Initiation of a National Community of Practice for Academic Staff in Latvia
On 29 April 2025, a national-level workshop titled "Establishment of a Community of Practice for Academic Staff in Latvia" was held at Kalnciema Quarter, Riga. The event brought together stakeholders from higher education and research institutions across the country, including representatives from the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) – Tenure Professor Baiba Rivža, Head of the Doctoral School Professor Natālija Sergejeva, and Associate Professor Līga Paula. The workshop was organized by the OECD Higher Education Policy Team, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia and the European Commission.
The initiative is part of an OECD and European Commission-supported project aimed at enhancing the academic career framework in Latvia. The project seeks to promote systemic reforms and foster closer cooperation between higher education and research institutions. Findings to date have highlighted that collaboration among academic personnel in Latvia primarily occurs through informal channels, indicating a need for more structured and sustainable mechanisms.
In response, the workshop presented a proposal to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) for academic staff – a formalized support and cooperation network intended to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and peer learning among academic professionals nationwide.
Participants discussed and evaluated potential collaboration models, defined the prospective objectives of the community, and assessed its benefit at the individual, institutional, and national levels. Particular emphasis was placed on the significance of interdisciplinary networking and inclusive collaboration among academic personnel, irrespective of their rank or specialization.
The workshop also addressed potential funding strategies and structural frameworks necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the community. Key thematic areas were identified in which the CoP could significantly contribute to the advancement of higher education and research in Latvia.
The concepts and proposals developed during the workshop will be consolidated, and the initiative is scheduled to be continued in early June 2025.
