Science and Research in the National Museum
In 2019, the scientific research activities of the National Museum focused on both basic and applied research in natural and social sciences. In addition to operating funds, the research was mainly supported by Institutional Support for the Long-Term Strategic Development of Research Organisations (IP DKRVO) as well as other domestic and foreign subsidy programmes in the form of projects and grants. As part of institutional support, the research activities were structured into 26 research areas and 101 sub-objectives, within which 67 specific projects were carried out in 2019. The research areas and objectives are part of the new concept of IP DKRVO 2019–2023. The results of scientific activities were presented by National Museum representatives at 48 conferences, seminars and workshops in the Czech Republic and 58 such events abroad and published in almost 300 publications entered into the Register of Information on Results (RIV). Among them were 121 articles published in prestigious, high impact factor journals and 15 books. The results of applied research included, for example, 3 specialised public databases, 2 certified methodologies or a functional sample. The popularisation of research and education through lectures and popularisation articles, exhibitions, excursions, media appearances, etc. also played an important role.
The research activity took place both within the regional focus on the territory of the Czech Republic and at important scientific and archaeological or ethnological localities all over the world. It continued with further excavation seasons as part of an archaeological expedition to Wad Ben Naga and research in the area of Tell al-Shamiyah (Nahrer-el-Arab, Latakia Governorate). For effective research, the National Museum emphasizes the development of national and international cooperation of various kinds. Among the significant new international cooperation, it is necessary to mention at least the opening up of the possibilities of archaeological research in Syria or scientific research in the Philippines. The area of cooperation also includes support for internships for professionals. In the form of business trips, 53 internships were supported from operating costs, and 12 internships within the subsidy programs. In the course of 2019, thanks to the ERASMUS+ program, 14 internships for foreign students and graduates were carried out at the workplaces of the National Museum.
In the first interim evaluation of the fulfilment of the long-term concept for the development of a research organization for 2019–2023 in 2019, realized by the Council of the Minister of Culture for Research (RMKPV), the National Museum received an “A” rating meaning excellent fulfilment of this concept.
In 2019, 37 projects of various subsidy programs and specializations were dealt with in the National Museum. The employees were involved in 11 basic research projects of the GA CR and 7 projects of applied research NAKI II. Furthermore, 2 new GA CR projects and 2 new NAKI II projects were acquired with the beginning of the involvement in 2020. A new two-year cycle of internal grants (2019-2020) supporting young researchers under the age of 35 was also launched. A total of 5 internal scientific projects and 1 interdisciplinary project were awarded.
Project and professional activities also take place outside the professional units of the NM. An example is two projects of applied research of the NAKI subsidy program dealt with in 2019 within the Department for Central Collection and Exhibition Activities, which also participates in solving research goals within the framework of institutional support.
Ongoing NAKI projects
- Development of modern parliamentary culture in the Czech lands and Czechoslovakia (Period: 2018–2022; Investigator for NM: doc. PhDr. Michal Stehlík, Ph.D.)
- Analysis, description and archiving of comprehensive information on the properties of objects of cultural heritage and the use of this information in restoration, conservation and research (Period: 2016–2020; Investigator for NM: Ing. Petra Štefcová, CSc.)