Psychology Days 2026
The annual Psychology Days at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) will take place on 6 to 9 October, both in person and online. The central event of the programme is the interdisciplinary scientific conference Contemporary Psychology: People, Environment, Technologies.
RSU lecturers and researchers, together with international guest speakers, are exploring the interaction between people, the environment and technologies in psychology. The programme covers current topics in sports, military and environmental psychology, as well as spirituality, psychological support and self-help, neuropsychology, health and ageing. It also features contemporary approaches to data analysis and modelling in psychology, including network analysis and machine learning.
The programme also includes discussions, symposia and practical workshops focusing on psychological self-help, creativity and art as resources for well-being, the use of games and various methods in education and counselling, as well as issues related to professional ethics.
International Conference "Sport Psychology: From Research to Practice" | zoom | |
| Thematic Scientific Session: Presentations of Results from the National Research Programme and an International Research Project | ||
| 12.00–12.30 | Conference Opening Toms Pulmanis, Kalvis Ciekurs, Zane Gulbe, Signe Tomsone | |
| 12.30–14.00 | Presentations of the Results of the State Research Programme "Innovations, Methodologies and Recommendations for the Development and Governance of the Sports Sector in Latvia"
| Riga, 16 Dzirciema iela, Hippocrates Lecture hall and online LV |
| Presentations of the study “From Observation to Action: A Longitudinal and Cross-Cultural Perspective on Athletes’ Psychological Adaptation Throughout the Sports Season” Researcher Kristers Ansons | Riga, 16 Dzirciema iela, Hippocrates Lecture hall and online LV | |
| Break | ||
| 14.30–15.10 | The Vienna Test System: Assessing Psychophysiological Parameters in Sport. Lect. PhD Gundega Ulme, Researcher Kristers Ansons | Riga, 16 Dzirciema iela, Hippocrates Lecture hall and online LV |
| Break | ||
| 15.30–15.50 | From Profile to Action: Similarities and Differences in the Psychological Preparation of Olympic and Paralympic Athletes – A Literature Review and Comparative Case Analysis. Lect. PhD Gundega Ulme | Riga, 16 Dzirciema iela, Hippocrates Lecture hall and online LV |
| Break | ||
Guest lecture | ||
| 16.00–17.00 | Athlete Burnout: Recognition, Prevention, and Management. Prof. Daniel Madigan (UK) | Riga, 16 Dzirciema iela, Hippocrates Lecture hall and online EN |
Book launch: Private Practice in the Helping Professions: Legal Framework, Digital Communication, and Professional Ethics. Compiled by Zane Gulbe. Daiga Katrīna Bitēna, Ivans Jānis Mihailovs, Ēriks Treļs, Elīna Ieva Smule, Liesma Ose | ||
| 10.30–12.00 |  RSU has published the methodological guide Private Practice in the Helping Professions: Legal Framework, Digital Communication and Professional Ethics, compiled by Zane Gulbe. The publication is intended for professionals in the helping professions who are already working in private practice or considering establishing one. The guide brings together key legal and ethical aspects of private practice, professional identity and digital presence, responsible communication of professional services, as well as diversity and cultural competence. We invite representatives of professional associations, practitioners, lecturers, students and other interested parties to the launch of the publication, where, together with the authors, we will discuss contemporary approaches to building a legally sound and ethically responsible private practice. | Riga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, room B-202 LV |
| 12.00–12.30 | Opening of the RSU Psychology Programme’s 20th Anniversary Event – PsychologyRSU20 | |
Current Issues in Military Psychology (Section Head: Anita Zabavņikova) | zoom | |
| 13.00–13.50 |
| Riga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, room B-202 and online LV |
| In-person masterclass (Latvian only) | ||
| 14.30–17.30 | Experiential Learning Through an Ethical Dilemma Game Assist. Aelita Vagale The seminar will introduce an experiential learning approach using an ethical dilemma game. Participants will actively engage in simulated situations requiring decisions in complex professional ethics contexts, reflecting on values, boundaries and responsibility. The seminar will demonstrate the structure and format of the game, as well as principles for facilitating discussions. | Riga, 16 Dzirciema iela, Rehearsal room LV |
