Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) is a private non-profit research institute specialising in (i) agricultural and food knowledge and innovation systems, (ii) just urban, rural and regional development, (iii) food system transformation, (iv) sustainable land use and (v) the circular (bio)economy.
About
Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) is a private non-profit research institute. BSC undertakes interdisciplinary and action-oriented research and cooperates with policy makers, municipalities, SMEs, and other research and advisory organisations to address societal challenges, foster innovation and support knowledge-based decision-making. Areas of BSC expertise and strategic specialisation include (i) agricultural and food knowledge and innovation systems, (ii) just urban, rural and regional development, (iii) food system transformation, (iv) sustainable land use and (v) the circular (bio)economy.
News 
Impressions of BSC researchers on the AE-Pro-Vision project
17 / 06 / 2025
BSC is participating in AE-Pro-Vision, a regional project developing an agroecological vision for sustainable food systems across five Baltic Sea countries. This article shares preliminary findings, current and planned activities, as well as reflections on the challenges of implementing agroecology—both within research contexts and its adoption in society.
Keynotes from Senior Researcher Tālis Tisenkopfs at "Bureaucracy and Society" Conference
23 / 05 / 2025
Senior researcher Tālis Tisenkopfs participated in discussions on May 16, 2025, at the "Bureaucracy and Society" conference, addressing the efficiency of public administration and the role of bureaucracy in modern society. He shared his experience with implementing EU projects and emphasized the importance of introducing balanced governance.
On World Bee Day — Thinking about the future of pollinators
20 / 05 / 2025
May 20th marks World Bee Day, a moment to celebrate the crucial role of bees and other pollinators in supporting both nature and human well-being. BSC research assistants Jessica Girardi and Maja Raemakers share their RestPoll fieldwork experiences and practices that help preserve pollinators.
FoSSNet: BSC researchers on building inclusive food systems science
16 / 05 / 2025
Senior researcher Tālis Tisenkopfs and research assistant Ilze Mileiko discuss the progress of the FoSSNet project – its challenges and achievements, participation in the Oxford conference, as well as the development of an inclusive methods toolkit and the establishment of a food systems science laboratory at Āgenskalns Market.
Monthly “Long Breakfast” at the Co-creation Kitchen RE CEP TE
07 / 05 / 2025
Project assistant Sanija Stangute interviews Rūta Ausma, manager of AUSTRA café, about organising the “Long Breakfast” at the Āgenskalns co-creation kitchen — an initiative carried out as part of the IN-HABIT project.
Integrating social sciences in pollinator conservation: BSC’s contribution to RestPoll
07 / 05 / 2025
In this interview blog, Senior Researcher Anda Ādamsone-Fiskoviča discusses BSC's role in the Restpoll Project, outlining research activities, key collaborations, and future directions.
Team
Ph.D., Senior researcher, Director
Specialises in social studies of science, technology and expertise
E-mail: emils.kilis [at] bscresearch.lv
OCRID: 0000-0002-2233-3637
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
OCRID: 0000-0001-5975-8076
Dr.sc.soc., Senior researcher, Board member, Head of the scientific council
Specialises in science and technology studies and social studies of agriculture and food
E-mail: anda.adamsone-fiskovica [at] bscresearch.lv
OCRID: 0000-0002-8549-7110
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
OCRID: 0000-0002-9004-2014
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
OCRID: 0000-0002-7880-0820
Dr.geogr., Researcher, Board member
Specialises in studies of agriculture, food systems and short food supply chains.
E-mail: maija.usca [at] bscresearch.lv
OCRID: 0000-0001-8136-0769
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
OCRID: 0009-0002-5896-3005
MSc, DipM, Research assistant
E-mail: deniss.vasiljevs [at] bscresearch.lv
OCRID: 0000-0003-4350-0630
Dr.geol., Project administrative officer
Specializes in working with various financial support instruments for research ideas
E-mail: agnese.kukela [at] bscresearch.lv
OCRID: 0000-0002-3630-9320
Project Assistant
E-mail: lucija.ceicane [at] bscresearch.lv
Project Assistant
E-mail: miks.braslins [at] bscresearch.lv
Project Assistant
E-mail: irina.ugorenko [at] bscresearch.lv
Project Assistant
E-mail: sanija.stangute [at] bscresearch.lv
Project Assistant
E-mail: eva.abolina [at] bscresearch.lv
Project Assistant
E-mail: annija.danenberga [at] bscresearch.lv
PROJECTS
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PUBLICATIONS
Academic publications
20 / 05 / 2024
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.
Partners
