Talis TISENKOPFS

Dr.soc. Talis TISENKOPFS Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Latvia Lomonosova Street, 1 Riga, LV 1019 Latvia Phone:  +371 29417173 Fax: + 371 67470244 E-mail: talis.tisenkopfs@lu.lv

Born: 28 July 1957, Tukums district, Latvia.

Interests (Fields of expertise) :

• Sociology
• Rural and regional development
• Agro food chains
• Knowledge systems and innovation
• Social capital
• Community studies
• Sustainable development
• Human development
• Social organization of economy

Language skills: Latvian- native, English and Russian - fluent reading, speaking and writing.

Academic Education

• Dr.soc. (Candidate of Science in former USSR, Ph. D. in Western countries), Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law, Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Vilnius, 1989
                      Thesis - "Festivals in Contemporary Latvian Culture"
• Post-graduate studies in sociology of art, Institute of Theory of Arts, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 1982-1985
• Graduate studies in philosophy and sociology,  University of Latvia ( Faculty of History and Philosophy), 1975-1980

Academic Titles and Scientific Degrees

• Professor of Sociology, University of Latvia (LU), 2002
• Associate Professor in Sociology, LU, 1999
• Corresponding Member, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1998
• Dr.soc. , Latvian Academy of Sciences , 1992
• Cand. philos., Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, 1989 

Experience

    Current employment:

• Chairman of the Board, Advanced Social and Political Research Institute (ASPRI), LU, 2004 -
• Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, LU, 2002 -
• Director, Baltic Studies Centre, 1991 -

    Former Professional Experience:

• Head of Department of Sociology, LU, 1998 - 2004
• Associate Professor in Sociology, LU, 1999-2002
• Docent, Department of Sociology, LU, 1998-1999
• Lecturer, Department of Sociology, LU, 1994-1998
• Researcher and Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Latvia University of Agriculture , 1994-2000
• Senior Researcher and  Project Director, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Latvian Academy of Sciences,  1994 - 2004
• Researcher, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Latvian Academy of Sciences,   1991 - 1994
• Lecturer, Department of Sociology and Pedagogy, Riga Technical University, 1991-1994
• Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, Latvian State Conservatoire, 1980-1990

    Research abroad:

• Visiting lecture "Rural development in transition", University of Helsinki, MA programme in post-socialist rural and regional studies, January, 2007
• Visiting researcher, University of Jyvaskyla, SOCRATES exchange programme and Finnish Academy exchange programme, May, 2000
• Research visit at the Department of Agricultural and co-operative research( the Danish Council of Sciences research visit scholarship), South Jytland University Centre, Denmark, 1996, May-July
• Visiting scholar at the Department of Sociology, University of Umea, Sweden (Participation in post-graduate course "Nations, Nationalism and National Identity", the Swedish Institute Scholarship), 1994, February-March
• Visiting reasercher, Centre for Rural Research (NorFA Scholarship), University of Trondheim, Norway, 1992, April-July

       Special Eastern Countries experience:

• Estonia - external expert, Phare Multi-Country Programme Quality Assurance in Higher Education,  June, 1998
• Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - PECO Project "Incentives and Obstacles to the Implementation of More Sustainable Methods in Agriculture in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania”,  1994 -1996.

Awards

• The Latvian Writers Union Literature Prise 2007 for outstanding work in the genre of essayistic for the book „Uzburta vieta” (Imagined Place), 2008
• Award for achievements in scientific research given on the occasion of 85th anniversary of University of Latvia, 2004
• Award for excellent contribution in social sciences, award given by the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Lattelekom SIA, and the Latvian Foundation for Education,  2003
• Award for analysis of the theme of Europe (an essay “The Rape of Europe”, published in newspaper Diena on May 8, 2002), award given by the Delegation of European Commission in Latvia, 2002
• Cicero Award for objective analysis of development processes in Latvia represented in UNDP Human Development Reports, award given by the Latvian Academy of Sciences, The Latvian Association of Journalists, The Council of Integration, and Department of Communication Studies of the University of Latvia,  2002
• Award for excellence in quality of analysis and excellence in participation and policy impact of the Latvia Human Development Report 1999. Award given to Talis Tisenkopfs, Editor-in-Chief, Latvia Human Development Report 1999, at the Second Global Forum on Human Development, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 1999

