Research fellows

Dr. Ieva Birka received her PhD in Political Science from the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Latvia.  Currently, at the Centre for Diaspora and Migration Research, she is working on her post-doctoral research project “Harnessing the Economic Potential of the Diaspora” Nr. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/013 with Post-doctoral Research Aid funding.  The aim of the project is to establish the best practices in diaspora engagement from around the world, while paying special attention to the use of information and communication technologies in diaspora engagement, in the creation of diaspora networks, and in promoting economic growth.  The project has three international cooperation partners – the Migration Policy Institute in the USA, the Hugo Centre for Migration and Population Research at the University of Adelaide in Australia, and the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis at Maynooth University in Ireland.  Ieva Birka is the author and co-author of several publications in English and Latvian focusing on issues of social integration, feelings of belonging, dual citizenship, and diaspora.

Ieva Birka - CV

Dr. Aija Lulle is a researcher at the Centre for Diaspora and Migration Research, University of Latvia. She is the former director of the Center, an author of number of international publications and collaborates with partners from Finland, the UK, Sweden and other countries on research related to migration, transnationalism and social inequalities. Her current interests are related to political representation of diaspora, lives of transnational families, especially through broader notions of citizenship as it relates to ageing and through the histories of Latvia and its relationship with the EU.

Elza Ungure has graduated Cultural and Social Anthropology bachelor’s study programme at University of Latvia and is continuing studies on master’s level. In 2012 and 2013 Elza Ungure participated in a collaborative study by University of Latvia, Department of Anthropology and Association of Latvian Commercial Banks on financial literacy in Latvia. During the first stage of the study financial literacy of youth was analysed but during the second stage focus was on households. Main research interests: informal economy; protest and resistance; environmental perception; human ecology; memory, landscape, and materiality; heritage politics; food and drinks in anthropological perspective.

Elza Ungure - CV

Dr. Evija Klave has worked as sociologist and policy analyst taking part in a wide range of sociological studies and policy analysis projects, both Latvian and international since 1998. Her fields of expertise are ethnic studies, society integration, education policy, language use and knowledge, especially in the perspective of discourse analysis. Her current academic interests cover issues of national identity, intra-European migration processes and diaspora policy.

 Evija Klave - CV

Dr. Gunda Reire is Managing Director of the Center for International Studies, she holds the position of Visiting Lecturer in diplomacy studies at the University of Latvia and the Riga Graduate School of Law. Combining both academic and practical spheres of politics, she has served as Deputy Chairperson of the Strategic Analysis Commission under the Auspices of the President of Latvia, Chief of Staff of the Speaker’s Office and Adviser to several ministers. Her core research interests include multilateral international cooperation, global politics on the United Nations, geopolitics and global peace and security. She is the scientific editor of several volumes of research papers and the author of scientific publications on Latvia’s foreign policy and maintenance of international peace and security. G. Reire is a co-author of the research “Political representation of diaspora in the EU and Latvia: parliamentary dimension” carried out in the Centre for Diaspora and Migration
Research, University of Latvia.

 Gunda Reire - CV

Dr. paed., Liesma Ose is Social Pedagogy professor at the Latvian Christian Academy, Liesma Ose serves as an adviser to the Minister of Education and Science of Latvia on social cohesion matters. She also has rich experience in social inclusion policy development and implementation, having worked both with the state authorities responsible for welfare and integration and the NGO sector. Currently she acts as a vice – president of Council of UNESCO International Institute of Education. As a researcher, she participates in the Network of experts on the social dimension of education of training (NESET II), supported by the European Commission.  Dr. Ose is an author and researcher; she has published several books and research papers on education, social pedagogy, and social policy. Her current scientific interest lies in the realm of intersection between education policy and pedagogy, diversity and migration studies and she aims to foster intercultural competence among teaching professionals: Pedagogy of Trust is the concept in process Dr. Ose is working right now.

 Liesma Ose - CV

Dr. Ieva Margevica-Grinberga is a leading researcher at the Centre for Diaspora and Migration Research, University of Latvia and docent at the Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology and Art. She is an author of international publications about plurilingual and intercultural competence, and about educational programs to tackle social exclusion. She collaborates with partners from Spain, Argentina, Brazil and U.S. on research related to teacher training, social inclusion, intercultural communication and education.
Dr Ieva Margeviča-Grinberga has worked with long time ill pupils with special needs for over twelve years. She taught Latvian as second language at Centre of Sustained Diseased Children for thirteen years. Her current interests are related to foreign and second language acquisition and educational treatment of diversity.

 Ieva Margevica-Grinberga - CV

MA Laura Buzinska has received BA degree in the University of Latvia and MA degree in science of education at program "Educational Treatment of Diversity". She has studied in Madrid at UNED during Erasmus exchange where she made research about teachers' values and attitudes towards diversity and inclusive education. She has deepened her knowledge in Budapest (ELTE) in the program Intercultural Psychology and Education. Fields of interest include intercultural communication, development cooperation, migrant children education, migration politics, diversity and inclusion.

Laura Buzinska - CV