PhDr. Mgr. Ing. Vít Šimral, LL.B., Ph.D. et Ph.D.
Vít Šimral is the Head of Global Research Initiative at the European Research University. He holds PhD degrees in Political Science from Masaryk University in Brno and in Political Systems and Institutional Change from IMT Lucca. He also holds graduate degrees in historical sociology from Charles University in Prague, innovation management from the Czech Technical University in Prague and law from the University of Leicester. Apart from his studies in the United Kingdom and in Italy, he also spent longer research periods in Brussels, Vienna, and Ljubljana. His main research interests include political finance, corruption, lobbying and systemic capture, and institutional resilience. He headed or participated in research projects funded by the European Commission, Visegrad Fund, Czech Science Foundation, Technological Agency of the Czech Republic, and other organizations. In addition to his academic career, he also served in elected public offices or supervisory bodies and has invested in and worked with several Czech and European startups.
Qualification.
PhD
Masaryk University, Political Science, 2016
IMT Institute of Advanced Studies, Political Systems and Institutional Change, Lucca, Italy, 2014
Master's Degree
Czech Technical University, Innovation Project Management, 2023
Charles University, Historical Sociology, 2013
Masaryk University, Political Science, 2009
Bachelor's Degree
University of Leicester, Law, United Kingdom, 2010
Masaryk University, Humanities, 2007
Experience.
2025–present, European Research University, Head of Global Research Initiatives
2024–2025, CzechInvest, Expansion Expert
2018–2023, City of Prague, City Councillor for Education, Sports, Science, Innovation and Business Development
2016–2018, Technical University of Liberec, Researcher
2015–2016, University of Vienna, Department of Government, Researcher
2014–2016, International Association for Political Science Students, Head of Academics
Publications (last 5 years, selected).
LABOUTKOVÁ, Š., ŠIMRAL, V. and VYMĚTAL, P. Beyond lobbying regulation: the advantages of a broader approach to implementing and evaluating transparent lobbying rules. Interest Groups & Advocacy, 2025, 14, pp. 194–218. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41309-025-00236-y.
LABOUTKOVÁ, Š., ŠIMRAL, V. Measuring the link between democracy and transparent lobbying. Critical Policy Studies, 2021, 15(2), pp. 155-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/19460171.2020.1726195.
Hobbies.
Endurance Training, Games of Incomplete Information, Science Fiction