Professional Activities and Memberships

• 2006 - Member of editorial board – Scientific Proceedings of Liepaja Pedagogical Academy “Society and Culture” ,
• 2005 – Editor-in-chief – Acta Universitatis Latviensis, “Sociology” 
• 2005 – External Evaluation Panel Member for election of professors in sociology, Tartu University 
• 2004 – Chairman of the Board, Advanced Social and Political Research Institute (ASPRI) of the University of Latvia  
• 2003 – 2005 - National expert, European Commission, DG XII, Directorate K, Specific Programme “Integrating and strengthening the European research area” Integrating Programme Committee on “Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge-Based Society”, Priority 7 of the 6^th Framework Programme
• 2003 – Member of editorial board – Scientific Proceedings of Riga Technical University, “The Humanities and Social Science” 
• 2002 – Chairman, Professors Council in Demography, Sociology, Political Science and Communication Science of the University of Latvia  
• 1999 – 2004 Board member of the Soros Foundation Latvia 
• 2001 – Member of the Promotion Board in Sociology, University of Latvia
• Editor-in-chief of Latvia Human Development Reports 1998, 1999, 2000/2001 
• 2000 – Member of the Faculty Council, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Latvia  
• 1994 – 2001 - Member of the Promotion Board in Sociology, Latvian Academy of Sciences
• 1998 - 1999 – Member of the Soros Foundation Civil Society Committee
• 1998 - Corresponding Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences
• 1998 - Baltic - American Partnership Programme, Member of the Local Expert Council  
• 1995 - European Sociological Association. Standing as a candidate for election into the ESA Executive Committee, 1995, 1997 and 1999 
• 1994 - Chairman of the Promotion Board in Sociology, Latvian Academy of Sciences  
• 1992 - European Society for Rural Sociology
• 1990 - International Sociological Association
• 1989 - Board Member, Latvian Sociological Association.

   Participation in expert committees

• 2010 – 2014 – Latvian representative in COST domain “Individuals, Society, Culture and Health”
• 2010 – 2011 – Expert, SCAR (Standing Committee on Agricultural Research) Colaborative Working Group “Agricultural knowledge and innovation systems”
• 2009 – Member of assessment committee for appointment of professor with special responsibilities for Rural Sociology at Department of Rural Research and Development, University of Southern Denmark
• 2009 – Chairman of consultative committee of University of Latvia “New cooperation ideas”
• 2007 – Expert at the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government for elaboration of Latvia’s long term development strategy
• 2005 – 2008 - Member of the Commission for Strategic Analysis under the auspices of the President of Latvia
• 2003 – 2006 – Expert, Latvian Council of Sciences, expert council Nr. 12 “Humanities and Social Sciences”
• 2001 – Member of the expert group who assisted the Department of Policy Planning and Coordination of the State Chancellery to elaborate budget priorities
• 2000 – 2001 – Member of the expert group for discussion of the World Bank Latvia country assistance strategy  
• 2000 – Member of the expert group, which prepared Latvia sustainable development strategy paper
• 1998 - Baltic - American Partnership Programme, Member of the Local Expert Council  
• 1998 - Member of the working group of the Ministry of Environment and Regional Development which elaborated the Latvia Rural Development Programme
• 1997 - Member of the Project Preparation Unit for the World Bank Rural Development Project in Latvia 
• 1997 - 1998 - Member of the Brugges Group – A European think tank for agriculture and rural development
• 1993 – Expert of the Latvian Council of Science

     Other advantages:

        Good collaboration with the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Governments, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Welfare includes  participation in research projects, dissemination of research results, policy consultations, and participation in expert groups. Experience with the UNDP, the World Bank, the Soros Foundation   Latvia , EU Phare, and bilateral development programmes and projects.  

Academic Courses and Supervision of PhD Thesis   

•    2008 - International Comparative Research (together with prof. A.Tabuns), MA programme, Part A, 4 credits
•    2002 - New Tendences in Sociological Theory and Research, PhD course
•    2000 - Human development, MA programme course, Part A, 4 credits
•    2000 - Seminar in Contemporary Social Theories, MA programme course, Part A, 2 credits
•    2005 – 2008 - Post-modern Social Theories, BA programme course, Part A, 2 credits
•    1999 -  Micro-sociological Theories , BA programme course, Part A, 4 credits
•    1999 - Sociological practice, BA programme course, Part A, 2 credits .

  2010 - Supervisor of 5 doctoral students:
  
                  Sandra Sumane ("Rural Innovation")
                  Ilze Lace ("Youth Territorial Mobility")
                  Sandris Murins ("Sociological Imagination in Lartvian Sociology")
                  Matiss Neimanis ("Organizational, Technological and Regional Innovation")
                  Ilona Kunda ("University - Regional Stakeholders Collaboration")

Recent/Representative Publications

Books, monographs  (Total number - 14)

