The scholarship amounts to EUR 7,000 and is intended to support the continuation of her research. Vanda Haferberga’s research focuses on Early Neolithic pottery in the territory of Latvia, analysing its production technologies, possible origins and routes of distribution. The study makes an important contribution to research into Latvia’s earliest history and archaeological heritage, helping to provide a better understanding of the lifestyles, skills and contacts of early communities.
Alongside Vanda Haferberga, Dr Arta Bārdule and doctoral candidate Aļisa Ponkratenkova have also been named recipients of the 2026 scholarship in Latvia. Arta Bārdule received the scholarship for research into the impact of reduced agricultural soil tillage intensity on greenhouse gas emissions, while Aļisa Ponkratenkova was recognised for her research into binary and ternary biopolymer blends and biocomposites, as well as 3D printing technologies.
For the third consecutive year, the Baltic Scholarship for Women in Science is being awarded by the academies of sciences and UNESCO national commissions of the Baltic States. Three young women researchers in each of the three Baltic States receive the scholarship, bringing the total number of recipients to nine. In Latvia, the initiative is implemented by the Latvian Academy of Sciences and the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, with financial support from the Ministry of Education and Science. The award ceremony will take place in Tallinn on 1 October.
The scholarship aims to support young women researchers in their pursuit of excellence, raise the profile of their achievements and encourage talented female students to pursue careers in science. Ivars Kalviņš, President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, emphasises that the scholarship provides significant support to outstanding young women researchers at the beginning of their careers. Dace Resele, Secretary-General of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, notes that women’s contribution to science is still not sufficiently visible and that it is therefore essential to provide young women researchers with both financial support and confidence in the importance of their ideas and work.
The University of Latvia community warmly congratulates Vanda Haferberga on her achievement!
This article was prepared based on a publication by the Latvian Academy of Sciences.
This text was translated using AI.
, has been named one of three Latvian recipients of the Baltic Scholarship for Women in Science 2026. She received the scholarship for her research project “Early Neolithic Pottery in the Territory of Latvia: Technology, Origins and Distribution”.){kind=link}