Executive Board
Szilárd Szélpál
President, Co-Founder
Szilárd Szélpál is an accomplished professional with a diverse background spanning environmental and land development management, agricultural engineering, food technology engineering, and environmental law. He holds degrees from the University of Szeged, Szent István University in Hungary, and the University of Paris-Sorbonne (Paris-IV) in France, with additional studies at the University of Gent in Belgium and the University of Tartu in Estonia.
Currently pursuing his PhD studies at the Óbuda University, Szilárd is focusing on safety and security sciences, reflecting his commitment to multidisciplinary research. Szilárd embarked on a career at the University of Szeged, where he served as a researcher and a PhD student at the Institute of Process Engineering. His academic journey also includes studies in environmental sciences, philosophy, and other fields, underscoring his dedication to lifelong learning and exploration.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Szilárd has been actively engaged in various professional organizations. He served as an elected member of the Postgraduate Student Government at the University of Szeged and was appointed as the founder and president of the Section of Biological and Chemical Sciences within the National Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Students. He also represented the field of biological and chemical sciences as a PhD member in the Committee on Natural Sciences at the Hungarian Accreditation Committee.
Szilárd’s contributions extend beyond academia, as he is a member of the Hungarian Philosophical Association, the Madách Literary Society, and the Department of Membrane Technology at the Hungarian Chemical Society. He has authored numerous scientific articles (The European Green Deal: From Inception to Innovation. Journal of Business and Management Sciences. 2024, Disinformation and Democracy: Assessing the Threat of Fake News to Societal Trust, Security, and Global Competitiveness. Global Journal of Management and Business Research. 2025) and papers, served as the chief editor of two Book of Abstracts titled “Innovation in Science” and organized multiple scientific conferences.
In recognition of his excellence, Szilárd was awarded the prestigious Apáczai Csere János Doctoral Student Scholarship as part of the National Excellence Program. Since 2014, he has served as an environmental expert in the European Parliament, leveraging his expertise to shape policy and advocate for sustainable practices at the European level. Additionally, Szilárd possesses a keen insight into foreign affairs, advising on policy matters and contributing to the formulation of strategic initiatives in this field.
Szilvia Kecsmár
Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief of CEA Magazine
Szilvia Kecsmár is a versatile professional with a rich background in writing, media, and digital design. She holds degrees from the University of Szeged in Hungary and the University of Paris – Sorbonne (Paris IV) in France, where she studied journalism, communications, media informatics, and urbanism.
In 2013, Szilvia began PhD studies in literary sciences, focusing on 19th- and early 20th-century Hungarian women writers. Her research has been supported by scholarships in France and Austria, and she has presented at numerous literary conferences.
Currently, she is training to become an ICF Certified Life Coach, continuing her commitment to personal development and helping others thrive. She is also pursuing naturopathy, driven by a deep personal interest in holistic health.
Throughout her career, Szilvia has held various roles including teacher, journalist, project manager, and web designer. As a freelance writer, she has contributed numerous short stories to literary journals and anthologies, earning recognition in Hungarian literary contests. Her debut novel, “Egy maréknyi fűszer,” was published in 2018, followed by her Christmas ebook, “Hand-Made Christmas” released in English and Hungarian in 2020.
Szilvia is a member of the Association of Young Writers (FISZ) and currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of CEA Magazine since 2024. Her diverse experiences and passions make her a valuable asset in both literary and technological fields.
Dr. István Teplán
Co-Founder
Dr. István Teplán is a distinguished economic historian, sociologist, and educator, with a rich academic background spanning Hungary and the USA. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Central European University (CEU), serving as its Executive Vice President from 1992 to 2007. Dr. Teplán’s scholarly contributions extend to international conferences and journals, with a focus on metropolitan transformation. He is a co-contributor to the book “Budapest and New York, Studies in Metropolitan Transformation 1870-1930.” In recognition of his significant contributions, Dr. István Teplán is a recipient of the Officers Cross of Merit of the Hungarian Republic.