Second Bracewell Scholar arrives at SSEES

Jan joins us from Masaryk University (Czechia) and tells us a litttle about himself: 

'Hi, my name is Jan, and I came to UCL from Masaryk University, where I am in the last year of my PhD studies. I am a political scientist who is most interested in the second chambers of parliaments. I am also keen to research voter behaviour, political institutions, and Czech politics in general. Here at SSEES, among other things, I will present research that explores perceptions (of senators and the general public) of the Czech Senate in preventing democratic backsliding.

Thanks to the Bracewell Travelling Scholarship, I got this great opportunity to spend three months in London and undergo a research fellowship here at SSEES. I am also very thankful to Seán Hanley, my supervisor here in London, who has been very supportive. The same actually applies to the entire SSEES team.

In London, I plan to continue working on my research while presenting it and receiving valuable feedback at the same time. I look forward to meeting new, inspiring people and making valuable contacts that will lead to future collaborations (not only here at SSEES but also at other departments). I also wish to discover UCL; I'm really interested to see how such a renowned institution with a long tradition of education and research works. And last but not least, I'm looking forward to exploring London itself (which I have already enthusiastically begun). I am afraid that in a very short time, I've become addicted to chocolate biscuits'

The Bracewell Travelling Scholarship is funded by a gift from SSEES Emeritus Professor of History Wendy Bracewell, whose research examines South Slav history, and travel writing in and about eastern Europe. The Scholarship honours the long tradition of mutual curiosity between the UK and eastern, central and southeastern Europe by supporting PhD students from the SSEES region (excluding Germany and Russia) who wish to spend up to a term at UCL working with SSEES academics, pursuing their own research and contributing as appropriate to the intellectual life of the School.