In-person masterclass (Latvian only) | ||
| 14.30–15.30 | Engaging Methods and a Play-Based Approach in Education, Counselling, and Group Work Zane Veinberga Games and methods in education, counselling and group work are an effective way to promote learning, collaboration and engagement. They create a safe environment where participants can experiment, solve problems and reflect on their experiences. Gamification approaches increase motivation, improve collaboration and deepen understanding, as learning takes place through active experience. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to try out several methods in practice and analyse their application. The workshop is suitable for professionals who wish to expand their methodological toolkit and make the learning process more dynamic and inspiring. | Riga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, room B-510 LV |
In-person masterclass (Latvian only) | ||
| 14.30–15.30 | How to Develop Psychological Self-Help Skills? Lāsma Poļikeviča Psychological self-help skills are becoming increasingly important in a world where the pace of everyday life, information overload and emotional fatigue affect both clients and helping professionals themselves. The workshop will explore how to develop the ability to recognise one’s emotional needs in a timely manner, regulate stress and use practical psychological techniques in everyday life. Participants will have the opportunity not only to learn about different approaches to psychological self-help, but also to practise various techniques, reflect on their application in professional and personal life, and discuss how to promote psychological literacy and self-care skills in modern society. | Riga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, room B-511 LV |
In-person masterclass (Latvian only) | ||
| 15.45–17.15 | Creativity as a Resource: Music and Art for Well-Being Lect. Jana Duhovska and PhD Elīna Akmane The masterclass is a joint activity organised by students and lecturers of the Music Therapy and Visual Arts Therapy specialisations within the Professional Master’s Study Programme “Art Therapy.” Participants will have the opportunity to take part in short creative activities and gain ideas on how music and art can be used in everyday life to promote well-being. | Riga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, A-705 LV |
| Environmental psychology Assist. prof. Dr. psych. Ingūna Griškeviča | zoom | |
GreenTouch: EcoMind Development for Higher Education Future | ||
| 9.00–9.10 | GreenTouch: EcoMind Development for Higher Education Future. Introduction to the project Junior Researcher Aija Ozola | Online EN |
| 9.10–9.25 | GreenTouch in global perspective Inga Dreimane | Online EN |
| 9.25–9.40 | Needs analysis study Angelos Kassianos/ Katerina Hadjipieri (Cyprus) | Online EN |
| 9.40–9.55 | Development of a nature-based digital tool Timotej Pliberšek, Marko Matko Ficko (Slovenia) | Online EN |
| 9.55–10.10 | Introduction to the GreenTouch digital tool Assist. prof. Dr. psych. Guna Svence | Online EN |
| Break | ||
Studies | ||
| 10.30–11.00 | From Global Ecopsychology to Inner Experience: Rethinking the Human–Nature Relationship in Times of Climate Crisis Kleio Apostolaki (Greece) | Online EN |
| 11.00–11.10 | Contact with Nature for Health and Well-Being Junior Researcher Aija Ozola | Online ENG |
| 11.10–11.20 | Stakeholders in Nature-Based Interventions in Healthcare Aivija Knīse-Repša, Agnese Ozoliņa-Tilgase | Online EN |
| Break | ||
Student Networking "Nature, Wellbeing and Climate Action" | ||
| 11.30–11.45 | Introduction | Online EN |
| 11.45–12.15 | Breakout Group Work: moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. psych. Guna Svence, Assoc. Prof. Dr. psych. Ingūna Griškeviča, Junior Researcher Aija Ozola | Online EN |
| 12.15–13.00 | Summary of group discussions | Online EN |
| Break | ||
Psychology in Practice | zoom | |
| 11.00–11.10 | Opening | |
| 11.10–12.00 | Shame – New Therapeutic Approaches Prof. Dr. rer. medic. Christian Stierle (Germany) | Rīga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, Hippocrates Lecture Theatre and online EN |
| 12.10–12.40 | Not Just a Mood: An Expanded Perspective on Women’s Psychological Well-Being After Childbirth Lect. Dr. psych. Ilona Krone | Rīga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, Hippocrates Lecture Theatre and online EN |
| Break | ||
| 13.00–13.50 | Longitudinal Studies on Developmental Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants Raquel Costa (Portugal) | Rīga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, Hippocrates Lecture Theatre and online EN |
