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 
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.
Postdoctoral research opportunity at Baltic Studies Centre
23 / 08 / 2024
Baltic Studies Centre offers an opportunity to develop a post-doctoral research project in the social and environmental sciences as part of Latvian Council of Science’s 1st call for research applications under the 1.1.1.9. activity “Post-doctoral Research”, open to both Latvian and foreign postdoctoral researchers.
Monitoring the monitor: Lay observations in the field
18 / 08 / 2024
BSC senior researcher Anda Adamsone-Fiskovica shares her personal reflections and experiences from the field during recent pollinator monitoring trips.
Exploring bee fauna in Latvian grasslands
02 / 07 / 2024
Maja Raemakers, an intern from the Wageningen University in the Netherlands, offers her insights and reflections on studying wild pollinators in Latvia as part of the RestPoll project.
Thriving through collaboration: Reflections from the PLUS Change project
20 / 06 / 2024
At the end of May, the Baltic Studies Centre participated in the first General Assembly of the PLUS Change Project in Brussels. Senior researcher Elina Dace shares her reflections on the significance of the event in promoting collaborative research and her experience leading a co-creative session on sustainable land use.
BSC joins the Memorandum of Understanding to establish a biorefinery ecosystem in Latvia
19 / 06 / 2024
On 18 June, senior researcher Elina Dace joined representatives from 22 companies, state institutions, and research organisations in signing a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a new Biorefinery Ecosystem in Latvia, marking a significant step towards the development of a sustainable bioeconomy.
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
