The scientific institution (SI) of the University of Applied Sciences “Luther Academy” is a private legal entity registered in the Register of Scientific Institutions of the Republic of Latvia on 8 December 2024 — a higher education institution that is autonomous in its academic and scientific activities and has the right of self-governance.
The SI operates in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, the Education Law, the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, the Scientific Activity Law, and other relevant regulatory enactments, as well as the Constitution of Luther Academy (LA) and the Regulations of the Scientific Institution.
ZI nolikums
ZI reģistrācijas apliecība
The purpose of the SI is to contribute to the implementation of the development strategy of LA in order to achieve internationally recognized research results in the field of theology, ensure research-based studies, and enhance the scientific qualifications of the staff, thereby promoting the traditions of Lutheran theology and contributing to the preservation of the spiritual values of Latvian society.Tasks of the SI:
1. To conduct scientific research in accordance with its operational goals, the Luther Academy (LA) approved strategy, and the main directions of research activity:
- General and Latvian Church History,
- Systematic Theology,
- Biblical and Exegetical Theology,
- Practical Theology.
2. To promote cooperation with other higher education, research, and artistic institutions, as well as with governmental, non-governmental, business, and municipal organizations and their representatives, thus fostering the unity of science, artistic creativity, and higher education.3. To maintain contacts with the Latvian Academy of Sciences, the Latvian Council of Science, and other research and artistic institutions in Latvia and abroad.
4. To carry out scientific expertise within the competence of the field of theology.
5. To review scientific articles, monographs, research project proposals, and doctoral dissertations; to promote and coordinate the scientific research and creative activities of academic staff and students; to support authors in publishing research results in peer-reviewed journals indexed in Web of Science, SCOPUS, ERIH+, and other international scientific databases, with particular encouragement for publications in journals ranked in Q1 and Q2 impact categories.
6. To publish scientific periodicals.
7. To participate in the organization of scientific conferences and other academic events.
8. To promote the preparation of project proposals for international and national research competitions and to participate in research projects as a coordinator or partner.
9. To ensure the visibility and dissemination of the results of the Scientific Institution’s activities.
SI Personnel
- 3 Leading Researchers: Dr. Guntis Kalme, Dr. TörnBjörn Johansson, Dr. Daniel Johansson
- 5 Researchers: Dr. Uģis Sildegs, Dr. Kristīna Ēce, Dr. Juris Rubenis, Mg. Gints Graudiņš, Dr. Timo Laato
International Evaluation of the Research Institute in 2025:
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April 30, 2025 – Submission of the self-assessment report.
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October 20–24, 2025 – Visit of the International Expert Commission to Luther Academy.
The Research Institute was evaluated according to six main criteria:
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Quality of research;
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Impact on the scientific field;
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Economic impact;
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Social impact;
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Research environment and infrastructure;
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Development potential.
