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 
Introducing BSC's first working paper: What is the problem with predictive policing?
18 / 03 / 2025
BSC Working Papers serve as a platform for disseminating the preliminary research findings and initial ideas of BSC researchers. These working papers are unfinished drafts that have not yet been fully developed to meet the rigorous standards of peer-reviewed journals.
Postdoctoral research opportunity at Baltic Studies Centre
17 / 03 / 2025
Looking for a place to do your postdoctoral research? Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) offers an opportunity to develop a post-doctoral research project in social and environmental sciences as part of Latvian Council of Science’s upcoming call for research applications under the 1.1.1.9. activity “Post-doctoral Research”.
Insights from BSC researchers on the CODECS project
07 / 03 / 2025
CODECS (Maximizing the Co-Benefits of Agricultural Digitalization Through Conducive Digital Ecosystems) is an international research project funded by the European Union, running from 2022 to 2026. Its goal is to explore and evaluate the impact of digitalization on agriculture and production.
Impressions about IN-HABIT
22 / 01 / 2025
BSC's new colleague, Sanija Stangute, writes about her experience and involvement in the IN-HABIT project, sharing observations about implemented solutions and the development of Āgenskalns Market.
Call for Abstracts: 30th European Society for Rural Sociology Congress in Riga, Latvia
15 / 01 / 2025
Abstract submission is now open for the 30th ESRS Congress, themed "Navigating Rural Transitions: Exploring Liveable Futures," which will take place in Riga, Latvia, from 7–11 July 2025.
Position available: Doctoral or Postdoctoral researcher in urban nature-based solution governance
13 / 01 / 2025
The Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) is seeking a Doctoral or Postdoctoral researcher to join NatureScape, an international project focused on integrating urban nature-based solutions such as rain gardens, green roofs and living walls, and community gardens in seven European cities: Riga, Oslo, Lisbon, St. Gallen, Lublin, Milan, and Dublin.
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, 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
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, Board member
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
Project Assistant
E-mail: irina.ugorenko [at] bscresearch.lv
Project Assistant
E-mail: sanija.stangute [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.
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
