Researcher Spotlight 2026

Extraordinary personalities and their achievements

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Researcher Spotlight: Ieva Leimane

Mg. soc. sci. Ieva Leimane 

Researcher and Project Manager at the Sustainability Research Unit of the Bioeconomy Department at the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics

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Latvia’s Diaspora Scientists Database Unites Researchers Worldwide

 

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researchLatvia: Your Gateway to Latvia's Science

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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

science communication

The Traveling Exhibition “Research Latvia 2026” on display at The Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics and at The Ogre Central Library

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

July 27, 2026

social sciences researcher science communication

RSU researcher Anna Žabicka defends her dissertation at the University of Vienna following several years of research and eight months of living in a residential care home

What really happens in a residential care home? What is everyday life like for people in a place that society often views only through stereotypes? To find answers to these questions, social anthropologist and researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Anna Žabic…

Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte

July 27, 2026

research entrepreneurship

RTU, together with the company “Kinetics Nail Systems”, is launching a new initiative – industrial scholarships for bachelor’s and master’s students

Riga Technical University (RTU) and the company “Kinetics Nail Systems” are launching a new initiative – a scholarship programme for bachelor’s and master’s students in the “Materials Engineering” and “Materials Science and Nanotechnology” study programmes at RTU’s Faculty of Natural Sciences and T…

Riga Technical University

July 24, 2026

research

A new climate education project will help Latvian schools, municipalities, and society better understand the risks of climate change

The University of Latvia (UL), in cooperation with the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC), has begun implementing the European Commission-funded climate education project “H-Extremes-LV: From Classroom to Community, Adapting to Hydrometeorological Extremes in Latvia”. Its a…

Latvijas Universitāte

July 24, 2026

space

From Ventspils University of Applied Sciences to the European Space Agency

The opportunity to work at the European Space Agency (ESA) seems like a dream come true to many. For Ventspils University of Applied Sciences student Mārtiņš Leimants, this opportunity became a reality when, a year ago, he began a one-year internship at the European Space Agency’s ESTEC technology …

Ventspils Augstskola

July 23, 2026

natural sciences

Professor: At least 10% of our waste currently consists of items that have never been used

A large share of waste consists of items that have never been used — mostly from “Shein” and other fast-shopping retailers. Among them, the amount of textile waste is an enormous problem, and it continues to grow every year as fast fashion consumption increases, said Inga Dāboliņa, Head of the Pers…

LSM.lv Dzīvesstila redakcija, "Zināmais nezināmajā"

July 23, 2026

science

In memoriam. Zigrīda Apala (02.10.1936.–19.07.2026.)

Zigrīda Apala belongs to the now legendary generation of archaeologists of the 1960s–1980s, who were destined to carry out extensive and significant archaeological excavations. Zigrīda Mieriņa entered Latvian archaeology in 1958, when she was employed as a laboratory assistant in the Archaeolo…

Latvian Academy of Sciences

July 22, 2026

science communication

Institute of Horticulture: from Plant Biology Research to New Cultivars

ResearchThe Institute of Horticulture is one of the leading research centres for fruit and vegetable science in the Nordic-Baltic region. For over 80 years, Latvian scientists in Dobele and Pūre have been developing new horticultural cultivars adapted to Baltic climatic conditions, investigating en…

Institute of Horticulture

July 22, 2026

international collaboration

Latvia advocates targeted support for reducing the innovation gap at the meeting of EU research ministers

On 20 and 21 July this year, an informal meeting of European Union research ministers took place in Dublin, Ireland, where Latvia was represented by Ieva Siliņa, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES). The main aim of the meeting was to agree on the political gu…

Izglītības un zinātnes ministrija/ Research Latvia

July 21, 2026

science communication

PhD Oskars Java: My relatively recent doctoral studies experience helps me better understand today’s doctoral students as well

The June researcher of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) is Leading Researcher, Associate Professor and Head of the doctoral study programme, PhD Oskars Java. His research interests are related to simulation modelling, systems analysis and research management, while in his daily work he …

Vidzemes Augstskola

July 21, 2026

upcoming events

Face-to-face event

Travelling Exhibition “Science for Latvia 2026” at the Institute of Horticulture

2026-07-03

All day

Dārzkopības institūts, Graudu iela 1, Ceriņi, Krimūnu pagasts, Dobeles novads

Lecture

Lecture on ethnic and freak shows in the territory of Latvia at the turn of the 20th century

2026-07-27

2:00 pm

Ainažu iela 74, Saulkrasti

Face-to-face event

Riga Technical University invites visitors to explore science and technology during the Riga City Festival

2026-08-01

12:00 pm

Uzvaras parks, Aleksandra Grīna bulvāris 15, Zemgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga

Face-to-face event

Youth Opportunities Festival “KOPUMS”

2026-08-12

All day

Olimpiskais centrs, Stacijas iela 30, Rēzekne

top videos

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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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.

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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.
 

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