alumni working in academia, policy, and the private sector. Hear their stories, ask your questions, and rotate between tables for a 360° view of economic research in action.

Academic Research (Universities and research institutes): Marta Cota (Assistant Professor, Nova SBE, Portugal); Sinara Gharibyan (Postdoctoral Researcher, IOS Regensburg, Germany)
Policy & Expertise (Central banks, international organizations, think tanks, government): Myroslav Pidkuyko (Senior Economist at DG Economics, Public Sector and Economic Policy Analysis Division, Banco de España); Tomáš Konečný (Consultant, International Monetary Fund)
Private Sector (Tech, Data, Finance, Risk, Consulting, Strategy, Corporate roles): Gabriela Kuvíková (Chief Risk Officer, Generali CEE Holding); Martin Pecha (Chief of Staff, Rohlik Group); Ilir Maçi (Senior Data Scientist, Booking.com)

13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch

Afternoon: How We Do It

Part for the festival audience

14:00 – 15:00 | Parallel Workshops: Thinking Like a Research Economist

Get hands-on experience with what researchers actually do. This interactive session will show participants the analytical and creative skills that define great economic research (and might be useful for your Bachelor's or Master's thesis).

Coming Up with a Research Idea: Dali Laxton (Researcher at the Charles University Environment Centre)
Ever wondered how economists come up with the big questions that drive their research? In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to spot promising ideas, turn broad interests into focused, testable questions, and recognize what makes a topic worth pursuing. The instructor will also be available in the weeks after the workshop to review your research ideas and provide feedback.
Working with Data: Yaroslav Korobka (PhD student,CERGE-EI)
This interactive workshop introduces how economists work with real-world data. Participants will get a practical overview of the modern data analysis workflow used in economic research.
Presenting Your Research Idea Effectively in Five Minutes: Deborah Nováková (Academic Skills Center CERGE-EI)
We will consider ways to get your research ideas across professionally and clearly in short time periods, such as in an elevator with an important professor or via a short video presentation.

15:00 – 15:45 | PhD in Economic Research & Master in Economic Research

Get an inside look at what a rigorous and internationally recognized PhD program and our policy-oriented Master's in Economic Research program look like. Learn how our intensive training, faculty mentorship, and excellence-driven research culture prepare graduates for global careers in academia, policy, and industry.

15:45 – 16:45 | Faculty & Student Experience, Coffee & Networking

Informal one-on-one conversations — your chance to ask anything.

Research: Meet faculty and talk about academic interests
Mobilities: Study abroad and exchange experiences with our PhD students, Tereza Burýšková, who spent her mobility at the University of California, Berkeley, and Sofiana Sinani, who studied at the University of Copenhagen.
Student Life: Ask current students, Shafin Shabir and Magdalena Zucek, about day-to-day life
Applications: Get tips from the Study Affairs Office team on applying successfully

Ready to Join? Register now and secure your spot. You can apply for a travel costs reimbursement of up to 50 EUR (applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis). For more information, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Part for CERGE-EI Alumni: A Community That Matters

(Please note that this part is for the alumni community only)

13:30 – 14:00 | Welcome coffee

14:00 – 15:00 | Economics of Flourishing: Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World
TEDx-style talks by CERGE-EI alumni and faculty members exploring how economic research can help societies thrive in an age of change.

Liyousew Gebremedhin Borga, Research Associate at the University of Luxembourg
Liubomyr Bregman, Senior Manager, AI & Data, Delloite, Luxembourg
Vladimír Novák, Senior Economist, National Bank of Slovakia: Structural Challenges and the Economics of Inattention: Why We Resist Change.

15:00 – 16:00 | Panel Discussion: Professional Perspectives
Alumni with diverse career paths reflect on the key insights, challenges, and lessons learned in their professional journeys since graduation.

16:00 – 17:00 | Discussion with the Director
Discussion on the future of the alumni program and alumni involvement in CERGE-EI's future endeavors.