Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) is a private non-profit research institute specialising in studies of sustainable rural and regional development, agro-food systems, farming, knowledge production and innovations.
About
Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) is a private non-profit research organisation in the field of social sciences. Since establishment in 1991 BSC has carried out over 40 research projects including 15 EU Framework Programme projects. The areas of BSC expertise include sociology, sustainable agriculture, food supply chains, innovation networks, peri-urban agriculture, community development, public policy analysis, science and technology studies.
BSC undertakes action oriented research strategies and cooperates with producers’ organisations, policy makers, municipalities, SMEs, and other research and advisory organisations nationally and internationally. This helps to focus the research on the needs of practitioners and enhance practical innovations.
A presentation video about BSC can be found here. Please also see a video on BSC's dissemination, exploitation, communication and outreach activities here.
News 
Position available: Postdoctoral researcher in nutrient governance and management in river basins
28 / 11 / 2024
Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral researcher (or equivalent) position in ENGAGE, a new international research project aimed at enhancing nutrient governance and management across river basins in Europe.
Successful conclusion of BSC-led project CIRCLE
21 / 11 / 2024
Overview of the results of the first BSC-led international project CIRCLE ("Promoting collaboration for sustainable and circular use of bioresources across agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture").
Summertime in Sicily: not just for tourists
15 / 11 / 2024
Research Assistant Jessica Girardi shares insights from her month-long Forum Synergies traineeship in the rural Sicilian community of Porto di Terrab in Italy where she delved into local sustainable practices and embraced a community-focused way of life.
How to involve students in place development?
05 / 11 / 2024
On 1 November 2024, BSC Senior Research Tālis Tisenkopfs delivered a speech at the "Prosperity and Long-Term Development of Latvian Regions" conference, sharing his experience on student involvement in the IN-HABIT project.
Researchers assess the impact of In-Habit solutions introduced in Āgenskalns Market
04 / 11 / 2024
An overview of the achievements to date and future plans for the IN-HABIT project. Social anthropologists Ilze Mileiko and Miks Brasliņš reflecting on observed changes in Āgenskalns Market.
Coexisting with the sea: Field notes from the ethnographic expedition "Life by the sea"
05 / 09 / 2024
Research assistant Ilze Mileiko shares her impressions about the ethnographic expedition “Life by the Sea” where, under the leadership of researcher Guntra Aistara, participants explored the coastal life of Northern Kurzeme and its traditions related to fishing, agriculture, and culinary heritage.
Team
Ph.D., Senior researcher, Director
Specialises in social studies of science, technology and expertise
E-mail: emils.kilis [at] bscresearch.lv
Dr.sc.soc., Senior researcher, Board member
Specialises in rural development, small farms, agro-food systems and innovation
E-mail: talis.tisenkopfs [at] bscresearch.lv
Dr.sc.soc., Senior researcher
Specialises in science and technology studies and social studies of agriculture and food
E-mail: anda.adamsone-fiskovica [at] bscresearch.lv
Dr.sc.soc., Senior researcher
Specialises in sustainable food systems and food practices in Latvia, rural development and innovation. Also interested in education and methodological questions
E-mail: mikelis.grivins [at] bscresearch.lv
Dr.sc.ing., Mg.sc.soc., Senior researcher
Specialises in circular bioeconomy, waste management, environmental life cycle assessment, and systems’ modelling. Also interested in greenhouse gas emissions, climate change adaptation and policy scenarios.
E-mail: elina.dace [at] bscresearch.lv
Dr.geogr., Researcher
Specialises in studies of agriculture, food systems and short food supply chains.
E-mail: maija.usca [at] bscresearch.lv
Mg.sc.soc., Research assistant
Specialises in qualitative research methods, teaching, and innovative food supply chains
E-mail: ilze.mileiko [at] bscresearch.lv
MSc in Agriculture, Research assistant
Specialises in organic agrifood production and agroecosystem management, use of botanicals as biocontrol products in plant protection. Also interested in medicinal and aromatic plants production, small-farm systems, and social farming.
E-mail: jessica.girardi [at] bscresearch.lv
Dr.geol., Project administrative officer
Specializes in working with various financial support instruments for research ideas
E-mail: agnese.kukela [at] bscresearch.lv
Project Assistant
E-mail: lucija.ceicane [at] bscresearch.lv
Project Assistant
E-mail: miks.braslins [at] bscresearch.lv
PROJECTS
PUBLICATIONS
Academic publications
20 / 05 / 2024
BSC has published multiple academic articles during last decades. Click "Continue Reading" to get more information.
Media articles
20 / 05 / 2024
Some of our studies have been reflected in mass media. Here are some sources where our studies have appeared.
Handbook "Cooperation for Smart and Sustainable Territorial Development"
30 / 12 / 2021
BSC has published a handbook [in Latvian] about directions for development and cases of sustainable food systems, digital solutions, and rural-urban interlinkages.
Policy recommendations
30 / 12 / 2021
Many of our studies have been practically oriented and have had policy recommendations as one of outputs. Here are some of the policy recommendation documents.
Research reports
31 / 08 / 2021
In our studies we have been participating in a large number of research projects. Here are the links to most of research reports. Click "Read more" to continue.
Partners
