Filip Láb Award established at ICSJ: Both this year’s graduates and current students are eligible to apply

When Alice Němcová Tejkalová, Head of the Department of Journalism, received the Cori Couple Award for her contribution to equal opportunities last autumn, she pledged to use the financial prize to support students whose work focuses on similar themes, particularly equality and human rights. "The award will be named the Filip Láb Award – it was the obvious choice. Filip and I worked together on issues of human rights and equal opportunities, and I want his legacy to live on, remembered not only through the concrete lecture hall that bears his name," explains Němcová Tejkalová.

The award will have two categories. The first will be for graduates with the best thesis. A total of CZK 8,000 will be awarded: if one thesis is selected, its author will receive CZK 5,000; if the jury decides to recognise two equally outstanding theses, each author will receive CZK 4,000.

The second category supports current students in organising projects related to the award's themes. Up to CZK 7,000 may be awarded to one project, or CZK 3,500 each if two projects are selected. Eligible projects may include, for example, a public debate, an exhibition, a series of video interviews for social media, printing costs for a student magazine, photographs or posters, or the promotion of a campaign or human rights values connected with the field of study.

How to apply?

"We don't want a complicated competition structure or lengthy application forms—that simply wouldn't reflect Filip's spirit. All we ask for is a clearly structured and well-justified application email. For the thesis category, applicants should attach a thesis successfully defended in 2026. For the project category, applicants should describe their proposed or completed event or project and include any relevant attachments if appropriate," says Němcová Tejkalová.

It is essential that the topic of the thesis or event relate to equal opportunities or human rights, and that the author be a graduate (for the first category) or a current student (for the second category) of the Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism. Applications are open to students and graduates in both Czech and English study programs at ICSJ.

The deadline for submissions for both categories is October 31, 2026 (evaluation will take place by November 30, 2026); the email address for submissions is: cenafilipalaba.iksz@fsv.cuni.cz. The judges will primarily consist of faculty members from the Department of Journalism, along with friends of Assoc. Prof. Láb from other parts of the institute. 

Who was Filip Láb?

Doc. Mgr. MgA. Filip Láb, Ph.D. (1976–2021) was one of the leading Czech photography theorists and an active photographer. As a professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University, he influenced several generations of journalism students.

His academic work brought together the theory and practice of analogue and digital photography, photojournalism, visual communication, and the changing nature of images in the (post-)digital era. His publications – including Photography after Photography, The Twilight of Photojournalism?, and Post-Digital Photography – have made significant contributions to contemporary debates on photography and its role in society.

As a teacher, he created an open and safe environment in which he encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and the courage to express one’s own opinions. He treated everyone with respect, sensitivity, and trust in their individual potential.

The Filip Láb Award honours his belief that education should inspire curiosity about the world, cultivate critical thinking, and promote respect for human rights and equal opportunities.