- If you could solve one problem in Latvian daily life using TED4LAT’s research, what would it be and why?
I would like to work with a digital-age university model. The previous important model change was the establishment of technical universities in the 19th century as a protest against classical universities.
2. What is the most surprising or mind-blowing fact TED4LAT has revealed about our environment that people rarely talk about?
The well-structured opportunities to create usable models on social situations, challenges and solutions.
3. Imagine TED4LAT had a superpower—what would it be, and how would it change Latvia for future generations?
TED4LAT could develop patterns and approaches to help Latvian society maximise its benefits from digital age opportunities.
4. If TED4LAT could collaborate with any person or group outside of science (like artists, athletes, or entrepreneurs), who would you choose and what project would you create together?
I would like to work on a better understanding of possible advanced digital age business models in a real, diverse environment.
5. Are you ready to develop new projects like Ted4Lat?
Yes, I am always ready to discuss new ideas!
Day two at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences in Valmiera was another inspiring and action-packed chapter for the TED4LAT Doctoral School!
We continued our collaborative journey with:
- Morning PhD student progress presentations, spotlighting innovative approaches and research.
- Presentation of newly created e-courses for PhD students “Data science”, “Dynamic systems modelling”, Enterprise Modeling with the 4EM Method”.
- Presentation of Ted4Lat Shared Laboratory.
- Poster session where doctoral students creatively shared their findings and networked with peers.
- Lively discussions and knowledge exchange during coffee breaks and lunch.
This unique space for sharing, learning, and connecting is bringing together future leaders dedicated to addressing environmental and social challenges with open data. Stay tuned for more highlights as we move into keynote sessions, innovation workshops, and cultural events!
From July 14 to 18, 2025, the Ted4Lat Doctoral School and Workshop “Open Data for Addressing Interconnected Environmental and Social Challenges” will take place at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), bringing together students from Latvia, France, Italy, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Albania, and India.
The doctoral summer school will gather students and professors to work together with data. Students will present progress reports on their doctoral research and collaborate in teams to develop new open data solutions, while professors will provide valuable feedback and serve as mentors.
Students will participate in lectures, workshops, and a hackathon to not only learn about using data as a driving force of digital transformation but also to foster innovation across various processes.
“The doctoral summer school is designed to give PhD students and candidates a boost in developing their dissertations while also enhancing skills in defining innovative products — a crucial aspect of modern science, which must become increasingly connected to society. To achieve these goals, PhD candidates will have the opportunity to present progress reports and participate in a data hackathon. Additionally, the program includes several guest speaker presentations, focusing both on data use in current research projects and on specific data-related topics,” explains lead researcher and doctoral school organizer Ph.D. Oskars Java.
The Doctoral School is implemented by the project partners: Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (France), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Riga Technical University (Latvia) and The Baltic Open Solutions Center (Latvia).
We are thrilled to announce that RTU (Latvia) PhD student Guna Jākobsone-Šnepste, who actively participates in T,ed4Lat Research Agenda, recently presented her research at the 9th International Conference on Energy Economics and Energy Policy (ICEEEP 2025), held from April 7 to 9, 202in Nice, France.
This conference united experts, researchers, energy economists, and policy professionals to discuss the latest developments and share insights. Guna’s participation in the “Changing Attitudes Toward Nuclear Energy in European Union Countries from 2009 to 2024” speech underscores her dedication and hard work in her research. It also represents a valuable opportunity to engage with peers and leaders in the energy sector.
We commend Guna for her achievements and look forward to seeing how her contributions will advance energy policy. Stay tuned for updates on her research and future endeavors!
From March 17-19, 2025, young researchers from Latvia participated in a short-term visit to INRAE, France, as part of the TED4LAT project. The visit included Lasma Ulmane-Ozolina (RTU LA), Ieva Vītoliņa (RTU), Guna Jākobsone-Šnepste (RTU), Una Krutova (RTU) and Mairita Zaķe (ViA), who engaged in discussions and collaborative activities with INRAE experts.
