Meet Dr. Hlatky from the University of North Texas, Department of Political Science, whose academic journey recently brought him to Slovakia for a two-month stay through National Scholarship Programme at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences at Comenius University. With deep personal roots in Central Europe and a strong professional interest in public opinion, voting behavior, and the politics of identity, he has been exploring how societies respond to challenges such as refugee resettlement and intergroup relations. His time in Bratislava not only strengthened his research collaborations with Slovak scholars but also offered him a chance to connect with the country’s culture, history, and natural beauty.

Could you tell us where you’re from, what your field of research is, and how long you have been (or were) in Slovakia?
I was born in the Czech Republic but moved to Texas when I was five, but my father was born in Nove Mesto nad Vahom in Slovakia, and my mother in Hradec Kralove in the Czech Republic. When I was younger, I would spend almost every summer in the Czech Republic and Slovakia – I’m sure it sparked my research interests in the region. I still have family in both places, and it’s always nice to take a weekend to visit them while doing fieldwork. I am a political scientist. In total, I have probably spent over 18 months doing research in Slovakia – including an extended stay funded by NSP and a Fulbright Fellowship. I have several ongoing projects with Slovak collaborators at Comenius University. With Dr. Oľga Gyárfášova, I work on research related to Slovak electoral politics – i.e., public opinion and voting behavior. With Dr. Andrej Findor, I research intergroup cooperation and conflict. I always enjoy presenting my work in progress in Slovakia – e.g., at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences’ research seminar series. Getting feedback from Slovak colleagues always improves my work, adding necessary nuance or context.

What is the object of your research?
I research public opinion, voting behavior, and the politics of identity — focusing on intergroup prejudice and support for radical-right, nationalist parties. My recent fieldwork in Slovakia analyzed public opinion towards Ukrainian refugees – particularly how to strengthen tolerance –and how the Slovak state and civil-society organizations have responded to the demands of refugee resettlement.

How did the application process for the scholarship go for you? Was there anything particularly easy or challenging about it?
The NSP application process was straightforward with clearly defined requirements. I would certainly recommend the NSP to other researchers interested in conducting research in Slovakia or collaborating with Slovak researchers.

Do you have any advice for future international researchers considering a stay in Slovakia?
One piece of advice for future international researchers interested in Slovakia is to not hesitate to reach out to potential future collaborators ahead of time. Slovakia is home to amazing academic institutions and researchers – many of them are eager to collaborate with international colleagues. I would recommend taking time to go see Slovakia’s beautiful countryside – particularly the Tatra Mountains – or doing a tour of the multiple castles scattered across the country. If in Slovakia during Christmas, I recommend trying some of the traditional holiday foods – e.g., cabbage soup (kapustnica).

Do you think you’ll return to Slovakia someday?
I will certainly return to Slovakia at the next available opportunity. My research, friends, and colleagues provide strong professional and personal reasons for doing so.