Researcher Spotlight 2026

Extraordinary personalities and their achievements

watch video

Researcher Spotlight: Līga Lepse

Dr. agr. Līga Lepse 

Head of Scientific Board and Leading Researcher at the Agrotechnical Research and Variety Evaluation Department at the Institute of Horticulture

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

natural sciences

El Niño, Omega, climate change – why are we experiencing increasingly frequent and devastating heatwaves?

In recent days, Latvia has been experiencing very intense heat, but it is most severe in France, Spain and Italy, as well as in parts of the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. Why are such heatwaves occurring increasingly often? And will they become increasingly intense in the future? Science…

Delfi.lv, The Guardian, dw.com

June 29, 2026

innovation

How modern technologies are transforming football and how Latvia is contributing to the development of global sports innovation

Football is currently undergoing the fastest technological transformation in its history. Sensors in the ball, microchips, semi-automated offside detection, artificial intelligence, high-precision camera systems and video refereeing technologies are significantly changing the fairness and dynamics …

Raidījums "Digitālās brokastis", jauns.lv

June 29, 2026

public health citizen science

This summer, the Rīga Stradiņš University anthropological expedition will visit Bauska, Dobele, Saulkrasti, Limbaži and Valmiera

This summer, researchers from Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) will continue the anthropological research project on the population of Latvia initiated nearly a hundred years ago by Professor Jēkabs Prīmanis. The expeditions will take place in Zemgale and Vidzeme from late June to August, and approxi…

Rīgas Stradiņa Universitāte

June 27, 2026

natural sciences innovation

Food or waste? Researchers develop a sensor for determining seafood freshness

Does the expiry date indicated on the packaging really tell us everything about the freshness of the product? In the programme “Latvia in Science”, Artis Kinēns, a leading researcher at the University of Latvia, introduces the “FreshWave” project, which aims to develop a sensor for detecting fresh …

Latvian Council of Science

June 27, 2026

humanities and arts social sciences

Call for papers for the conference "Struggle for human minds"

The Latvian War Museum, in cooperation with the National Library of Latvia, announces the call for papers for the international scientific conference “Struggle for human minds. Information, intelligence and propaganda in 20th century military conflicts and today”. The conference will take place on …

The Latvian War Museum

June 27, 2026

natural sciences research

Call for project proposals announced for the National Research Programme ‘Development of studies defined in the Priority Action Programme for Biodiversity, Part 2’ for 2026–2028

The Latvian Council of Science, based on Paragraph 17 of the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 560 of September 4, 2018, “Procedure for the Implementation of National Research Programme Projects”, announces an open call for project proposals for the National Research Programme “Development of St…

Latvijas Zinātnes padome

June 26, 2026

public health

Science for a Healthier Latvia: Government approves national research programme for the development of the health sector and state policy needs

On June 16, 2026, the government approved the National Research Programme in the health sector, which is a state‑commissioned initiative for scientists aimed at promoting the development of science‑based solutions for shaping health policy, advancing innovation, and achieving national development g…

Veselības ministrija

June 26, 2026

humanities and arts

Institute of Literature, Folklore, and Art of the University of Latvia: Respect for the Past and Modernity

The Institute of Literature, Folklore, and Art of the University of Latvia (ILFA UL) is an agency of the University of Latvia and an organization dedicated to scientific research and the preservation of cultural heritage. In June 2026, the Institute celebrates its 80th anniversary.  The I…

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

June 25, 2026

natural sciences space

Solar Physicists Discover New Way to Measure Entropy Changes in the Sun’s Atmosphere

A team of solar physicists has discovered a new way to detect and measure entropy variations in the Sun’s atmosphere – a breakthrough that could help researchers better understand how energy moves through the solar corona and why the Sun’s outer atmosphere is millions of degrees hotter than its sur…

Ventspils Augstskola

June 25, 2026

public health social sciences international collaboration

Scientists on singing. The power of joint singing in times of threats and crises

The Latvian nation is often referred to as a “singing nation.” There is a great deal of historical and contemporary cultural evidence that confirms the importance of collective singing in the formation and strengthening of the Latvian nation and state – the phenomenon of folk songs, the splendid tr…

Latvian Academy of Culture in cooperation with Research Latvia

June 19, 2026

upcoming events

Conference

Conference “Fluorides and Antibiotics. Balance in Prevention and Treatment”

2026-06-29

2:00 pm

Stomatoloģijas Institūts, Dzirciema iela 20, Rīga

Face-to-face event

Field day at the AREI Priekuļi Research Centre

2026-06-30

All day

Zinātnes iela 2, Priekuļi

Face-to-face event

The 2nd International Congress of Transcultural Studies “Give and Take: Transdisciplinary Spaces of ‘Cohesive Netting’”

2026-06-30

All day

Radisson Blu Latvija Conference Hotel (Elizabetes iela 55, Rīga)

Hybrid event

Application for the "Falling Walls Lab" pitching competition

2026-06-30

2:00 pm

LU Zinātņu māja, Jelgavas iela 3, Rīga

top videos

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

May Researcher Spotlight: Edgars Butanovs

Ph. D. Edgars Butanovs, Lead researcher at the Thin Films Laboratory of the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia and head of the Semiconductor Thin Film Nanotechnology Group, PhD Edgars Butanovs focuses on developing ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor coatings – materials with the potential to transform high-power electronics and next-generation energy systems. His research explores how these advanced thin films can improve efficiency, reduce losses and enable new applications in optoelectronics, sensing and renewable technologies.
 

watch video

April Researcher Spotlight: Monta Brīvība

Dr. biol. Monta Brīvība is Head of the Genome Centre and Researcher in the Precision Medicine Group at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre. At the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, genome research drives Monta Brīvība's efforts to understand how genetic variation shapes human health. As Head of the Genome Centre and researcher in the Precision Medicine Group, she explores how genomic data can reveal disease risks and support the development of more accurate, personalised healthcare. BMC is one of the centres established by the National Research and Innovation Institute (NIRI), promoting excellence in biomedical research.

watch video

statistics at a glance

stay tuned

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