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 video about BSC's dissemination, exploitation, communication and outreach activities can be found here.
Blog 
Launch of the project RestPoll
24 / 11 / 2023
RestPoll is a new project which aims to permanently restore and connect pollinator habitats in Europe. The project began in October 2023 and will run for 4 years. It aims to provide society with tools to reverse wild pollinator declines and to position Europe as a global leader in pollinator restoration.
Meet Yuliia, ERASMUS+ Internee at the Baltic Studies Centre
16 / 11 / 2023
We are pleased to introduce Yuliia Hodnieva, an ERASMUS+ Internee who has recently joined the IN-HABIT project team at BSC after her academic journey from Nitra (Slovakia) to Riga.
New researchers join the BSC team
10 / 09 / 2023
This year, the BSC team has been joined by two researchers - Dr.geogr. Maija Ušča and Dr.sc.ing. Elīna Dāce.
Research position in an EU project on data economy in European food systems
15 / 11 / 2022
BSC is looking for a PhD student or a PhD degree holder to be employed in the EU Horizon Europe project "Pathways towards a fair, inclusive and innovative Data Economy for Sustainable Food Systems" (Data4Food2030).
Research position in an EU project on digital ecosystems in agriculture
11 / 11 / 2022
BSC is looking for a PhD student or a PhD degree holder to be employed in the EU Horizon Europe project "Maximising the CO-benefits of agricultural Digitalisation through conducive digital ECoSystems" (CODECS).
BSC starts a new EU project on digitalisation – Data4Food2030
06 / 10 / 2022
BSC starts a new Horizon Europe project on digitalisation – Data4Food2030 “Pathways towards a fair, inclusive and innovative Data Economy for Sustainable Food Systems”. The project kick-off meeting took place in Lisbon on 29th of September 2022.
Team
Dr.sc.soc., Senior researcher
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 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.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 rural innovation, agricultural knowledge systems, informal learning, short supply chains and small farm development strategies
E-mail: sandra.sumane [at] bscresearch.lv
Ph.D., Senior researcher
Specialises in social studies of science, technology and expertise
E-mail: emils.kilis [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
Mg.sc.soc., PhD candidate; Research assistant
Specialises in the sociology of work, especially in the assessment of the skills imbalances to the labour market’s needs and adult education opportunities, social policy evaluations, as well as masters the principles of the circular economy.
E-mail: oksana.zabko [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
Project administrative officer
E-mail: lucija.ceicane [at] bscresearch.lv
Dr.sc.ing., Mg.sc.soc., 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
PROJECTS
PUBLICATIONS
Media articles
31 / 10 / 2023
Some of our studies have been reflected in mass media. Here are some sources where our studies have appeared.
Academic publications
21 / 09 / 2023
BSC has published multiple academic articles during last decades. Click "Continue Reading" to get more information.
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
