On December 22, 2023, the University of Latvia, in cooperation with the University of Liepāja and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, launched the State Research Program "Education" project No. VPP-IZM-Izglītība-2023/4-0001 "Development of evidence-based solutions for the effective improvement of professional competence of adults and the transfer of its results to practice in Latvia".

Project No. VPP-IZM-Izglītība-2023/4-0001 aims to develop an evidence-based framework and practical solutions for effective professional development of adults, including teachers, and its transfer to practice by providing tools to assess the impact of professional development on practice in Latvia.

By implementing a design-based research approach, the project aims to carry out a systematic study of the transfer of professional competence development of adults, including teachers, to practice. By analysing theoretical knowledge and international experience in relation to the Latvian context and needs, the main barriers to effective professional competence development of adults will be identified, instruments used elsewhere in the world to measure the effectiveness of professional competence development will be studied, policy priorities and ongoing reforms will be analysed, and an assessment of the impact of professional competence development outcomes for adults, including teachers, on practice in Latvia will be carried out. The study will conclude with the development of an evidence-based framework for effective professional competence development of adults, including teachers, and the transfer of its results to practice, validated practical solutions for assessing the effectiveness of professional competence development at the organisational and system level in line with the Latvian context and education policy objectives.

The results of the study will be presented at at least five international scientific conferences. To ensure targeted communication of the project achievements, four articles will be submitted or accepted for publication and three articles will be published in Web of Science or Scopus indexed journals. It is planned that by the end of the project, two Master's theses will be defended and one PhD thesis will be submitted for defence. Two conferences will be organised on the results of the project at the middle and at the end of the project. Regular press releases, social media publications and popular science articles will be used to inform the public about the progress and results of the project.

The results of the research will contribute to evidence-based decision-making on promoting the effectiveness of professional development of adults, including teachers, and the achievement of strategic educational development goals, as well as generate new knowledge and workable solutions at the educational institution, local and national levels.

Project's No: VPP-IZM-Izglītība-2023/4-0001

Project's duration:  December 22, 2023 – December 21, 2026

Project's total budget: 730 000 EUR

Project's partners: University of Latvia (UL), Liepaja University (LiepU), Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS).

Project's scientific manager:  UL FESP SIP leading researcher Svetlana Surikova.

Project's administrative manager: Laureta Buševica.

Scientific group: Dr. paed. Svetlana Surikova (UL), Dr. paed. Sanita Baranova (UL), Dr. paed. Gunta Siliņa-Jasjukeviča (UL), Dr. paed. Dita Nīmante (UL), Dr. psych. Aleksandrs Koļesovs (UL), Dr. paed. Maija Kokare (UL), PhD Dzintra Iliško (UL), MA student Inga Grigaļuna (UL), MA student Maija Vilnīte (ULU), 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), PhD student Kate Zonberga (VUAS), PhD student Zane Zonberga (VUAS).