Key Activities and Discussions:
- March 17:
- Introduction to the short-term visit by Ieva Vītoliņa (RTU) and Guillaume Deffuant (INRAE).
- Discussions on new and upgraded e-courses, including dynamic modeling, involving PhD students and young researchers.
- Exploration of INRAE’s experience in project management through presentations.
- March 18:
- Development and upgrading of the dynamic modeling course led by Guillaume Deffuant (INRAE).
- Discussion of learning objectives for e-courses with Jean-Baptiste Pichancourt (INRAE).
- March 19:
- Review of upcoming European project calls and funding opportunities.
- Planning for a COST project, exploring collaboration topics.
- Preparation of individual COST activity plans with INRAE representatives.
This visit fostered knowledge exchange, enhanced course development, and strengthened international research collaborations within the TED4LAT framework.
Ted4Lat project team is proud to inform you that three new scientists have been accepted to the Research agenda – Svetlana Osinceva (LiepU), Roberts Volkovičs (ViA) and Madara Freimane (LiepU). Congratulations! New scientists already started to work with their advisors – Anna Carbone from POLITO and Guillaume Deffuant from INRAE.
- If you could describe the ted4lat project in a metaphor, what would it be and why?
A long-distance team race. Indeed, the project is a demanding effort over a duration of several years and its goal can only be achieved if everyone in the team keeps being committed.
- How has your involvement in the ted4lat project changed your perspective on your field of study?
It has opened me to the practices of research in Latvian universities. Trying to be more familiar with the economic and cultural context of Latvia is in my view a part of the collaboration.
- What unexpected discoveries or insights have emerged from the ted4lat project so far?
The TED4LAT project led to close collaborations between a French or an Italian experienced scientific advisor and a Latvian scientist in their early carrier. The main insight is that these regular collaborations were mutually beneficial and led to co-authored scientific productions.
- If you could collaborate with any historical figure on the ted4lat project, who would it be and what would they contribute?
Charles-Maurice Talleyrand, the famous foreign minister of Napoleon the First. Talleyrand is known as one of the best diplomats of his time. In other words, he was able to understand people with very different interests and cultural backgrounds and find the common ground on which they could build together.
- How do you balance the scientific rigour of the ted4lat project with the need for creativity and innovation?
I think that this balance varies in the different specific scientific collaborations. This balance is also a constant subject of discussion when framing scientific work. We always need to clearly identify the novelty of research with respect to existing literature and rigorously demonstrate its advance.
- What personal experiences or passions inspired you to join the ted4lat project?
Interest in exchanging with people from different horizons and finding paths for building together.
If you could describe the TED4LAT project in a metaphor, what would it be and why?
The TED4LAT project is like a river delta, where streams of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration come together to increase the capacity for scientific innovation in Latvian universities. Just as a river delta expands and strengthens the land it touches, TED4LAT empowers Latvian universities to grow and thrive in the international scientific community.
How has your involvement in the TED4LAT project changed your perspective on your field of study?
As a postdoc and project coordinator, TED4LAT has broadened my understanding of the power of collaborative networks. TED4LAT has expanded my view on how interdisciplinary collaboration is key to solving complex environmental challenges. The partnership between Latvian institutions and leading European research centers has highlighted how vital it is to merge local strengths with global expertise.
What unexpected discoveries or insights have emerged from the TED4LAT project so far?
One of the most valuable discoveries from the TED4LAT project is the powerful impact that cross-border collaboration can have on research outcomes. By working closely with INRAE (France) and Politecnico di Torino (Italy), we’ve realized how these partnerships are not only boosting the research capabilities of Latvian universities but also introducing new perspectives and methodologies that we hadn’t anticipated. For instance, PhD students and junior researchers, through workshops and exchange programs, have gained access to advanced agent-based modeling and data science techniques, enriching the quality of their work.
Moreover, TED4LAT’s research agenda has been shaped by the inputs and experiences of both local and international partners, demonstrating how international expertise can drive forward Latvia’s capacity to engage in large-scale, high-quality research in fields that are essential for its future competitiveness.
