Opening the black box of research careers: international workshop at RSU

On 8 May, the Rīga Stradiņs University (RSU) Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC), in collaboration with the Center for Organization Research and Design (CORD) at Arizona State University, hosted an international workshop dedicated to one of academia’s most pressing challenges — research careers.

Why now?

The global research ecosystem is facing unprecedented pressures. The prestige of science is being questioned by competing discourses, and institutions must rethink how they support the individuals responsible for producing knowledge. This workshop provided a platform for leading researchers, analysts, and decision-makers to dissect what constitutes a successful, sustainable, and meaningful research career today.

A gathering of minds

The event brought together an outstanding line-up of scholars who shared diverse insights into the realities of academic careers.

Head of RSU SSRC Ieva Puzo emphasised the importance of the discussion, stating:

'It is a pleasure and honour to welcome such a fantastic group of scholars at RSU to discuss a topic that affects each and every one of us working at higher education and research institutions.'

Julia Melkers, Director of CORD, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that science is ultimately shaped by people:

This event brings attention to the fact that science is done by human beings— the environment in which they work, how they work, and how they relate to their work matters. As we strive for new horizons in science and innovations, we have to keep in mind that it is people — our colleagues locally and globally — that make it all possible.

Key discussions and insights

The workshop featured thought-provoking discussions that explored the dynamics shaping research careers. Among the highlights:

• Chance plays a bigger role in shaping careers than we often acknowledge — Artjoms Ivļevs explored this theme;
• Ieva Puzo mapped the ways researchers navigate institutional constraints and personal career paths;
• Inta Mieriņa explored how diasporas facilitate academic growth and exchange;
• Kaspars Bērziņš provided insights on integrating foreign and domestic PhD students into local scientific communities;
• Richard Woolley argued that science should be guided by public values, not just internal academic metrics;
• Julia Melkers presented the latest data on knowledge co-production;
• Aija Lulle emphasized the importance of embracing failure and creating space for it in academia;
• Diāna Kiščenko examined how to embed research values into daily practice;
• Olga Cara shared her research on apprenticeship models in academia;
• Antra Boča gave a voice to the early-career researcher perspective and advocacy in Latvia;
• Miķelis Grīviņš called for a broader definition and measurement of research impact beyond publications;
• Peter Kolarz questioned how we evaluate research careers in the first place.

The message is clear

Research on research careers is more than just an academic exercise — it is a field of study in its own right. If we want to support researchers effectively, we must understand how careers evolve across disciplines, institutional systems, and life stages. And most importantly, for science to remain evidence-based and impactful, we must prioritize the well-being of the people behind the research.

RSU continues to champion this conversation — ensuring that the future of research careers remains as dynamic and innovative as the science itself.