Field of Humanities
Scientists at the Faculty of Translation Studies (FoTS) of VUAS conduct research in the field of Humanities in accordance with VUAS’s strategic goals and study directions.
The main fields and foci of research at the FoTS are:
- Translation studies and translation theory and practice;
- Terminology, lexicography, and terminography;
- Digitalization solutions in the humanities
Main areas of research
Translation Studies and translation theory and practice
Research on the theoretical and practical aspects of translation processes, including the use of technology in translation.
Terminology, lexicography, and terminography
Research on terminology, including the diachronic and synchronic development, scientific practical projects involving work on the development of new terms, the creation of dictionaries, and the development of special terminology needed for both industry and academic purposes.
Digitalization solutions in the humanities
digitalization solutions and the use of technologies in the humanities, such as machine translation and post-editing, digital databases, computer-assisted translation tools, and digital learning platforms.
The main research directions of FoTS are of a pronouncedly applied nature, although each direction is also closely related to specific theoretical issues of comparative and contrastive linguistics, incl. translation theory, as well as to theoretical and practical aspects of applied linguistics. Importantly, research areas are closely related to the study programmes of the FoTS, thus ensuring dissemination of competences and inclusion of the research results in the study courses.
The number of FTS researchers’ publications indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and Erih Plus databases has increased in recent years, exceeding 20 publications. This is a significant number considering the small size of the faculty involved in the study field.
The research projects implemented by VUAS FoTS align with VUAS’s strategic goals, such as the modernization and digitalization of study offerings, as well as scientific excellence and the transfer of knowledge to the economy.
Student Involvement in Research
The research work and activities are organized through the full study cycle (bachelor-master-doctoral studies) and through the University-level research framework and national and international research projects which also define the research priorities. The doctoral programme “Language and Literature Studies”, the implementation of the new doctoral model and the presence of a Doctoral School also have a significant impact on the development of science at the FoTS.
FoTS students are involved in diverse scientific research focused on translatological, terminological, localization, literature/culture/cultural history etc. aspects, as well as modern language/translation technologies thus providing background for up-to-date research. Students participate in scientific conferences and are involved in international projects, including European Language Resource Initiatives and ERASMUS+, which promote exchange and understanding of cultural diversity.
A successful tradition is the interdisciplinary scientific conference ViA Scientiarum (2019 and 2021) organised by the FoTS (together with Liepaja University) and bringing together students, researchers, and faculty members to share their research results.
In 2019, FoTS also organized the international conference Bridging Languages and Cultures which also had another scientific product – a volume of papers published with a foreign publisher (Frank & Timme).
Students participate in the project Terminology without Borders. This is a project led by the Terminology Coordination Unit (TermCoord) of the Directorate-General for Translation of the European Parliament and involves several European universities with the engagement of both students and experts.
Events and Highlights





Collaboration and networks
FEM is engaged in various forms of academic cooperation at national and international levels:
- FEM participates in the ERASMUS+ program, offering mobility opportunities for both students and academic staff.
- VUAS is a member of the European University Alliance COLOURS, contributing to joint activities and academic initiatives. FEM has a significant role in coordination COLOURS activities in VUAS.
- FEM is involved in international and national research and partnership projects.
- In cooperation with Rezekne Academy of Technologies and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, FEM implements the joint doctoral study program “Economics and business” and is represented in Promotion Council.
- VUAS is a member of several professional and academic associations, supporting institutional collaboration.
- Students have the opportunity to complete internships at the national level through cooperation with several enterprises and institutions.
