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 
Autumn school-hackathon “Collaboration for smart and sustainable territorial development”
04 / 11 / 2021
BSC in cooperation with BA School of Business and Finance and the masters programme in sociology of the University of Latvia, invites the master and doctoral students to the online autumn school-hackathon “Collaboration for smart and sustainable territorial development”.
New network of pan-European ambassadors to change food systems
10 / 09 / 2021
From 14th of September 2021, EU Horizon project COCOREADO starts to develop a pan-European ambassadors’ network. The project opens a call to select individuals passionate about food and agriculture who would bring forward the project’s ambition of rebalancing the food supply chain and reconnecting farmers and consumers in Europe. The 40 selected people, ambassadors, will take part in the project’s training program aimed to enable them to facilitate sustainable changes in food systems.
Book of abstracts of the BSC conference "Latvia on the Road to Sustainable Food Production and Consumption" published
09 / 08 / 2021
The book of abstracts of the papers presented at the interdisciplinary conference "Latvia on the Road to Sustainable Food Production and Consumption" organised by BSC on 11 June 2021 is now made avaialble in both Latvian and English.
BSC contributes to the European discussion on the Long Term Vision for Rural Areas
16 / 02 / 2021
Shall we weed vegetable gardens through augmented reality glasses? BSC researchers contribute to the European discussion on the Long Term Vision for Rural Areas and the role digitalisation will play in shaping rural futures.
First look at SINFO focus group discussion data
05 / 11 / 2020
In October, students of the undergraduate programme in sociology (University of Latvia) were engaged in the project SINFO to conduct three focus group discussions (FGD). In these discussions we wanted to gain a more in-depth understanding of issues raised in the public opinion survey.
BSC contributes to student training at the University of Latvia
29 / 10 / 2020
In September-October 2020, BSC provided an opportunity for sociology bachelor students from the University of Latvia to participate in the organisation of focus groups with consumers within the framework of the project SINFO ("Social innovation in food provision: Pathways to sustainable production and consumption"), thereby contributing to student training and involvement in scientific research.
Team
Dr.sc.soc., Senior researcher
Specialises in rural development, small farms, agro-food systems and innovation
Dr.sc.soc., Researcher
Specialises in sustainable food systems and food practices in Latvia, rural development and innovation. Also interested in education and methodological questions
Dr.sc.soc., Researcher
Specialises in science and technology studies and social studies of agriculture and food
Project administrative officer
Specialises in technical assistance and sustainable spaces of work
Dr.sc.soc., Researcher
Specialises in rural innovation, agricultural knowledge systems, informal learning, short supply chains and small farm development strategies
Ph.D., Researcher
Specialises in social studies of science, technology and expertise
Research assistant
Specialises in urban studies and energy transition. Interested in topics of urban gardening, mobility, degrowth and activism
Research assistant
Specialises in sustainable rural development solutions, digitisation, knowledge transfer, community development strategies and implementation. Interested in social anthropology, illuminating the daily habits and attitudes of society
PROJECTS
PUBLICATIONS
Academic publications
14 / 05 / 2021
BSC has published multiple academic articles during last decades. Click "Continue Reading" to get more information.
Research reports
30 / 05 / 2020
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.
Media articles
26 / 04 / 2019
Some of our studies have been reflected in mass media. Here are some sources where our studies have appeared.
Policy recommendations
14 / 09 / 2015
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.
Partners