| 14.00–14.50 | Perinatal Mental Health Tiago Miguel Pinto (Portugal) | Rīga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, Hippocrates Lecture Theatre and online EN |
| Break | ||
| 15.10–16.00 | Beyond Nature and Nurture: What Genetics Can Tell Us About Behavior PhD Ruben Fernandes (Portugāle) | Rīga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, Hippocrates Lecture Theatre and online EN |
| 16.00–16.50 | Facial expressions of emotion in the context of Medicine Daniela Mendes (Portugāle) | Rīga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, Hippocrates Lecture Theatre and online EN |
| 16.50–17.00 | Closing | Rīga, 16 Dzirciema ielā, Hippocrates Lecture Theatre and online EN |
Visiting associate professor’s Lecture | zoom | |
| 10.00–10.45 | The Human Premium in the Age of AI: Capability, Leadership, and Competitive Advantage in an AI-Mediated World Prof. PhD Ilona Boniwell (France) | |
Spirituality in Psychology – Growth and Transformation of Consciousness | zoom | |
| 11.00–11.30 | The Relationship Between Spirituality / Religiosity and Mental Health: Results of Empirical Studies Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Ingrīda Trups-Kalne | Online LV |
| 11.30–11.50 | Spirituality-Focused Interventions in a Sample of Oncology Patients Lect. Daiga Katrīna Bitēna | Online LV |
| 11.50–12.10 | What Changes When We Learn About Consciousness? Participants’ Experiences in the Experimental Research-Based Continuing Education Programme “Postmaterialism, Consciousness and Spiritual Self-Transformation: Towards a New Paradigm” Assist. Gitāna Dāvidsone | Online LV |
| 12.10–12.30 | The Role of Spirituality in the Transformation of Professional Practice in the Helping Professions Inguna Rubene | Online LV |
| Break | ||
| 13.20–13.40 | The Relationship Between Spirituality, Resilience and Stress Symptoms in a Sample of Bereaved Women Following the Death of a Close Person Alda Brante | Online LV |
| 13.40–14.00 | The Relationship Between Spirituality and Religiosity, Self-Compassion and Psychological Well-Being in a Sample of Latvian Women Aged 45–55 Kristīne Zavele | Online LV |
| 14.00–14.20 | Spiritual Self-Help Strategies for Patients with Chronic Diseases in Latvia Māra Lasmane | Online LV |
| 14.30–15.00 | Mind Beyond the Brain Prof. PhD Dr. med. Alexander Moreira-Almeida (Brazil) | Online LV |
DISA-LNT Consortium Symposium: Digital Innovation and Care Perspectives for Schizophrenia | zoom | |
| 10.00–10.15 | Artificial Intelligence Applications for Schizophrenia Assessment within the DISA-LNT Project Eduardo Barros (Portugal) | Rīgā, Konsula ielā 21, 110., and online EN |
| 10.15–10.30 | The VERYSA Application: A Digital Solution for Innovative Schizophrenia Care and Support Renate Morais and Fabiano Morais (Australia) | Rīgā, Konsula ielā 21, 110., and online EN |
| 10.30–11.45 | National perspectives on Schizophrenia care | |
| Dr. med. Vineta Viktorija Zaikovska (Latvia) | Rīgā, Konsula ielā 21, 110., and online EN | |
| Prof. Dr. Pawel Mierzejewski (Poland) | Rīgā, Konsula ielā 21, 110., and online EN | |
| PhD Alessia Avila (Portugal) | Rīgā, Konsula ielā 21, 110., and online EN | |
| 11.45–12.00 | Discussion | Rīgā, Konsula ielā 21, 110., and online EN |
| Psychological Assessment: Innovations and Future Perspectives Section Head: Assoc. Prof., Dr. psych. Lead Researcher Jeļena Koļesņikova | zoom | |
| 9.30–9.45 | Development of New Computer-Based Assessment Methods for Measuring Adolescent Mental Health Lead Researcher Ingars Steiks; Assist. prof. Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Viktorija Perepjolkina; Assoc. Prof., Dr. psych. Lead Researcher Jeļena Koļesņikova; Lect. Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Ilona Krone; Assoc. Prof. PhD, Dr. med, Researcher Ņikita Bezborodovs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. med., Lead Researcher Ainārs Stepens | Online LV |
| 9.45–10.00 | Psychometric Properties and Clinical Applications of a Personality Assessment Instrument for Adolescents Linda Nauzere; Assist. prof. Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Viktorija Perepjolkina; Assoc. Prof., Dr. psych. Lead Researcher Jeļena Koļesņikova; Lect. Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Ilona Krone; Assist. prof. PhD, Researcher Dr. Ņikita Bezborodovs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Med., Lead Researcher Ainārs Stepens | Online LV |
