Researcher Spotlight 2026

Extraordinary personalities and their achievements

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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

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Latvia’s Diaspora Scientists Database Unites Researchers Worldwide

 

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in brief

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

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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.

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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.

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research spotlight

space

Latvia Emphasises Security, Innovation and the Use of Europe’s Full Potential in European Space Policy

Ieva Siliņa, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science, representing Latvia at the International Space Summit in Paris on 9–10 September 2026, emphasised the need to strengthen Europe’s position as a competitive and resilient space power, while also ensuring opportunities for…

Ministry of Education and Science/ Research Latvia

September 11, 2026

science communication natural sciences humanities and arts space

Researchers’ Night 2026 Invites Everyone to Discover the Nature of Science Across Latvia

Under the slogan “Discover the Nature of Science!”, “Researchers’ Night 2026” will take place across Latvia on Friday, 25 September, inviting everyone to explore science in an exciting and practical way. At more than 35 locations, visitors will be able to look inside laboratories and discover struc…

Latvijas Zinātnes padome

September 11, 2026

natural sciences science communication

If every glacier in the world were studied, unpredictable natural disasters might be avoided. UL geologists have returned from an expedition to Greenland’s glaciers.

If every glacier in the world were studied, unpredictable natural disasters might be avoided. Research data make it possible to predict what could happen to glaciers in the future. This is what geologists from the University of Latvia (UL), who have returned from a month-long expedition to north-we…

LTV News Service

September 10, 2026

natural sciences

A New Devonian Lungfish Species Discovered in Latvia

Researchers from the University of Latvia (UL), in collaboration with Swedish and Australian palaeontologists, have discovered and described a new, previously unknown lungfish species in Upper Devonian deposits in Kurzeme. The species has been named in honour of the Latvian deity Jumis. The researc…

Ervīns Lukševičs, LU EZTF Professor and Leading Researcher at the Department of Geology

September 10, 2026

public health sports science

New Sports, Study and Research Complex Opened at Rīga Stradiņš University

On 9 September, the new Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) sports complex at Cigoriņu iela 3 in Riga was opened. The nearly €13.4 million, 3,627 m² complex brings together studies, sports, and research in one location, providing a modern environment for RSU students, including students of the RSU Sport…

Rīga Stradiņš University

September 9, 2026

space

Ventspils Researchers Present Latest Discoveries on Massive Star Birth at International Astrophysics Symposium in Germany

Dr. Artis Aberfelds, Senior Researcher at the Engineering Research Institute "Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre" (VIRAC) of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, participated in the prestigious international symposium "SFB 1601: Cologne-Bonn Symposium on the habitats of massive sta…

Ventspils University

September 9, 2026

public health achievements

Latvian Cancer Centre Joins the Ranks of Recognised European Centres

The Latvian Cancer Centre of Riga East Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS) has received international accreditation from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), becoming the first internationally accredited cancer centre in Latvia, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reports. The accr…

Delfi.lv

September 9, 2026

space research

EU Alternative to “Starlink”: Could Latvia Use “GovSatCom” Satellite Communications in Crises?

During the recent storm in Latvia, communication disruptions created challenges for emergency services. They had to operate “out of coverage”, so alternative solutions such as “Starlink” satellite internet and radios were used. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport, which is responsible for the comm…

Ņikita Andrejevs (Latvian Radio correspondent)

September 8, 2026

natural sciences achievements

Latvian Birch Bark Innovation Nominated for the Prestigious “RegioStars 2026” Award

 For the third year in a row, a European Union (EU) funds project implemented in Latvia has been selected as a finalist in the European Commission’s prestigious “RegioStars” competition. This year, the competition jury has nominated the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry project “Treasu…

Ministry of Finance Republic of Latvia

September 8, 2026

science science communication

Technology is being developed in Latvia to improve data security

 Traditional electronic microchips are rapidly approaching their physical limits, but researchers at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), are already working on a solution. A Latvian Television report highlights the scientists’ work on next-generation photonic …

Latvian Television / Latvian Council of Science

September 7, 2026

upcoming events

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

Face-to-face event

Presentation Event for the Scientific Monograph The Age of Social Media

15.09.2026

Plkst. 16:00

Valmieras Integrētajā bibliotēka

Face-to-face event

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

16.09.2026

All day

Raiņa bulvārī 19, Rīga

Conference

Viedo pilsētu konference

17.09.2026

All day

Rīga, Zunda krastmala 8

top videos

September Researcher Spotlight: Jānis Ārents

At the Robotics and Machine Perception Laboratory of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (IECS), PhD Jānis Ārents leads research on how robots can navigate complex environments, interpret human instructions and apply learned skills to new tasks.His work seeks answers to a central question: how to enable robots to move through forests, construction sites or industrial settings and interact with humans as naturally as colleagues.

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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.

 

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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.

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