84th International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia

The Plenary Session “Shaping the Innovation Ecosystem” brings a systemic and strategic dimension, focusing on the broader structures, enablers, and interactions required to support sustainable innovation capacity, knowledge transfer, and ecosystem resilience.

By bridging scientific excellence with industrial relevance and ecosystem-level thinking, the section aims to inspire new partnerships, stimulate investment-ready research directions, and contribute to strengthening Latvia’s innovation capacity for global competitiveness and export growth. It welcomes all participants interested in advancing science-driven innovation for economic, societal, and technological impact.

Format: on-site

Presentations: only key note speakers

Time: 11.00 - 12.30

Location: House of Science, 110. aud. ALFA

The session “Emerging Science: Shaping Tomorrow’s Technologies” offers a forward-looking forum for University of Latvia researchers to present innovative ideas, prototypes, and technological developments with significant potential for industry uptake in the near future. Designed to bridge exploratory research with future market needs, the session highlights developments that can spark new collaborations, guide investment decisions, and support Latvia’s long-term innovation and competitiveness priorities.

Presentations are encouraged across all fields connected to Latvia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, including:

• the knowledge-intensive bioeconomy;

• biomedicine, medical technologies, and bio-pharmacy;

• smart materials, technologies, and engineering systems;

• smart energy and mobility;

• information and communication technologies.

Contributions that explore cross-sector synergies or propose interdisciplinary approaches to emerging technological challenges are especially welcome.

A distinctive element of this session is its collaborative presentation format. Scientists are invited to jointly present with industry representatives, offering complementary perspectives on the future potential and application of emerging research. These joint presentations will provide insights into how cutting-edge scientific developments can evolve into products, services, and solutions with market relevance, as well as identify promising directions for new partnerships and joint innovation initiatives.

Researchers are encouraged to introduce emerging concepts, proof-of-principle solutions, analytical methods, experimental breakthroughs, or novel technological platforms that address sectoral challenges or open new pathways for value creation.

The session aims to showcase the diversity and forward vision of scientific ideas developing within the University of Latvia, stimulate dialogue between academia and industry, and support the early identification of research with strong innovation and market potential.

Target audience: researchers, entrepreneurs, industry representatives, investors, students, policymakers, and all stakeholders interested in exploring how today’s scientific advances can transform into tomorrow’s technologies.

Format: on-site

Type of presentations: oral and poster presentations

Time: 13.00 - 14.30

Location: House of Science, 401. aud.

The session “From Lab to Life: Industry-Driven Innovation” serves as a dynamic meeting point for researchers and industry partners to showcase how scientific ideas developed at the University of Latvia have successfully transitioned from laboratory concepts into real-world solutions.

Focusing on collaborative projects completed within the last three years, the session highlights innovations co-created through active partnerships between university research teams and companies from diverse sectors. Presentations are invited from all academic disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Interdisciplinary innovations—where multiple fields converge to address complex challenges—are particularly encouraged.

A distinctive feature of this session is its joint presentation format: each talk is delivered by a research representative together with their industry partner, demonstrating the collaboration in practice. This dialog-based approach will allow both perspectives—the scientific and the entrepreneurial—to be shared, revealing the full trajectory of innovation from initial research idea to societal and market impact.

The session will provide insights into the innovation journey: from problem identification and research breakthroughs to technology transfer, product development, and market implementation.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• new materials and technologies;

• biotech and life-science solutions;

• ICT and digital innovations;

• environmental and sustainability-oriented advancements;

• novel approaches in social, cultural, or educational contexts.

The goal is to illuminate successful models of collaboration, highlight lessons learned, and inspire future partnerships that strengthen Latvia’s innovation ecosystem.

Target audience: researchers, industry and company representatives, students, policymakers, and all stakeholders interested in how university-based research can drive industrial competitiveness, societal progress, and sustainable development.

Format: on-site

Presentation forms: oral and poster presentations

Time: 15.00 - 16.30

Location: House of Science, 401. aud.