Research directions: INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

The research direction "Inclusivity and Diversity in Higher Education," conducted within the domain of social sciences, examines equitable access, representation of disadvantaged groups, and the impact of institutional policies on underrepresented groups of the population.

This research explores how factors such as special needs, culture, socioeconomic status, and gender shape student experience and academic outcomes. Additionally, the research evaluates the effectiveness of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including affirmative action and inclusive teaching practices. Intersectionality is addreessed by analyzing how overlapping identities affect academic experiences. These efforts aim to identify barriers and develop strategies for creating more equitable and inclusive educational environments.

The activities conducted within the framework of this research direction align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 “Quality education” and SDG 10 “Reduced inequalities”.

RESEARCH TEAM:

Research coordinator: Dr. psych. Kristīne Užule, Researcher, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

She is an expert of Latvian Council for Science in two areas – economics, management, and educational sciences Her research publications include entrepreneurship, management, digitalization and competences. She has participated in European research projects on digital and green competences. She is a member of the Center of Human Resources Management, editorial board of European Marketing and Management Association (EUMMAS), and etECH conference organising committee.

E-mail: kristine.uzule@eka.edu.lv

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2633-6069

LinkedIn profile

Researchers

Dr. oec. Aija Sannikova, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1364-4035
Dr. phil. Velga Vēvere, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9752-5353
Dr. oec. Jelena Titko, Professor, Researcher, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941
Dr. oec. Inga Shina, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-6383
Ph.D. Mijalche Santa, Associate Professor, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (North Macedonia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0455-5498
Ph.D. Aleksandra Karovska Ristovska, Professor, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (North Macedonia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8570-8969
Dr. oec. Jevgenija Dehtjare, Researcher, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6859-2327
Dr. oec. Vita Zariņa, Researcher, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5580-6114
Dr. oec. Kaspars Šteinbergs. Researcher, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1506-128X
Dr. oec. Ilona Lejniece, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6402-5141
Ph.D. cand. Nataļja Verina, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2106-8314
Edgars Čerkovskis, Assistant Professor, Research Assistant, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5146-7167
Oļegs Ņikadimovs, Research Assistant, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9676-0586
Mg. Lika Kiladze, Education Development and Employment Center (Georgia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4193-1181
Bojan Kitanovikj, MSc., PhD Student, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (North Macedonia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1968-8955

CONFORMITY WITH THE OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN THE NATIONAL+ STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS

National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2027. Strategic objectives: Social trust, equal opportunities, regional development, and productivity and income. https://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/latvijas-nacionalais-attistibas-plans?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
NDP 2021-2027. Direction “Quality, accessible and inclusive education” of Priority 2 “Knowledge and skills for personal and national growth”. https://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/media/15165/download?attachment
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 10 “Reduce inequality within and among countries”. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal10
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal4
OECD (2023) Public employment and management. https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/policy-issues/public-employment-and-management.html
OECD (2023) Equity and inclusion in education, finding strength through diversity. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/equity-and-inclusion-in-education_e9072e21-en.html
UNESCO (2023) Reaching out to all learners: A resource pack for supporting inclusion and equity in education. https://www.ibe.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2023/10/unesco_bie_2021_web_inclusive_education_resrouce_pack.pdf

OUTCOMES

Research papers:

Sannikova, A., & Titko, J. (2021). Social entrepreneurship and social inequality: A case study of Latvia. In Economic Science for Rural Development Conference Proceedings, 55, 188-195. https://doi.org/10.22616/ESRD.2021.55.019
Vevere, V. (2021). Marta Nusbauma: Humanisms, emociju terapija un religiska iecietiba. Religiski-filozofiski raksti, XXIX, 117-135. https://doi.org/10.22364/rfr.29. SCOPUS
Lentjushenkova, O. (2021). Human capital development at higher education institutions. Economics and Culture, 18(2) 5-14. https://doi.org/10.2478/jec-2021-0010. (ERIH+, EBSCO, ProQuest u.c.)

Related projects:

2024-2027: Erasmus+ KA220 program. Project GREENENTRE4DEAF: Stimulating innovative and inclusive teaching and learning in HE through VR simulations for digital and green entrepreneurship for people with hearing impairments.
2022 - 2024: Erasmus+ KA220 program. Project BENEFIT: Blended learning and evaluation practices for inclusive digital higher education

RESEARCH DISSEMINATION & IMPACT

2024/04/24-25. Report at the International Scientific Conference “Emerging Trends in Economics, Culture, and Humanities (eTECH) 2024”, Jūrmala, Latvia. Enhancing sustainability of higher education institutions in Europe: A contingency management model for bridging a gap between the legislation and implementation levels of inclusivity for people with disabilities
2023/11/16. Report at the International Scientific Conference “Societal Interactions: Rethinking Modern Issues”, Vilnius, Lithuania. Value creation of inclusive education in Latvian education policy documents
2023/11/08. Report at the International Scientific and Educational Conference “Future of Education and Skills (FuturEDU) 2023”, Rīga, Latvia. BENEFIT project as an example of inclusive digital higher education
2023/11/08. Report at the International Scientific and Educational Conference “Future of Education and Skills (FuturEDU) 2023”, Rīga, Latvia. Are we ready for diverse study environment in EKA University of Applied Sciences?
2023/11/08. Report at the International Scientific and Educational Conference “Future of Education and Skills (FuturEDU) 2023”, Rīga, Latvia. University social responsibility, inclusivity, diversity and human skills: stakeholders′ perceptions
2023/11/08. Report at the International Scientific and Educational Conference “Future of Education and Skills (FuturEDU) 2023, Rīga, Latvia. Inclusive digital education – a tool to understand circular economy (by Cudečka-Puriņa, N., researcher of EKA University of Applied Sciences, associate professor of BA School of Business and Finance, Latvia)
2023/03/19-21. Report at the International Scientific Conference “Emerging Trends in Economics, Culture and Humanities (eTECH) 2023”, Rīga, Latvia. The relationship between economic development and human development in Latvia
2023/03/13. Report at the International Scientific Conference “European Processes ICEP 2023”, Kaunas, Lithuania Social innovation and gender equality in higher education institutions: Evidence from private university in Latvia

COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY & ACADEMIA & PUBLIC SECTOR & NGOs

Partner	Sector	Country	Activities
Latvian Association of Social Enterprises (LSUA). https://sua.lv/biedri/ Cooperation agreement No. 4-17/24/10	Business	Latvia	The cooperation agreement was signed on “Cleaning the data of the European Social Enterprise Monitor (ESEM) and creating the Latvian ESEM report, describing, analyzing the data and creating the design of the report”
Association of Latvian economists (LEA). http://leaekonomisti.lv/par-lea/	Business	Latvia	Members of the research direction actively participate in the association′s meetings
Social entrepreneurship accelerator "New Door" https://newdoor.lv/ Cooperation agreement No. 16-10/23/01	Business	Latvia	Organization of joint sections at FuturEDU and etECH conferences, co-authorship of scientific articles, support for social acceleration programs, mentoring, etc.
“Reach for Change”, non profit organisation Cooperation agreement No. 16-10/23/04-1	Business	Latvia	Support of the incubator′s social programs, mentoring, organization of seminars and guest lectures

INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

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