Launch of the VPP "Education" project on the effectiveness of adult professional competence development and its impact on practice

December 25, 2023

On 22 December 2023, the University of Latvia, in cooperation with Liepaja University and Ventspils University of apllied sciences, launched the State Research Programme "Education" project No. VPP -IZM-Education-2023/4-0001 "Development of evidence-based solutions for the effective improvement of adult professional competence and assessment of the transfer of its results to practice in Latvia".


The aim of project No. VPP-IZM-Education-2023/4-0001 is to develop an evidence-based framework and practical solutions for the effective improvement of professional competence among adults, including teachers, and the transfer of its results into practice, by offering tools for assessing the impact of professional development on practice in Latvia.


By implementing a design-based research approach, the project aims to conduct a systematic study of the transfer of professional competence development to practice among adults, including teachers. By analyzing theoretical findings and international experience in relation to the Latvian context and needs, the main obstacles to effective professional competence development for adults will be identified, research tools used elsewhere in the world to measure the effectiveness of professional competence development will be examined, policy priorities and reforms that have been initiated will be analyzed, and the impact of the results of professional competence development for adults, including teachers, on practice in Latvia will be assessed. At the end of the study, an evidence-based framework will be developed for the effective professional competence development of adults, including teachers, and for transferring the results to practice, and validated practical solutions will be prepared for assessing the effectiveness of professional competence development at the organizational and system level in accordance with the Latvian context and education policy objectives.


The results of the study will be reported at least five international scientific conferences. To ensure targeted communication about the project's achievements, four articles will be submitted or accepted for publication and three articles will be published in Web of Science or Scopus indexed publications. By the end of the project, two master's theses are planned to be defended and one doctoral thesis submitted for defense. Two conferences will be organized on the project results at the midpoint and at the end of the project. Regular press releases, social media posts, and popular science articles will be used to inform the public about the progress of the project and the results achieved.



The research results will contribute to evidence-based decision-making on the promotion of adult including teachers, promoting the effectiveness of professional development and achieving strategic educational development goals, as well as generating new knowledge and practical solutions at the level of educational institutions, local governments and the state.


Project number: VPP-IZM-Education-2023/4-0001

Project implementation period: December 22, 2023 – December 21, 2026

Total project funding: EUR 730,000

Project partners: University of Latvia (LU), Liepaja University (LiepU) and Ventspils University of apllied sciences (VUAS).

Project scientific director: Svetlana Surikova, leading researcher at the Institute of Pedagogy, LU IZPF.

Project administrative manager: Laureta Buševica.

Scientific group: Dr. paed. Svetlana Surikova (LU), Dr. paed. Sanita Baranova (LU), Dr. paed. Gunta Siliņa-Jasjukeviča (LU), Dr. paed. Dita Nīmante (LU), Dr. psych. Aleksandrs Koļesovs (LU), Dr. paed. Maija Kokare (LU), PhD Dzintra Iliško (LU), master's student Inga Grigaļuna (LU), master's student Maija Vilnīte (LU), Dr. sc. administr. Inese Lūsēna-Ezera (LiepU), Dr. sc. administr. Una Libkovska (VUAS), Dr. sc. administr. Liene Resele (VUAS), Mg. sc. comp. Karina Šķirmante (VUAS), doctoral student Kate Zonberga (VUAS), doctoral student Zane Zonberga (VUAS).

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