BSC

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.

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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.

h1-before News h1-after

Coexisting with the sea: Field notes from the ethnographic expedition "Life by the sea" Ilze Mileiko icon-clock 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.

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Postdoctoral research opportunity at Baltic Studies Centre BSC icon-clock 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. 

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Monitoring the monitor: Lay observations in the field Anda Ādamsone-Fiskoviča icon-clock 18 / 08 / 2024

BSC senior researcher Anda Adamsone-Fiskovica shares her personal reflections and experiences from the field during recent pollinator monitoring trips.

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Exploring bee fauna in Latvian grasslands Maja Raemakers icon-clock 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.

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Thriving through collaboration: Reflections from the PLUS Change project BSC icon-clock 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.

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BSC joins the Memorandum of Understanding to establish a biorefinery ecosystem in Latvia BSC icon-clock 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.

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h1-before Team h1-after

Emīls Ķīlis

Ph.D., Senior researcher, Director

Specialises in social studies of science, technology and expertise

E-mail: emils.kilis [at] bscresearch.lv

Tālis Tisenkopfs

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

Anda Ādamsone-Fiskoviča

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

Miķelis Grīviņš

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

Elīna Dāce

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 

Maija Ušča

Dr.geogr., Researcher

Specialises in studies of agriculture, food systems and short food supply chains.

E-mail: maija.usca [at] bscresearch.lv

Ilze Mileiko

Mg.sc.soc., Research assistant

Specialises in qualitative research methods, teaching, and innovative food supply chains

E-mail: ilze.mileiko [at] bscresearch.lv

Jessica Girardi

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

Agnese Kukela

Dr.geol., Project administrative officer

Specializes in working with various financial support instruments for research ideas

E-mail: agnese.kukela [at] bscresearch.lv

Lūcija Ceicāne

Project Assistant

E-mail: lucija.ceicane [at] bscresearch.lv

Miks Brasliņš

Project Assistant

E-mail: miks.braslins [at] bscresearch.lv

h1-before PROJECTS h1-after

AE-Pro-Vision

Creating an Action Plan for an Agroecological Baltic Sea Region Vision (AE-Pro-Vision)

2024-2025 

Keywords: agroecological transition, bioeconomy, Baltic Sea region, stakeholder mapping

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FoSSNet


Pan-European Food Systems Science Network (FoSSNet)  
 

2024 - 2028 

Keywords: Education, social sciences, interdisciplinary, gender equality, food Systems, food systems science, transition, sustainability, inclusivity, FOKIS, knowledge and innovation systems 

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RestPoll

Restoring Pollinator habitats across European agricultural landscapes based on multi-actor participatory approaches

2023-2027

Keywords: pollinators, restoration, agricultural landscape transformation, conservation, co-designing, biodiversity, living-lab network, pollinator-friendly policies

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PLUS Change

Participatory land use strategies: Meeting biodiversity, climate and social objectives in a changing world

2023-2027

Keywords: Climate research, Transformations, Systems Change, Behaviour Change, Governance, Land Use Modelling, Interventions, Planning and Policy

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PREMIERE

Preparing multi-actor projects in a co-creative way

2023-2027 

Keywords: agriculture, rural development, fisheries 

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DATA4FOOD2030

Pathways towards a fair, inclusive and innovative data economy for sustainable food systems

2022-2026

Keywords: digitalisation, food, data economy, sustainability, monitoring

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CODECS

Maximising the CO-benefits of agricultural Digitalisation through conducive digital ECoSystems

2022-2026

Keywords: digitalisation, farmers, sustainability, demonstration, technology assessment

 

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Strengthening of the Capacity of Doctoral Studies at the University of Latvia within the Framework of the New Doctoral Model

Strengthening of the Capacity of Doctoral Studies at the University of Latvia within the Framework of the New Doctoral Model

2022-2023

Keywords: support of young scientists, renewal of academic staff

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CIRCLE

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Promoting collaboration for sustainable and circular use of bioresources across agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture

2021-2024

Keywords: circular economy, bioresources, cross-sectoral collaboration, business models, interdisciplinarity

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CUPP

Critical Understanding of Predictive Policing

2021-2024

Keywords: law enforcement, digitalisation, public sector, police, innovation, citizens

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GreenHort

Elaboration of environment-friendly crop growing technologies identified by the Green Deal and their implementation in horticultural production in Latvia

2021-2023

Keywords: green deal, innovation, horticulture, sustainability, technological solutions, soil fertility, greening, participatory research

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EKIP

Enacting user-centred knowledge and innovation partnerships for smart and sustainable territorial development

2020-2021

Keywords: knowledge partnerships, sustainable food systems, digitalisation, rural-urban linkages, participatory approach, cross-sectoral knowledge, responsible research and innovation

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COCOREADO

Connecting consumers and producers to rebalance farmers' position through ambassadors trainings

2021-2024

Keywords: Supply chain management, knowledge transfer, creativity management

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IN-HABIT

Inclusive health and wellbeing in small and medium size cities

2020-2025

Keywords: Sustainable planning, Gender in urban planning and development,  Social innovation, Innovation and diversity, Inclusive Health and Wellbeing, Partnerships, Disadvantaged neighborhoods, Small and Medium Size Cities

