Michal Lehecka

Michal Lehecka Overview

Michal Lehečka, Ph.D., is a distinguished social and urban anthropologist with a rich academic career. He currently serves as a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, where he imparts his expertise to students in the fields of urban anthropology and ethnographic research methods. Additionally, he is an esteemed member of the faculty at the University of New York in Prague, teaching cultural anthropology.

Dr. Lehečka holds a Ph.D. in Integral Study of Man - General Anthropology from the Faculty of Humanities at Charles University. He also completed a Master's degree (M.Sc.) and a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in General Anthropology at the same institution. Throughout his education, he demonstrated a keen interest in exploring diverse aspects of urban development, housing policies, migration, spatial segregation, and the socio-material (re)production of space in Central and Eastern European cities.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Dr. Lehečka has actively engaged in both international and domestic projects in the realm of applied and committed research. He has collaborated with research associations such as Anthropictures and AutoMat, where he played a pivotal role as the head of the Laboratory of Sustainable Urbanism. His research projects have encompassed various themes related to the anthropology of the city, including community and cultural development, housing policies, gentrification, displacement, urban social movements, urban migration, segregation, and the broader issue of panel housing.

Dr.Michal Lehečka's doctoral dissertation delved into the intricate dynamics of (re)producing space within the environment of panel housing estates. Furthermore, his research interests have expanded to encompass spatial planning policies, investigating their relationship with global influences and spatial theories. He has made notable contributions to the field of social anthropology through his participation in the Cultural Capital project, led by Dr. Ondřej Špaček, which explores legitimizing mechanisms and the reproduction of cultural hierarchies.

In recognition of his academic stature and commitment to the field, Dr. Lehečka was appointed as the vice-chairman of the Czech Association for Social Anthropology in 2021, following his active involvement as a board member since 2017.

Throughout his career, Dr. Lehečka has secured various grants and scientific projects, enabling him to conduct in-depth research and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in his field. Notable projects include "Cultural Capital: Legitimization Mechanisms and Reproduction of Cultural Hierarchies," supported by GAČR (Czech Science Foundation), and "Urban Processes in the Urban Environment," funded by the SVV (Specific University Research) grant program.

In addition to his academic endeavors, Dr. Lehečka has gained extensive professional experience in various capacities. He has served as an external teacher at the Institute of Sociological Studies, FSV UK, and the Department of General Anthropology, FHS UK. Furthermore, he has been an applied researcher at the Anthropictures association and has worked as an external consultant in the field of territorial development and participation for city institutions, self-government, and the private sector.

Dr.Michal Lehečka's expertise extends beyond academia and research. He has played a significant role in organizing the Městem Festival, which showcases films exploring urban planning and transport. Moreover, he has engaged in diverse projects, including the production of the Arrival City exhibition for the Goethe Institut Prague and the Deutsches Architekturmuseum in Frankfurt.

With a rich repertoire of publications, Dr. Lehečka has shared his insights through numerous scholarly articles and book contributions. Some of his notable works include "When Private and Public React Together: Regimes of Privatization and their Consequences in Visaginas," co-authored with M. Nessler and S. Liub