From knowledge to impact: conference “Cultural Research for Our Future Choices” will highlight the contribution of humanities and arts to society and science
On September 9 and 10, 2026, Riga will host "Cultural Research for Our Future Choices" – the final conference of the project “Cultural and creative ecosystem of Latvia as a resource of resilience and sustainability” / CERS, funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia. Over the course of two days, the event will gather key stakeholders from across the cultural spectrum, including sector professionals, policymakers, researchers, students, and cultural enthusiasts. The conference will highlight how the project's insights and practical solutions are shaping contemporary culture, art, cultural policy, and broader society in Latvia. The event is organized by the Latvian Academy of Culture (lead partner) alongside the National Library of Latvia, the Art Academy of Latvia, the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, and the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia.
Programme
“At a time when the societal impact of research and its ability to address complex challenges are under increasing scrutiny, the final conference of the project will offer more than just a summary of scientific findings,” explains Prof. Anda Laķe, Vice-Rector for Research at the Latvian Academy of Culture. “It will provide a window into the research process itself—showing how scientists identify key issues, build arguments to support new insights, and translate research into meaningful policy and action. We will demonstrate that cultural and arts researchers do not work in isolation. Instead, they operate in close partnership with the public, cultural organizations across the public and private sectors, artists, national and local policymakers, media, and other key partners. We will explore how this co-creation of knowledge helps society navigate major shifts driven by technological innovation and security concerns, while examining how new insights reverberate throughout cultural and artistic practices. Finally, the conference will provide a space for critical reflection, helping us pinpoint critical knowledge gaps in Latvia’s current cultural landscape.”
The conference opens on September 9 at the National Library of Latvia (Mūkusalas Street 3) and will be streamed live on LSM.lv. The opening session will explore how national research programmes serve as essential funding mechanisms and research ecosystems, generating vital insights and practical solutions for Latvia's policymakers and economy. Researchers will present key findings and actionable recommendations distilled into 11 policy briefs addressing critical priority areas defined by the Ministry of Culture. Panel discussions throughout the day will bring together researchers and decision-makers to examine these recommendations in detail. Key topics include municipal and state cooperation in expanding access to cultural services across regions, digital culture consumption and heritage accessibility, working conditions for artists and creative professionals, the challenges of artificial intelligence, and culture's economic impact. The day will also feature the opening of a traveling exhibition highlighting key research outcomes from each participating institution.
The second day, September 10, will be held at Gara māja (Miera Street 58a), focusing on academic achievements and their long-term contribution to scholarly research. The programme features presentations of collective and individual monographs produced during the project, alongside panels on research in art, music, cultural heritage, archives, and library collections. Highlights also include presentations by doctoral candidates and discussions with students involved in the research. Day two will showcase not only the project's academic output, but also how it has helped cultivate the next generation of scholars in the humanities and arts.
The project “Cultural and creative ecosystem of Latvia as a resource of resilience and sustainability” / CERS (No. VPP-MM-LKRVA-2023/1-0001) is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia in the framework of the State Research Programme “Latvian Culture – a Resource for National Development” (2023–2026). The State Research Programme is administered by the Latvian Council of Science.
More about the project CERS: https://lka.edu.lv/lv/petnieciba/petijumu-projekti/valsts-petijumu-programmas/cers/