National collaboration
UNIVERSITIES
Organisation | Type of collaboration |
---|---|
Daugavpils University | Project " Digitalization Initiatives for Improving the Quality of Studies in the field of Strategic Specialization of Higher Education Institution" (DIGI) |
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) | Project " Digitalization Initiatives for Improving the Quality of Studies in the field of Strategic Specialization of Higher Education Institution" (DIGI) |
Liepaja University (LiepU) [from 01.03.2024 RTU Liepaja Academy] | Project “Elaboration of evidence-based solutions for effective professional competence development of adults and assessment of the transfer of its results into practice in Latvia” (VPP4) (2023 - 2026) |
Rezekne Academy of Technologies (RTA) | • The joint doctoral study program "Economics and business". • Activity in the Promotion Council. • Project "Digitalization Initiatives for Improving the Quality of Studies in the field of Strategic Specialization of Higher Education Institution" (DIGI) |
Turība University | Project " Digitalization Initiatives for Improving the Quality of Studies in the field of Strategic Specialization of Higher Education Institution" (DIGI) |
University of Latvia (UL) | • Agreement on student exchange at all levels of study (from 2018); • Project " Digitalization Initiatives for Improving the Quality of Studies in the field of Strategic Specialization of Higher Education Institution" (DIGI) • Project “Elaboration of evidence-based solutions for effective professional competence development of adults and assessment of the transfer of its results into practice in Latvia” (VPP4) (2023 - 2026) |
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) | • The joint doctoral study program "Economics and business". • Activity in the Promotion Council. |
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Organisation | Type of collaboration |
---|---|
Association of Latvian Large Cities | Cooperation with associations |
Green Tech Cluster | • Cooperation with associations • Internship opportunities for students |
Kuldīga Municipal Government | Internship opportunities for students |
Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) | Cooperation with associations |
The Confederation of Latvian Employers (LDDK) | Cooperation with associations |
Talsi Municipal Government | Internship opportunities for students |
Valmiera Development Agency | • Project " Vidzeme Innovation Program for Students" (VIPs) • Project "Next Generation Micro Cities of Europe” |
Valmiera Municipality | Project "Next Generation Micro Cities of Europe" |
Valmiera Vocational Education and Training Centre | Project "Next Generation Micro Cities of Europe" |
Ventspils City Municipality | Cooperation agreement |
Ventspils County Municipality | Internship opportunities for students |
Ventspils City Education Board | • Internship opportunities for students • Cooperation in education issues |
Ventspils Vocational Technical school | Project "Next Generation Micro Cities of Europe" |
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences Foundation | Project " Vidzeme Innovation Program for Students" (VIPs) |
ENTERPRISES
Organisation | Type of collaboration |
---|---|
JSC Development Finance Institution ALTUM department of Kurzeme region | Participation in the State Examinations Commission |
“Aspired” Ltd | Project “Next Generation Micro Cities of Europe" |
Baltijas Datoru Akadēmija (BDA), Ltd | Project " Digitalization Initiatives for Improving the Quality of Studies in the field of Strategic Specialization of Higher Education Institution" (DIGI) |
Baltic Logistic Solutions Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
“Bio Venta” Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
Business Support Centre | Internship opportunities for students |
“Bucher Municipal” Ltd | • Cooperation agreement about internships for FEM students. • Participation in the State Examinations Commission. • Scholarship for students. |
“Diana Sveces” Ltd | Internship opportunities for studentS |
Freeport of Ventspils | Internship opportunities for students |
"Hansamatrix Ventspils" Ltd | • Internships for students • Scholarship for students |
“IntelliTech” Ltd | Project "Next Generation Micro Cities of Europe" |
“Kurekss” Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
“Kurzemes Biznesa inkubators” Ltd | Project “Kurzeme Innovation Grants for Students” (KInGS) |
Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Center Ltd department of Ventspils | Participation in the State Examinations Commission |
LIAA Ventspils business incubator | Participation in the State Examinations Commission |
“Malmar Sheet Metal” Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
“PricewaterhouseCoopers” Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
“StenaLine” Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
JSC “Swedbank” | Internship opportunities for students |
"TechGym" Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
VHTP (Ventspils High Technology Park) | • Internship opportunities for students. • Participation in the State Examinations Commission. • Cooperation in projects. |
“Ventspils siltums”, Municipal limited liability company | Internship opportunities for students |
Olympic Centre “Ventspils” Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
Vitol Terminal Latvia (VTL) Ltd | • Internship opportunities for students • Guest lectures. |
"VNK serviss" Ltd | Internship opportunities for students |
JSC “Wasserkabel Baltic” | Internship opportunities for students |
“WeAreDots” Ltd | Project " Digitalization Initiatives for Improving the Quality of Studies in the field of Strategic Specialization of Higher Education Institution" (DIGI) |
International Collaboration
UNIVERSITIES
Organisation | Type of collaboration |
---|---|
Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (Germany) | Project “Enhancing development of entrepreneurial strategies at university locations affected by brain drain” (ENDORSE) (2022 - 2024) |
IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (Austria) | 1.Cooperation agreement - ERASMUS + 2. Project “Enhancing development of entrepreneurial strategies at university locations affected by brain drain” (ENDORSE) (2022 - 2024) |
Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa (Poland) | Project “COLLaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities” (COLOURS) |
Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek (Croatia) | Project “COLLaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities” (COLOURS) |
Kristianstad University (Sweden) | Project “COLLaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities” (COLOURS) |
Mittuniversitetet MID SWEDEN UNIVERSITY (Sweden) | Project “Enhancing development of entrepreneurial strategies at university locations affected by brain drain” (ENDORSE) (2022 - 2024) |
Paderborn University (Germany) | Project “COLLaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities” (COLOURS) |
Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences (Greece) | Project “Enhancing development of entrepreneurial strategies at university locations affected by brain drain” (ENDORSE) (2022 - 2024) |
University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) | Project “COLLaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities” (COLOURS) |
University of Ferrara (Italy) | Project “COLLaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities” (COLOURS) |
University of LeMans (France) | Project “COLLaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities” (COLOURS) |
University of LODZ (Poland) | Project “Enhancing development of entrepreneurial strategies at university locations affected by brain drain” (ENDORSE) (2022 - 2024) |
University St Kliment Ohridski Bitola (North Macedonia) | Project “COLLaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities” (COLOURS) |