• T.Tisenkopfs (ed.). Sociologija Latvija (Sociology in Latvia), 2010, Riga: Univ. of Latvia Publishing House, 544 pp. (in Latvian).
• T.Tisenkopfs. Uzburta vieta (Imagined Place), 2007, Riga: Neptuns, 268 pp. (in Latvian)
• B.Bela, T.Tisenkopfs (eds.). Quality of Life in Latvia (Strategic Analysis Commission under the Auspices of the President of the Republic of Latvia),  2006, Riga : Zinatne, 430 pp. (in Latvian). 
• Z.Ozolina, T.Tisenkopfs (eds.). Latvija eiropeizacijas krustcelos (Latvia at the Crossroads of Europeanisation), 2005, Riga: LU Akademiskais Apgads, 135 pp.
• T.Tisenkopfs (Editor-in-chief). Latvia Human Development Report 2000/2001. Public policy process in Latvia, 2001, Riga, UNDP, 156 pp.
• T.Tisenkopfs (Editor-in-chief). Latvia Human Development Report 1999. 2000, Riga, UNDP, 140 pp.
• T.Tisenkopfs (Editor-in-chief). Latvia Human Development Report 1998. 1998, Riga, UNDP, 107 pp.
• A.Tabuns, J.Broks, A.Tabuna, T.Tisenkopfs. National State and Regime Identity in Latvia (A.Tabuns, ed.), 2000, Riga: Baltic Studies Centre,  251 pp.
• T.Tisenkopfs, A.Zobena (eds.). Social Aspects of Sustainable Agriculture: Experience in Baltic and Nordic Countries, 1999, Jelgava: Latvia University of Agriculture, 178 pp.
• Simon Davies, Bill Slee, Talis Tisenkopfs. Social and Economic Conditions in Rural Latvia, 1997, Riga: Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, 135 pp. (in Latvian).

Contribution to Books  (Total number - 32)

• James Kirwan, Talis Tisenkopfs and Adanella Rossi.  Mediating trust and locality: examining the nature, creation and communication of embeddedness in shaping sustainable food supply chains. -  In: Wiskerke, J.S.C., G. van Huylenbroeck & J. Kirwan (eds). Sustaining food supply chains.Grounded perspectives on the dynamics and impacts of new modes of food provision. Ashgate, London,  2010 (forthcoming)
• – Talis Tisenkopfs „Oh, Blessed Ones. The Sixties Generation Whose Longings Transformed the world”, pp 209-217 in Jouko Nikula (ed) Maaseutuaiheita. Rural Motifs. Essays in Honour of Professor Leo Granberg. Aleksanteri Series 5/2009, 2009, University of Helsinki. 
• Jan Douwe van der Ploeg, Rudolf van Broekhuizen, Gianluca Brunori, Roberta Sonnino, Karlheinz Knickel, Talis Tisenkopfs and Henk Oostindie.  Towards a framework for understanding regional rural development. -  In: Jan Douwe van der Ploeg & Terry Marsden (eds) Unfolding Webs: The Dynamics of Regional Rural Development, Assen: Van Gorcum, 2008, pp. 1-28.
• Talis Tisenkopfs, Ilze Lace and Inta Mierina „Social capital”. -  In: Jan Douwe van der Ploeg & Terry Marsden (eds) Unfolding Webs: The Dynamics of Regional Rural Development, Assen: Van Gorcum, 2008, pp. 87-110.
• T.Tisenkopfs, S.Sumane. A visionary and capable chain leader. Rankas Piens Diary. - In: Nourishing Networks. Fourteen lessons about creating sustainable food suply chains (Dirk Roep and Han Wiskerke, eds.), 2006, Wageningen: Wageningen University and Reed Business Information - Agriboek, pp. 79-90.
• 2006 – B. Bela, T.Tisenkopfs. Quality of Life in Latvia. - In:   Žaneta Ozolina (ed.) Yearbook of Politics. Latvia 2005. Riga, “Zinatne”, pp. 50-78 (in Latvian)
• T.Tisenkopfs, S.Sumane. Rural Community Initiatives in the Latvian Countryside. - In: Mapping Rural Problematics in the Baltic (Ilkka Alanen, ed.), 2004, Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing, pp. 219-247.
• T.Tisenkopfs. Globalisation and pheripheral identity. - In: New Horizons in Sociological Theory and Research (Luigi Tomasi, ed.), 2001, New York. London, Sydney: Ashgate, pp. 221-255.
• A.Tabuns, T.Tisenkopfs. Attitudes towards European Integration. - In: Aivars Tabuns (ed) National, State and Regime Identity in Latvia, Riga: Baltic Studies Centre, 2001, pp. 201-227
• T.Tisenkopfs. Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Latvia. - In: Conference Prague 1999.Transitional Societes in Comparison: East Central Europe vs. Taiwan (National Science Council, Taipei, Bonn Office), 2000, Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern: Peter Lang,  pp. 381-416.
• T.Tisenkopfs. Latvian childhood memories. - In: National, State and Regime Identity in Latvia (A.Tabuns, ed.), 2000, Riga: Baltic Studies Centre, pp. 92-111.

