Mgr. Blanka Loučková, Ph.D.

Position:
Researcher

Branch:
The Department of Social Processes and Sustainability

Workplace:
ÚVGZ AV ČR, v. v. i.
Bělidla 4a
Brno
603 00

Phone:
+420 703 828 750

Research Focus

I am a researcher focusing on the social dimensions of global change, transformative change, sustainability, and social justice. My long-term research addresses decision-making processes related to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and environmental governance. I also focus on nature-based solutions in urban areas and issues of socio-ecological inequalities. I have experience leading work packages in international research projects, applying participatory research methodologies, and working in interdisciplinary teams at both national and international levels. I am involved in teaching the course Critical Topics in Social Dimensions of Global Environmental Change at Masaryk University.

Education

2004 – 2009: Ph.D. in Physical Geography. Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno. (Thesis: “Bottomland vegetation in relation to fluvial geomorphic landforms in near-natural river reaches in Hrubý and Nízký Jeseník Mountains”)

1999 – 2004: MSc. (First Class) Teaching training in biology, geography and geology. Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc

Appointments

2022 – present: Researcher, Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CzechGlobe), Department of Social Processes and Sustainability. Interdisciplinary research in the field of environmental change and ecosystem services

Current Research Projects

2024 – 2028: STENEO – Social Dimensions of New Energy Technologies in the Ostrava Metropolitan Area (OP JAK, co-investigator, task leader)

2019 – 2026: Integrated LIFE project for the Natura 2000 network in the Czech Republic (task leader responsible for participatory assessment of ecosystem services)

2022 – 2025: PLANET4B – Understanding plural values, intersectionality, leverage points, attitudes, norms, behaviour and social learning in transformation for biodiversity decision-making (Horizon Europe, co-investigator, task leader)

2016 – 2022: Maternity and parental leave

2012 – 2015: Researcher, Department of Social Dimensions of Global Change, Global Change Research Center

2008 – 2011: Lecturer in Landscape Ecology and Physical Geography, Department of Geography, Palacký University Olomouc. Teaching of undergraduate and masters courses: Physical Geography, Methods in Physical Geography, Landscape Ecology, Landscape Planning, Regional Geography of Middle East. Supervising dissertations.

2007 – 2008: Environmental Management Consultant, Ekoaudit Ltd., Brno. Environmental Impact Assessments, Strategic Environmental Assessments.

Important research visits and fellowships

2023: Utrecht University, Department of spatial planning, Nizozemsko (prof. Niki Frantzeskaki)

2010: Tagliamento, Italy: Visiting researcher, research on short-term changes of Tagliamento River ecosystem (coordinated by the university Università degli Studi di Trento and Queen Mary University of London)

2009: Visiting lecturer at Karl-Franzens University in Graz, Austria. (Invited lecture: Human intervention into Landscape in the Czech Republic during the Communist Era)

2007: Visiting Scholar, Department of Geography, King’s College London (Professor Angela Gurnell)