Researcher Spotlight 2026

Extraordinary personalities and their achievements

watch video

Researcher Spotlight: Jānis Ārents

Ph. D. Jānis Ārents 

Leading Researcher at the Robotics and Machine Perception Laboratory of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science

watch video

Join the Diaspora Scientists Database

Latvia’s Diaspora Scientists Database Unites Researchers Worldwide

 

Find out more

researchLatvia: Your Gateway to Latvia's Science

Science creates, surprises and drives forward

find out more
  • 1 from

research in Latvia

in brief

We are building a stable and strong national research environment, enabling international and public-private partnerships to emerge.

read more

why Latvia

Latvia's research policy is developed in order to create the maximum number of opportunities both in the research and education system and in the business environment.

read more

mission

We believe that a culture of knowledge offers the best opportunities for creating and sustaining a strong civil society in a world that is constantly changing.

read more

research spotlight

sports science public health

RSU to open a €13.4 million sports, study and research complex

On Wednesday, 9 September, the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) sports complex at Cigoriņu iela 3 will be opened in the Latvian capital, RSU reports. The €13.4 million, 3,627 m² complex will bring together studies, sports, and research in one location, providing new opportunities for RSU student…

TVNet.lv/ Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte

September 3, 2026

humanities and arts

Is culture accessible to everyone, what is its economic impact, and what is the future of creative professions?

Who provides diverse and high-quality cultural content in Latvia, how is it provided, and for whom? How is the cultural offer aligned with what Latvia’s residents expect? How can the value of culture and its contribution to the national economy be measured? What will the future of creative professi…

Aija Lūse, Institute of Culture and Arts of the Latvian Academy of Culture

September 3, 2026

public health natural sciences

Systemic sclerosis may be more common in Latvia than statistics suggest; study also reveals a frequent risk of nerve damage

Systemic sclerosis is one of the most severe autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In people with this condition, mortality is approximately 3.5 times higher than among healthy people of the same age. Despite the seriousness of the disease, it remains relatively understudied, particularly with regard…

Rīga Stradiņš University

September 2, 2026

collaboration entrepreneurship research

The University of Latvia invites European teams to participate in EUDIS Defence Hackathon 2026 Latvia

From 15 to 17 October 2026, the European Commission’s EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) international defence innovation hackathon “Defence Hackathon 2026 Latvia” will take place at the University of Latvia (UL) in Riga, bringing together startups, researchers, engineers, and technology develope…

University of Latvia

September 2, 2026

research collaboration entrepreneurship

Latvian Microchip Competence Centre begins consulting companies

The Latvian Microchip Competence Centre (LCCC) invites micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including startups, to submit their technological needs, questions, and ideas for expert consultations in the field of microchips and related high technologies. The aim of the consultations is to …

kursors.lv

September 1, 2026

science communication

The Travelling Exhibition “Research Latvia 2026” on Display at The Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (EDI) and the University of Latvia Riga 1st Medical College

The travelling exhibition “Research Latvia 2026”, created by the Ministry of Education and Science, offers a unique opportunity to discover 12 outstanding Latvian scientists and their contributions to the development of society and research. In May, the travelling exhibition and the science calenda…

researchLatvia

September 1, 2026

citizen science

Riga Through a Smartphone Lens – What Do Young People’s Photographs Reveal About the Urban Environment

Imagine this — you are asked to name the places in your city that you would like to improve and to capture them in photographs with your phone. What would you photograph first? Why are these particular places important to you? In recent times, increasing attention has been devoted to urban env…

Laura Brutāne (LAC researcher), Andis Daugavvanags (LAC researcher)

August 31, 2026

humanities and arts

International academic conference “What Makes Literature? Redefining Realism, Poetics, and Belonging.”

From 16 to 18 September, the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia (UL) will host in Riga an international academic conference “What Makes Literature? Redefining Realism, Poetics, and Belonging.” The conference is one of the central events marking the 80th anniversar…

The Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia

August 31, 2026

sports science

Riga Stradiņš University Researchers Develop Adapted Physical Fitness Tests for Children and Young People with Functional Limitations

Researchers from Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) working within the framework of the national research programme Sports project #IMRSportsLV have developed and compiled adapted physical fitness tests for children and young people with functional limitations into a practical video resource. This is t…

Riga Stradiņš University

August 28, 2026

natural sciences

Research Conducted on the Impact of Forest Drainage on Carbon Stocks in Forests on Organic Soils

On 26 August, at the library of the Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Valters Samariks (ORCID: 0000-0001-9953-0455) successfully defended his doctoral thesis, a thematically unified collection of scientific publications entitled “Carbon Stock Changes after Long-Term Drainage in Fore…

The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

August 28, 2026

upcoming events

Face-to-face event

Pizza & Science Session: Challenges in pediatric cancer microbiome research

03.09.2026

Plkst. 16:00

Rīga, Vienības gatve 45

Conference

CERS Conference “Cultural Research for Our Future Choices”

09.09.2026

All day

Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka

Conference

Conference “Cultural Research for Our Future Choices”

09.09.2026

Plkst. 14:00

Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka, Mūkusalas iela 3, Rīga, Latvija

Discussion

Presentation of the book “British Statecraft in the Baltic Sea Region” and discussion

15.09.2026

Plkst. 11:30

Rīga, Aspazijas bulvāris 28 ES māja

top videos

August Researcher Spotlight: Ieva Leimane

Mg. soc. sci. Ieva Leimane. As a Researcher and Project Manager at the Sustainability Research Unit of the Bioeconomy Department at the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics (IARE), Mg. soc. sci. Ieva Leimane focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, biodiversity conservation on farmland, socio-economic assessments, and cooperation among stakeholders in agriculture and rural development. Her work promotes sustainable rural development and environmental protection in agriculture.

 

watch video

July Researcher Spotlight: Līga Lepse

As a Head of Scientific Board, Leading Researcher at the Agrotechnical Research and Variety Evaluation Department at the Institute of Horticulture (IH) Dr. agr. Līga Lepse, where she has dedicated several decades to researching vegetable cultivation technologies and plant breeding. Her work addresses questions of growing global importance – how to produce healthy, high‑quality vegetables while protecting the environment and using resources responsibly.

watch video

June Researcher Spotlight: Jānis Ozoliņš

Ph. D. Jānis Ozoliņš is a Leading Researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia. As a leading researcher at the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia (UL ILFA), PhD Jānis Ozoliņš also serves on the Institute’s Scientific Council, contributes to international research organisations, and teaches at the Art Academy of Latvia as a lecturer and doctoral thesis supervisor. His academic profile reflects a deep engagement with contemporary cultural processes and the role of the humanities in understanding society.

watch video

statistics at a glance

stay tuned

#researchLatvia newsletter to inspire you with research news, collaboration opportunities, outstanding articles and more