RSU improves Social Anthropology master’s study programme, strengthening research and interdisciplinarity

On 22 July, the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Faculty of Social Sciences hosted a visit by experts to evaluate the improvements to the content and structure of the Social Anthropology second-cycle academic master’s study programme.

The visit was organised by the Quality Agency for Higher Education (AIKA) of the Academic Information Centre in collaboration with the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences and the Study Quality Department. The programme improvements were evaluated by an expert, Prof. Aija Zobena of the University of Latvia, with the participation of AIKA Coordinator Anna Holberga.

Improvements to the master’s study programme evaluated

During the day, the expert met with RSU management, the programme directors and teaching staff, students, as well as employers and industry representatives. The professional sector was represented in the discussions by social anthropologist Agnese Cimdiņa from PwC Latvia, Mārtiņš Vargulis from the analytics and consultancy group PowerHouse Latvia, and Marta Kāle, HR Director at AS Madara Cosmetics.

During the visit, discussions focused on the programme’s development objectives, the content and structure of the new curriculum, the teaching of research methods, the student experience and opportunities for graduates’ professional development.

Lelde Metla-Rozentāle, Director and Programme Group Leader of the International Relations and Diplomacy programme and Head of the Sociology, Political Science and Anthropology study field, emphasises:

‘The further development of the programme is a targeted endeavour that enables us to preserve the theoretical and methodological depth of social anthropology while providing students with the opportunity to analyse the most pressing changes in contemporary society.

The updated programme will be even more interdisciplinary, research-based and closely aligned with international academic trends, the needs of Latvian society and the labour market, in accordance with the RSU strategic vision.’

Study content updated and new courses introduced

As part of the redevelopment of the Social Anthropology master’s study programme, 11 courses have had their titles changed, their content updated or their delivery format restructured. Three new courses have also been added to the programme curriculum: Digital Anthropology: Information, Memory and Culture; Anthropology of Institutional Systems: Vulnerability and Adaptation; and Academic Literacy and Ethics. Courses with related themes have been grouped together, while the teaching of research methods has been reorganised to systematically prepare students for ethnographic fieldwork, independent research and the development of their master’s thesis.

Teaching staff, researchers and industry representatives involved in improving the programme

The redevelopment of the programme was carried out from November 2025 to April 2026, involving RSU teaching staff, researchers, industry experts and graduates. At the end of the visit, the expert presented the initial conclusions to RSU representatives, while the final report is expected by the end of August.