„Our institute was created in response to Covid-19. Since then, we have had a number of other crises that have had a strong impact on society. We are basically living in a time of permanent polycrisis. Our aim is to identify the causes of inequalities in society and to find solutions to reduce them. In this way, we are helping to build a resilient society,“
says Klára Šeďová, Scientific Director of SYRI
The National Institute for Research on Socioeconomic Impact of Diseases and Systemic Risks - SYRI for short - is a scientific hub that brings together experts from leading Czech universities and academic institutions such as Masaryk University, Charles University, institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and other collaborating institutions. Its aim was to bring together scientists who would not otherwise collaborate and to offer solutions and recommendations in real time. Social scientists analyze risk situations and seek to mitigate the challenges that emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation and rising prices, and climate change have caused or continue to cause. Recent years have clearly shown how risk-prone the current era is. Socio-economic inequalities are widening; therefore, one of SYRI’s goals is to provide data on which policymakers can base their decisions. Bringing together scientists from different institutions enables an interdisciplinary approach to solving complex problems and providing rapid and relevant recommendations.
The activities of SYRI team members are spread over five scientific areas
Their are composed as follows:
- Health
- Education
- Communication and resilience
- Policy
- Economics
Selected experts have been conducting research in all of these areas over the long term, but the SYRI project is the first to focus specifically on systemic risks related to health and other societal threats.
SYRI's mission is:
- To build a Czech center of excellence in a hitherto systematically unexplored area
- To bring together elite scientists from different fields into one functional unit
- To show that research in social sciences addresses current issues in society
- To put systemic risk policy in the spotlight using the example of polycrises
- To formulate real-time scientific outputs and recommendations for politicians
- To show that cutting-edge science can play an important societal role
Organizational structure
Coordination Board
The highest strategic body of SYRI is the Coordination Board, comprising the vice-rectors of both universities (MUNI, CU) and the Vice-Chairman of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. Its responsibilities include approving the Institute’s long-term strategy, overseeing the achievement of project objectives, addressing major strategic decisions and risks, and coordinating the SYRI National Institute’s long-term sustainability. The Coordination Board meets twice a year.
Steering Committee
The main executive and coordination body of SYRI is the Steering Committee. It comprises representatives of the scientific councils of the individual partner institutions and ensures the strategic and operational management of the project, inter-institutional coordination, and the integration of joint research. Steering Committee’s activities include coordinating the preparation of joint grants, publications, and development initiatives; organizing conferences, workshops, and other public events; and supporting internationalization, human resource development, mentoring, and science communication. It meets four times a year.
Scientific Councils of Partner Institutions
Scientific Councils operate at the level of individual partner institutions and comprise research group leaders and other senior researchers. Scientific Councils coordinate the activities of research groups, support the development of interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to the strategic direction of research activities within their respective institutions. The individual Scientific Councils meet six times a year.
