The Velvet Revolution was a non-violent uprising in Czechoslovakia that saw the overthrow of the Communist government. On November 17, 1989, police suppressed a peaceful student demonstration in Prague. Among the protesters were many young employees of Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. Based on the November events, civil forums were created at worksplaces. In consequences of the political evolvement, some of the compromised directors from institutes left their positions and during the following six months all directors had to be evaluated. Scientific committies began to form. On November 6, 1989, the entire presidium of ČSAV resigned and December 12, the Chamber of elected representatives of ČSAV was established. This organ became a carrier of fundamental changes, for example the first Czech science foundation was set up and proposals for evaluation of the institutes formed. The new organization structures of Academy were created. and Antonín Kostlán.
Evropská společnost pro dějiny vědy určila po Maastrichtu, Krakově, Vídni, Barceloně, Aténách a Lisabonu za místo konání své sedmé mezinárodní konference Prahu. Uskuteční se 22. až 24. září 2016 a její hlavní téma zní „Věda a moc, věda jako moc“. Jak přesně toto téma uchopit, o tom se nyní diskutuje mezi těmi, kteří konferenci připravují - předkládaný text o vztahu vědy a politiky vznikl jako podklad pro tyto diskuse. and Antonín Kostlán.