| 10.00–10.15 | Validation of the Clinical Scales of a Screening Instrument for Symptoms of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Adolescents Lect. Zane Gulbe; Assist. prof. Dr. Psych., Lead Researcher Viktorija Perepjolkina; Assoc. Prof. Dr. psych. Lead Researcher Jeļena Koļesņikova; Lect. Dr. Psych., Lead Researcher Ilona Krone; Assoc. Prof. PhD, Dr. med, Researcher Ņikita Bezborodovs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. med., Lead Researcher Ainārs Stepens | Online LV |
| 10.15–10.30 | Rationale and Challenges in the Development of the Latvian Clinical Personality Test Assist. Laura Pētersone; Assoc. Prof., Dr. psych. Lead Researcher Jeļena Koļesņikova; Assist. prof. Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Viktorija Perepjolkina | Online LV |
| 10.30–10.40 | RSU Psychology Laboratory: Test and Questionnaire Registry Ingrīda Trups-Kalne | Online LV |
| 10.40–10.55 | Interim Results of the RedCap Project Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Ingrīda Trups-Kalne; Assist. prof. Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Viktorija Perepjolkina; Linda Nauzere; Lect. Zane Gulbe; Assoc. Prof., Lead Researcher Andrejs Ivanovs; Prof. Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Kristīne Mārtinsone; Assist. prof. PhD, Lead Researcher Katrīna Volgemute; Assoc. Prof., Dr. psych. Lead Researcher Jeļena Koļesņikova | Online LV |
| Break | ||
Psychology in the Digital Age | zoom | |
| 10.00–10.15 | AI Implementation Solutions at RSU Linda Alksne, RSU AI Support Unit | Online EN |
| 10.15–11.15 | AI in Academic Research Prof. Michael Zyphur, Instats (Australia) This presentation addresses the gap between widespread AI adoption in academic research and the lack of practical institutional guidance. While most university policies treat AI strictly as a writing-honesty or plagiarism issue, the talk frames AI as a research tool evaluated on validity, rigor, and reproducibility. It establishes a clear boundary between tasks AI can assist with and core scholarly decisions that require human accountability. Practical habits for mitigating AI failure modes, such as verifying references and testing prompt stability, are outlined alongside frameworks developed at Instats to help researchers and institutions assess and improve their AI readiness. | Online EN |
| 11.15–12.00 | Discussion: “Can AI Be the New Benefit in the Employee Benefits Package?” Dr. med., Lead Researcher Linda Matisāne, Junior Researcher Valentīna Krūmiņa, partner at the recruitment agency Talentor Latvia Gunita Smirnova | Online LV |
| 12.00–12.30 | Personalized Feedback to Promote Self-Reflection When Evaluating Information Online (FLPP project: Development and Testing of Metacognitive Interventions to Reduce Engagement with Misleading Information) Lecturer, PhD Mārtiņš Priedols (University of Latvia) | Online LV |
| 12.30–12.45 | Digital Competence for Psychologists Aija Blūzmane | Online LV |
| 12.45–13.00 | Global Digital Trends and Challenges: Reflections on the 2026 APA Convention Junior Researcher Linda Nauzere | Online LV |
| 13.00–13.15 | Artificial Intelligence in Reddit Discourse on Mental Health: A Literature Review with a Narrowly Defined Analytical and Conversational Scope Aleksandra Karlīna Mārtinsone | Online LV |
| Break | ||
Neural Signatures of Cognitive Function and Dysfunction Across Populations* | zoom | |
| 13.00–13.15 | Linking Cognitive Reserve to Neural Function in Aging: Insights from P300 ERP Lect. Junior Researcher Agnese Ušacka | Online EN |
| 13.15–13.30 | Noninvasive brain modulation, personalization and application for aging Prof. PhD Inga Griškova-Bulanova (Lithuania) | Online EN |
| 13.30–13.45 | Neurofeedback for Elderly Subjects Aurimas Mockevičius (Lithuania) | Online EN |
| 13.45–14.00 | Semantic Memory and Semantic Networks in Healthy and Pathological Aging Assist. Prof. PhD, Lead Researcher Kristīne Šneidere-Pītersa | Online EN |
| 14.00–14.15 | Spontaneous Visuo-Spatial Perspective-taking in Autism Spectrum Condition Ritums Celms | Online EN |
| Break | ||
| ** From Community Screening to Neuroimaging: Training for Early Detection of Cognitive Decline in Baltic–German Collaboration | ||
Contemporary Approaches to Data Analysis and Modelling | zoom | |
| 15.00–15.20 | Application of Network Analysis in Test Development Assist. prof. Dr. psych., Lead Researcher Viktorija Perepjolkina | Online LV |
| 15.20–15.40 | The PLS-C Approach to the Analysis of Covariation Between Cognitive Indicators and Structural Brain Parameters Assist. Prof. PhD, Lead Researcher Kristīne Šneidere-Pītersa | Online LV |
| 15.40–16.00 | Use of Classification Machine Learning Algorithms to Model Life Satisfaction in Young Adults Elīna Elīze Surgunte | Online LV |
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