If you could collaborate with any historical figure on the TED4LAT project, who would it be and what would they contribute?
I would collaborate with Leonardo da Vinci. His visionary understanding of both natural systems and engineering would bring a creative perspective, helping us think more innovatively about environmental and social systems modeling and data analysis.
How do you balance the scientific rigour of the TED4LAT project with the need for creativity and innovation?
In the TED4LAT project, we maintain scientific rigor by grounding our work in established methodologies and comprehensive data analysis. This foundation ensures that our research meets high academic standards while contributing meaningfully to the scientific community. However, we also recognize the importance of fostering creativity and innovation.
To achieve this balance, we actively encourage collaboration across disciplines. For instance, students and young researchers are guided by experienced advisers from our partner institutions, Politecnico di Torino (POLITO) and INRAE (Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement). They participate in PhD schools and workshops designed to introduce them to cutting-edge methods and approaches. These programs provide invaluable learning experiences, allowing researchers to explore unconventional ideas while benefiting from expert insights. Our recent PhD schools and workshops, such as those organized by INRAE, exemplify this blend of rigor and creativity. These events not only focus on data-driven methodologies but also encourage participants to think outside the box, leveraging interdisciplinary knowledge to tackle complex environmental challenges.
What personal experiences or passions inspired you to join the TED4LAT project?
As a postdoc, I’m driven by the challenge of solving complex problems through dynamic systems, and TED4LAT offers the perfect platform to develop new projects that push the boundaries of environmental science. My interest is to see how research can directly improve and balance the well-being of people and the environment.
TED4LAT is a fantastic opportunity for PhD students and young researchers to enhance their skills and knowledge in their research fields while contributing to meaningful outcomes.
The TED4LAT PhD School (21.10. – 25.10.2024.) was thrilled to showcase the innovative work of our participating students through a series of insightful presentations. These young researchers brought fresh perspectives, presenting their latest studies on sustainable resource management, digital data integration, and environmental resilience.
Highlights from Student Presentations
- Cutting-Edge Research: Students shared their findings on topics ranging from remote sensing and climate data analytics to predictive modeling for ecosystem management. Their work demonstrates the potential of digital solutions to address critical sustainability challenges.
- Innovative Approaches: Each presentation highlighted creative methods for collecting, analyzing, and applying environmental data in real-world contexts, showcasing the ingenuity and forward-thinking of our next generation of researchers.
- Interactive Feedback: The sessions encouraged lively discussions, with experts and peers providing feedback and exploring collaboration opportunities. This exchange of ideas enriched the presentations and created connections across different fields of study.
Celebrating Future Leaders in Sustainable Solutions
The TED4LAT PhD School is proud to support and inspire these promising researchers as they push the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable resource management. Their dedication and innovation are key to building a resilient and sustainable future.
Stay tuned for more updates and outcomes from our talented students!
2024/10/31
We are excited to share the latest research from the Ted4Lat team and Ginta Majore from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, published under the title “Time Series Forecasting of Price of Agricultural Products Using Data Science”.
The article focuses on forecasting prices for agricultural products, with a specific emphasis on potato prices as a case study. The research aims to identify and apply the most effective forecasting models by leveraging advanced data science techniques. Using time series analysis, the study examines historical price data to predict future price fluctuations, providing valuable insights for farmers, suppliers, and policymakers.
Accurate price forecasting plays a crucial role in the agricultural sector, helping to optimize production planning, manage risks, and ensure market stability. Our research highlights the potential of data-driven models to enhance decision-making and offer practical solutions for the challenges the agricultural industry faces.
You can access the full article here.
How to Cite:
Kmytiuk, T., Majore, G., & Bilyk, T. (2024). Time series forecasting of price of the agricultural products using data science. Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, 10(3), 5-33. https://doi.org/10.51599/are.2024.10.03.01
Stay tuned for more innovative TED4Lat research as we continue to explore data science solutions to real-world challenges!
#TED4Lat #DataScience #TimeSeriesForecasting #Agriculture #PotatoPrices #Research #Innovation #Sustainability
2024/10/02