HUME lab stands for Experimental Humanities Laboratory, a unique and innovative facility with cutting edge equipment for excellent research aimed at increasing our understanding of human interaction and addressing key theoretical issues central to the study of social cognition through experimental approaches.
The research infrastructure provides a state-of-the-art facility and equipment for experimental research focused on a variety of aspects of the human condition as seen from the perspective of different disciplines within the Social Sciences and Humanities (anthropology, archaeology, economics, education, history, linguistics, psychology, and religious studies).
In addition to conducting controlled laboratory experiments, the research infrastructure also provides the means for developing a field and natural experimental paradigm (some laboratory equipment is portable to facilitate usage in natural field settings). An integral part of the infrastructure consists of a multifunctional web-based platform with a central database, which enables the creation, administration and evaluation of a broad range of experimental batteries as well as open-access sharing of research findings.
This type of research reflects the worldwide dynamic trend of integrating humanistic and experimental approaches and presents great potential for both enriching existing research in the Social Sciences and Humanities through an experimental angle and bringing real interdisciplinarity, emphasizing new approaches and opportunities for collaboration between disciplines.
Our Goals
The main aim of the HUME Lab is to provide and further develop expertise focused on the usage of innovative research techniques in the Social Sciences and Humanities:
- translating theoretical problems into testable experimental research models;
- designing reliable and contextually relevant experimental studies;
- using modern technical equipment in both laboratory and in field settings;
- signal processing and data analysis;
- writing up research papers.
Our Expertise
- Introducing experimental methodologies and modern technologies to produce new types of quantitative and physiological data;
- Bridging the gap between laboratory and field research (by using laboratory equipment in field research e.g., experimental anthropology);
- Collaboration with researchers from the natural sciences and technologies in developing novel approaches to tackle problems studied in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Such collaborations lead to mutual enrichment and produce high-impact outcomes.
Apart from supporting research, HUME Lab’s activities include organisation of workshops, seminars and conferences or introductory courses for M.A. and Ph.D. students led by international experts with a “hands on/learn by doing” approach, webinars with presentations of novel experimental protocols by researchers in Experimental Humanities from around the world.
Research Board
The Research Board reviews and approves the implementation of research projects in the HUME Lab based on project proposals submitted by researchers, including recommendations for changes to submitted project proposals.
- Mgr. et Mgr. Eva Kundtová Klocová, Ph.D.
- Mgr. et Mgr. Radek Kundt, Ph.D.
- Ing. Mgr. Jiří Rambousek, Ph.D.
- Mgr. Čeněk Šašinka, Ph.D.
- Mgr. Roman Švaříček, Ph.D.