UHK strengthens its ethical infrastructure and continues addressing social safety. The new university ombudswoman will help

Veronika, first and foremost – welcome to UHK!

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Were you looking forward to working at UHK? Do you have a relationship with the university or the city? In short – do you know us?

I'll start from the last question. I have a solid connection to the city; after all, I am a native of Hradec Králové, and, except for my university studies in Olomouc, I have lived here all my life. I see UHK as part of the city and its culture. I am glad that I now have the opportunity to be part of the university, although, of course, there is also some nervousness about entering a new environment and a new job position, as well as curiosity about where we can take the area of social safety at UHK.

When and how does a person decide to apply for the ombudswoman position at a public university?

It was a long process because I understand that it is a responsible and demanding job. It took me a lot of thinking and more than one conversation with close people and various colleagues from different areas of my professional life. Finally, the decision matured that I had something to offer UHK, so I decided to apply for a job that made a lot of sense to me.

I remind our readers that you went through a multi-stage selection process, culminating in a psychological assessment of your person. The selection also included developing a concept of what the UHK ombudsperson should address and how. Can you share your plans that convinced the commission, composed of representatives of the rectorate and faculties?

I want to note right at the beginning that the commission also included a student body representative, which I think is essential.

What from the document should be highlighted as crucial without deterring readers from continuing? Besides addressing individual concerns, I see the preventive and educational component as essential so that unethical conduct does not occur at all ideally. I want to establish smooth cooperation with counseling centers, students, HR managers, academic departments, and the leadership of faculties and departments to build the most pleasant study and work environment possible and create a network of people to turn to with more complex problems.

One of the exciting topics I will explicitly mention because it is part of every international collective, like a university environment, is the clash of cultures. I want the ombudsperson's institute to serve as a safe place where people can turn, an institution that will help mediate dialogue, advise, and assist in finding fair solutions. As I mentioned earlier, the main idea is to work through prevention to create an environment where concerns do not arise.

Your arrival at UHK is accompanied by high expectations, logically linked to university cases that were heavily discussed in the media. I'm curious what you think about the agenda ahead of you. What do you think will be the topics and issues addressed?

The entire agenda is a challenge and an excellent opportunity to move UHK further and create an environment where people feel good and will remember fondly. I'm not very familiar with the UHK environment itself, which I see as an advantage at this moment in terms of the impartiality of the ombudsperson – I come to the position without preconceptions about the environment at UHK. At the same time, I hope it's mutual. For this reason, I allow myself not to answer the question at this moment.

You represent the younger generation, so I believe you will quickly gain the trust of our students – after all, it's not been long since you were a university student yourself. I assume, however, that you will also work with our employees, if necessary.

I hope to quickly gain employees' trust as well, even though it may take a bit longer due to my age. On the other hand, it cannot be said that I don't have relevant work experience from studying at both schools and afterward, which I can use in my work at UHK. During my studies, I had the opportunity to work in a law firm in recent years, also as a lecturer in primary prevention. At the same time, I am currently working at the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic, where I am involved in mediation matters. Similarly, during my studies, I got into teaching law, working with real clients in the Student Legal Advisory Service, and mediating real cases as part of a mediation clinic. For this, I am grateful to my alma mater for a considerable range of experiences, and therefore, I think I have something to offer UHK.

I don't want to preempt, but it's possible that the concerns and topics you will deal with might not be entirely pleasant. How and where does an ombudsperson address their mental hygiene?

On a day-to-day basis, for me, it's physical activity, ideally dance, where one can "switch off" the brain and focus solely on how their body is working. Let's be honest; sometimes, it's also a good dose of some series on one of the streaming platforms. At the same time, I welcome the opportunity to join the School Ombuds Platform, which offers the possibility of interventions or supervision. And in case these tools don't help, I am prepared to seek professional help, of course. People should take care of their mental health as well.

I would very much like unpleasant cases not to be dealt with at UHK, or rather, for no issues opposing the university's ethical code to occur. Nonetheless – what should someone do if they feel you should address their situation? What is actually the threshold for contacting you?

If you feel that there has been action contrary to the ethical code and you do not want or cannot address the issue with the person who, in your opinion, violates the ethical code, or you do not wish to or cannot address it with someone at your faculty in whom you have trust and belief that the situation could be resolved, do not hesitate to turn directly to me. I am happy to listen to you, and together, we can devise a plan on how to proceed so that it is comfortable for you.

I will continue, albeit reluctantly, with the hypothetical situation that someone is indeed a victim of unethical conduct at UHK. What are the practical steps to take? How can I contact you? Where can I find you, and when?

You can reach me by phone, email, or in person. My office is at the rectorate on Rokitanského Street, and the necessary contacts are available on the UHK website. Perhaps just to add one true cliché, my door is always open to you.

By cooperating with you, UHK joins other universities with an ombudsperson institute. Will you be in contact across universities? Is there a platform within which you can share your practice or even seek advice?

As mentioned before, the School Ombuds Platform is currently operating in the Czech Republic, and such platforms exist internationally. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom, so sharing good practices and having a place to seek advice is seen as very useful and enriching for all of us.

Thank you for your time and the interview. I look forward to our meetings within UHK and sincerely hope that improving the environment at UHK, which I personally hold dear from my studies, will be a significant part of your work. Once again, welcome.

Thank you as well, and I believe we will gradually succeed together.