ČAD (Czech Association of Doctoral Researchers)

The Czech Association of Doctoral Researchers (ČAD) is a registered association (official Czech name: Česká asociace doktorandek a doctorandů, z. s.) that brings together doctoral researchers in the Czech Republic. The aim of the association is to improve the quality and conditions of doctoral studies in the Czech Republic, to create a space for sharing experiences within and across disciplines, to increase doctoral researchers’ awareness of study and professional opportunities and to help to improve their own professional skills. ČAD is a non-profit organization and all its activities are based on the voluntary cooperation and personal contribution of its members and other collaborators. Membership is free and open to all those enrolled in doctoral studies in the Czech Republic, regardless of their research focus, form of study, or citizenship/nationality. ČAD strives to achieve its goal through activities in three main areas: 1. raising of the topic of the importance of doctoral studies at the political level and in public discourse, communication with the bodies shaping the conception of doctoral studies, with higher education institutions 2. awareness-raising activities of sharing good practice and warnings about problems and bad habits in doctoral studies across the Czech Republic 3. providing individual consultations when dealing with problems related to doctoral studies. In cooperation with its members, ČAD published two guidebooks: Guide for those considering PhD studies (2017, 2020) and the Guide for new doctoral researchers (2021). Both documents are so far available only in Czech.