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CenMAS Hub

The CenMAS Hub is an open platform for cross-departmental and multidisciplinary collaboration at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University. It brings together junior and senior researchers working in area studies and related fields, including history, political science, the social sciences, philology, cultural studies, and other disciplines concerned with the study of world regions.

Mission

The CenMAS Hub creates an environment in which researchers across departments and disciplines can:

It serves as a bridge between the different disciplinary approaches to the study of world regions traditionally developed at the Faculty. The Hub combines in-depth regional, historical, cultural, and linguistic knowledge with comparative and contemporary social science perspectives.

We believe that (comparative) area studies are strongest when in-depth knowledge of individual regions becomes the foundation for shared questions, comparative research, and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries.

Our understanding of area studies follows, though not exclusively, the approaches outlined in the foundational publications listed below and practised by leading international institutions in the field, particularly the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA).

For more information on (comparative) area studies, see the following foundational publications.

Ahram, Ariel I., Patrick Köllner, and Rudra Sil, eds.

Comparative Area Studies: Methodological Rationales and Cross-Regional Applications

Oxford University Press, 2018

Ahram, Ariel I., Patrick Köllner, and Rudra Sil, eds.

Advancing Comparative Area Studies: Analytical Heterogeneity and Organizational Challenges

Oxford University Press, 2025

Objectives

The CenMAS Hub aims to:

  • support cross-departmental and multidisciplinary research projects, offering small grants whenever possible
  • broaden the methodological repertoire of researchers at the Faculty of Arts by connecting philological and historical approaches with comparative and contemporary social science methods
  • create opportunities for junior and senior researchers to exchange knowledge and develop joint initiatives
  • strengthen the internationalisation of the research community at the Faculty of Arts by hosting leading international scholars for seminars and research visits and by supporting research visits abroad
  • contribute to the further development of multidisciplinary and comparative area studies at the Faculty of Arts

Activities

Research Seminars

Junior and senior researchers at the Faculty of Arts run regular research seminars focusing on work in progress and selected methodological topics.

Small Grants

CenMAS Hub is offering a total of 12 small grants over two rounds (2026 and 2028) for junior and senior researchers at the Faculty of Arts.

News

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Research seminar explored affective polarization and democratic accountability 

Does affective polarization make citizens less committed to democratic principles?

Or does it mainly weaken their willingness to hold politicians accountable when they violate democratic norms?

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Introducing CenMAS Hub – Initial meeting

The CenMAS Hub is an open platform connecting researchers in area studies and related fields across the Faculty of Arts, Charles University. It brings together regional expertise with approaches…

CenMAS Hub Coordinators

Do you have any questions, ideas or suggestions? Please, contact Mahmoud Farag

CenMAS Hub Affiliate Members

The Hub brings together researchers from across the Faculty of Arts whose work contributes to the multidisciplinary study of world regions.

View our Affiliate Members