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SYSTEMIC

An integrated approach to the challenge of sustainable food systems: adaptive and mitigatory strategies to address climate change and malnutrition

2020-2023

Keywords: Food security, climate change, food production, consumption, nutrition, and public health

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DESIRA

Digitisation: Economic and Social Impacts on Rural Areas

2019-2023

Keywords: regional development, rural development studies, social studies of science and technology, digital social innovation, scenario labs, socio-cyber-physical systems, responsible research and innovation

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SINFO

Social Innovation in Food Provision: Pathways to Sustainable Production and Consumption

2018-2021

Keywords: social innovation, food provision, governance, sustainability, diets

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ROBUST

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Rural-Urban Outlooks: Unlocking Synergies 

2017-2021

Keywords: rural, urban, interaction, synergies, governance

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AGRILINK

Agricultural knowledge: linking farmers, advisors and researchers to boost innovation

2017-2021

Keywords: innovation support services, participatory innovation, micro-AKIS, transdisciplinarity, living labs, farmers, policies, advisors

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TRUST

Innovations in Non-timber Forest Products: Towards Rural Development and Sustainability

2017-2020

Keywords: wild products, innovations, rural development, sustainability

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TOOLS2SEA

Policy tools for Baltic Sea nutrient management

2018-2020

Keywords: policy instruments, nutrient management, Baltic Sea Action Plan, future scenarios

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PLAID

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Peer-to-peer learning: accessing innovation through demonstration

2017-2019

Keywords: innovation, agriculture, knowledge exchange, commercial farms, demonstration activities

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SALSA

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Small farms, small food businesses and sustainable food security

2016-2020

Keywords: food and nutrition security, sustainability, food chains, small farms, small food businesses, food systems, transdisciplinarity, multi-actor, systemic, advanced spatial analysis, policy, EU, Africa

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SUFISA

Sustainable finance for sustainable agriculture and fisheries

2015-2019

Keywords: food and nutrition security, sustainable finance, food supply chains, risk management, credit markets, agricultural policies

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TRANSMANGO

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Assessment of the impact of drivers of change on Europe's food and nutrition security

2014-2018

Keywords: assessment, global drivers of change, food and nutritional security, scenarios, pathways

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GLAMUR

Attēlu rezultāti vaicājumam “glamur”

Global and local food chain assessment: a multidimensional performance-based approach

2013-2016

Keywords: local food supply chains, global food supply chains, EU policies, sustainability, real costs of food, performance, multicriteria, access to food

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RETHINK

Rethinking the links between farm modernisation, rural development and resilience in a world of increasing demands and finite resources

2013-2015

Keywords: farm modernisation, rural resilience, prosperity, knowledge and learning networks, governance

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SUPURBFOOD

Attēlu rezultāti vaicājumam “supurbfood”

Towards sustainable modes of urban and peri-urban food provisioning

2012-2015

Keywords: short food supply chain, urban and peri-urban agriculture, recycling, sustainability, policy, city-region, developing countries

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SOLINSA

Attēlu rezultāti vaicājumam “solinsa”

Agricultural knowledge systems in transition: towards a more effective and efficient support of learning and innovation networks for sustainable agriculture

2011-2014

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PUREFOOD

Urban, peri-urban and regional food dynamics: towards an integrated and territorial approach to food

2010-2014

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FOODLINKS

Attēlu rezultāti vaicājumam “foodlinks”

Knowledge brokerage to promote sustainable food consumption and production: linking scientists, policymakers and civil society organizations

2011-2013

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ETUDE

Enlarging the theoretical understanding of rural development

2007-2009

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IN-SIGHT

Strengthening innovation processes for growth and development

2006-2008

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SINER-GI

Strengthening international research on geographical indications: from research foundation to consistent policy

2005-2008

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COFAMI

Encouraging collective farmers marketing initiatives

2005-2008

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SUS-CHAIN

Marketing sustainable agriculture: an analysis of the potential role of new food supply chains in sustainable rural development

2003-2006

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PUBACC

Analysing public accountability procedures in contemporary European contexts

2001-2004

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Transforming rural communication

Transforming rural communication

2001-2003

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Making Agriculture sustainable Role of farmers networking and institutional strategies

Making agriculture sustainable: role of farmers networking and institutional strategies

1997-2000

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h1-before PUBLICATIONS h1-after

Academic publications BSC icon-clock 20 / 05 / 2024

BSC has published multiple academic articles during last decades. Click "Continue Reading" to get more information.

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Media articles BSC icon-clock 20 / 05 / 2024

Some of our studies have been reflected in mass media. Here are some sources where our studies have appeared. 

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Handbook "Cooperation for Smart and Sustainable Territorial Development" Sandra Šūmane icon-clock 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.

 

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Policy recommendations BSC icon-clock 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.

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Research reports BSC icon-clock 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.

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h1-before Contacts h1-after

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