Latvia's science stands out for its diversity, innovation, and international competitiveness. It is an integral part of our daily lives - enhancing quality of life, driving economic development, and paving the way toward a sustainable future. To foster closer dialogue between the research community and society, the Ministry of Education and Science has created the Latvia’s science communication portal, researchLatvia.gov.lv. This platform serves as a bridge, connecting scientific achievements with public interests, promoting understanding, and inspiring new discoveries.
Several successful science communication initiatives in Latvia have increased public awareness of the importance of research. One of them is the calendar of scientific personalities "Research Latvia" created by the Ministry of Education and Science - an annual tradition that has encouraged a positive change in attitude towards science and strengthened the visibility of Latvia’s science both nationally and internationally. Additionally, an interactive digital map has been developed, gathering all the scientific institutions involved in European Researchers’ Night activities. Since 2018, a biennial study on cultural and scientific engagement and participation has been conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia. The next results and conclusions of this study are expected to be presented in early 2025, providing new data and insights for improving science communication.
“Today, strategic science communication is a vital tool for fostering not only public awareness but also engagement and trust in science. The researchLatvia brand symbolizes Latvia's unified and integrated approach to science, where boundaries between disciplines fade to create a common space of knowledge and a vision of the value of science. This brand highlights Latvia's science goal to create value through interdisciplinarity, European collaboration, and the development of a knowledge-based society. This approach strengthens the identity of Latvia's science and its role in the global scientific ecosystem,” comments Dr. sc. ing. Linda Vecbiškena, Project Manager at the Ministry of Education and Science Department of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation.
ResearchLatvia facilitates interaction between various scientific fields and institutions, society and academia, business and culture, as well as national and global scientific communities. The ResearchLatvia portal highlights research achievements while promoting the international recognition of Latvia's science.
This interaction is an essential prerequisite for creating and implementing innovations in practice. To ensure society fully understands the importance of science, it is crucial to craft accessible and engaging narratives about research processes and results. For this reason, researchLatvia compiles and showcases the latest achievements, studies, and initiatives, thereby inspiring and attracting new talent, fostering investment in science, and strengthening Latvia's position in the European Research Area and globally.
From 2023 to 2029, the Ministry of Education and Science is implementing a significant project titled "More Efficient Implementation and Management of Latvia's Science Policy”.
“The goal is to modernize and enhance the efficiency of Latvia's science policy to promote faster and more dynamic growth in research and development,” emphasizes project manager Dr. sc. ing. L. Vecbiškena.
This project focuses on strengthening research and innovation management and analytical capabilities. It will enable better implementation and monitoring of Latvia’s Smart Specialization Strategy, which outlines national priorities in science and innovation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia. Strategic communication with stakeholders and society will enhance understanding of science's role and its contribution to everyday life.
The project implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science is a significant step toward positioning Latvia as a stronger center for science and innovation, fostering both the growth of research quality and its direct impact on societal development and economic growth.
Knowledge creates, surprises and drives Progress! Learn more about the latest in Latvia's science, research, and discoveries on the science communication portal researchlatvia.gov.lv, and follow researchLatvia on social media.
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The publicity article prepared within the project No. 1.1.1.1/1/24/I/001 “More Efficient Implementation and Management of Latvia's Science Policy”.
