Lecturers
RNDr. Stanislav Popelka, Ph.D.
Stanislav Popelka uses eye-tracking to evaluate and optimize map design and user experience—pinpointing where attention flows, diagnosing sources of confusion, and iterating toward clearer cartographic communication. As a researcher in cognitive cartography, his work examines how people read and interpret maps, linking visual attention with cognitive processes. He conceives and co-designs open-source tools for eye-tracking analysis and visualization (ScanGraph, GazePlotter, EyetRack). Beyond cartography, he works with experts in psychology, religious studies, physics and mathematics education, and geography to apply eye-tracking across disciplines. His studies also highlight the potential of eye-tracking in education—revealing how students process visual materials, identifying learning strategies, and informing the design of teaching resources for diverse learners.
He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications in international journals and conference proceedings. Stanislav also serves as a member of the board of the Czech Cartographic Society.
Contact: stanislav.popelka@upol.cz
Mgr. Markéta Beitlová, Ph.D.
Markéta Beitlová is a cartographer and researcher specializing in cognitive cartography, eye-tracking, and geoinformatics. She is affiliated with the Department of Geoinformatics at Palacký University in Olomouc and with Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Cartography at Charles University in Prague.
Her Ph.D. thesis, defended in 2021, investigated how teachers and students differ in their map reading strategies, using eye‐tracking to compare these groups and explore educational cartographic communication.
Her research focuses on how people read and understand maps, how map design influences perception and decision-making, and on the development of educational cartographic tools, especially school atlases.
Among her recognitions, in 2024 she won the Henry Johns Award for the best article in The Cartographic Journal, for her work on verifying cartographic communication models via eye‐movement recording to detect map reading strategies.
Contact: marketa.beitlova@upol.cz
Mgr. Tomáš Vaníček
Tomáš Vaníček is a PhD candidate at the Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University in Olomouc, Czechia. His research focuses on geoinformatics and cartography, particularly on the usability evaluation of interactive cartographic visualisations using cognitive cartography methods, with a strong emphasis on eye-tracking.
He earned his Master’s degree in Geoinformatics and Cartography in 2022 with a thesis on the think-aloud method in cartographic research, and his Bachelor’s degree in 2020 with a thesis on mapping socio-spatial phenomena in Olomouc. Since 2022 he has been pursuing his doctoral research on Usability Evaluation of Interactive Cartographic Visualisations using the Eye-Tracking Method.
In 2024, Tomáš completed a research internship at the University of Salzburg (Z_GIS), gaining experience with advanced web-based eye-tracking tools. He has co-authored publications in ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information and in proceedings of international cartography and eye-tracking conferences. He is also a member of the Czech Cartographic Society.
At the Kaunas workshop, Tomáš will contribute to sessions on practical preparation of eye-tracking experiments with Tobii Pro Glasses, innovative data analysis methods, and comparison of paper vs. web atlas usability studies.
Contact: tomas.vanicek@upol.cz
Mgr. Michaela Vojtěchovská
Michaela Vojtěchovská uses eye-tracking primarily for interaction. She designs and develops maps that can be controlled by users’ gaze or adapt to it.
As a PhD student at Palacký University Olomouc, she is part of the eye-tracking research group led by RNDr. Stanislav Popelka, Ph.D., where she also supports the team with the technological side of experiments—simplifying data collection, and developing open-source tools such as GazePlotter for analysis and visualisation.
She also works at Masaryk University, developing an eye-tracking-based dyslexia intervention system and supporting eye-tracking experiments in the humanities.
Contact: michaela.vojtechovska01@upol.cz
Prof. Irina Klizienė
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1914-7355
Prof. Irina Klizienė works in the fields of Social Sciences and Medical and Health Sciences, with a research focus on Education (S007) and Public Health (M004). Her research explores the impact of the educational environment on students’ mathematics achievement, applying progress assessment instruments linked to the primary mathematics curriculum (standardised tests) as well as eye-tracking methodology in collaboration with the Eye-Tracking Laboratory.
She is a member of the Educational Research Group at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, where she serves as Professor and Chief Project Researcher at the Academic Centre of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. She also works at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Applied Mathematics as a Project Specialist. In addition, she contributes to student development as a Senior Trainer with the Sports Teams Office, Department of Student Affairs.
Contact: irina.kliziene@ktu.lt
