Research on Research Careers

Strong and vibrant research communities do not happen by chance – they are built and sustained by the people, institutions, and infrastructures that make science possible. Our group brings together scholars who explore how research careers develop, thrive, and adapt in a changing world.

We examine the realities of research life:

• the resources and infrastructure that support it; 
• the pathways for career growth; 
• the role of mobility, collaboration, and social ties; 
• and intersectionality — the ways overlapping social identities and inequalities shape research careers;
• the ways research is evaluated.

Working with colleagues and partners in the Baltic region and beyond, we create opportunities to share experiences, compare perspectives, and envision better futures for the scientific workforce.

Co-ordinator

PhD Ieva Puzo

Acting Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences
Head of Unit, Social Sciences Research Centre
Lead Researcher, Faculty of Social Sciences

Group members

PhD Agrita Kiopa

Vice-Rector for Science
Chair of RSU Council of Science

Olga Cara

Acting Researcher

Lect. Diāna Kiščenko

Academic Staff, Faculty of Social Sciences
Researcher, Faculty of Social Sciences

Liene Ņikitina-Zaķe

Director, Research Department
Board Member, Alumni Association

Assoc. Prof. Dr. paed. Nora Jansone-Ratinika

Academic Staff, Centre for Educational Growth
Director, Centre for Educational Growth
Lead researcher, scientific project manager, Centre for Educational Growth

Anna Žabicka

Researcher, Faculty of Social Sciences

PhD Marina Kameņecka-Usova

Lead Researcher, Faculty of Social Sciences

marina.kamenecka-usova@rsu.lv

Group events

International Workshop: The Human Side of Professional Careers (22.01.2026.)

Seminar: 'Intersectionality in Research and Institutional Change' (23 October 2025)

International Workshop 'Research on Research Careers' (8 May 2025)

The Getaway Conference: Mobilities, Societies, the State, and Detoxing (10–11 October 2024)

Projects

Fostering inclusive biomedicine geps in research and higher education institutions (INCLUDE)

(R)E-TIES: Managing mobility and human relations in digitally saturated social worlds

Academic Staff Competence Model (COMPAC)

Mobilizing Science: Transnationally Mobile Researchers in Comparative Perspective