  Articles  in peer rewiew journals

• Talis Tisenkopfs, Gianluca Brunori, Karlheinz Knickel and. Sandra Sumane. Co-production of rural innovation. - AGER, Journal of Depopulation and Rural Development Studies, 2011 (forthcoming).
• Talis Tisenkopfs, Imre Kovach,Michal Lostak and Sandra Sumane. Rebuilding and Failing Collectivity: Specific Challenges for Farmers Marketing Initiatives in Post-Socialist Countries. - International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food, 2011 (forthcoming)
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Preface. Formation and development of sociology in Latvia since 1960s. - Scientific Papers University of Latvia, 2008, Vol. 736. Sociology: Sociology in Latvia – 40^th Aniversary, Riga  : LU Akademiskais apgads, pp. 6-14.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. The new language of sociology: theoretical models, popular explanations and essays in contemporary sociology. - ibid., pp. 168-186.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Human capability and quality of life. Researching quality of life in Latvia. - Social Sciences. Socialniai Mokslai, 2006, No 3 (53), pp. 7-16.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. The Meaning of Everyday life in Latvian poetry (in Latvian). - Scientific Papers University of Latvia, 2006, Vol. 701. Sociology, Riga  : LU Akademiskais apgads, pp. 34-70.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Scientist on Vacation (in Latvian). - Acta Universiatis Latviensis. Anniversary Edition,  2004, pp. 91-99.
• Talis Tisenkopfs, Sandra Šumane.  Communication processes in rural communities: the case of partnerships (in Latvian). - Acta Universiatis Latviensis, 2004 , Politics nad Sociology)  , pp. 183-207.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Healing the Trauma (in Latvian). - Acta Universiatis Latviensis, 2004, Vol 663, Politics nad Sociology , pp. 208-221.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Ak, laimingieji (Oh, Blessed Ones). -  Kulturos Barai (Domains of Culture),  2004,   Nr. 4 (474), pp. 56-59. 
• Valts Kalnins un Talis Tisenkopfs. Publiskas atbildibas proceduras Latvijas politika un parvalde.-  Proc. Latvian Academy of Sciences, A, 2002, Vol. 56, Nr. 4./5./6., pp. 1-11. 
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Par ceribam un glabinu: Zinatne un ilgtspejiga attistiba. - Proc. Latvian Academy of Sciences, A, 2002, Vol. 56, Nr . 4./5./6., pp.   80-86.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Globalisation and reconfigurating identity. - Money. Life-Style. Identity (A.Stepcenko, ed.). Latvijas Universitates Zinatniskie Raksti, 2000, vol. 629, pp.137-171.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Rurality as creative field: towards an integrated rural development. - Sociologia Ruralis, 1999,  Vol. 3 (39), pp. 411-430.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Constructed countryside:postsocialist and late modern mixture in rural change. - Humanities and Social Sciences. Latvia, 1999, 1 (22), pp. 72-111.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Young People and New Capitalism. - Humanities and Social Sciences. Latvia, 1996, 4(13) / 1997, 1(14), pp.167-198.
• Janis Broks, Uldis Ozolins, Gunars Ozolzile, Aivars Tabuns and Talis Tisenkopfs. The Stability of Democracy in Latvia: Pre-Requisites and Prospects.- Humanities and Social Sciences. Latvia 1996,4(13) /1997, 1(14), pp.103-134.
• Talis Tisenkopfs, Signe Aboltina and Ieva Miezite. Latvian Song Festivals: Historical and Sociological Aspects. - Proc. Latvian Academy of Sciences, A, 1995, 9/10, pp. 40-48 (in Latvian).
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Search for the Center in a Peripheral Society: A Case Study of Youth Identities in Latvia. - Nordic Journal of Youth Research, 1995, 3, pp.2-19.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Perceptions of Ethnicity in Latvian Childhood Memories. Childhood. - A Global Journal of Child Research, 1993, 1, pp.110-118.
• Talis Tisenkopfs. Life and Text: Biographical Approach in Social Sciences. - Proc. Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1993, 5, pp.1-8 (in Latvian).

    Essays,  Popular Scientific Articles - 46

    Reaserch Reports - 37

    International Conference Papers - 31

    Papers at Scientific Conferences in Latvia, Speaches - 10

   Papers and Speaches at other Conferences, Symposia and Seminars:

           Several papers at meetings and conferences organised by the Latvian Academy of Sciences, the Latvian Association of Intelligentsia,
       the Information Centre of the European Union (European Dialogues), the Soros Foundation Latvia (Public Policy Forums), UNDP.

Recent Representative Research Projects

       National Research Projects and Programmes /Total number (1990 - 2010) - 37/

        Project Leader:

• Life plans of young people and their outlook on regional development.-  LU research grant Y2-Z77. (2007)
• Latvia Human Development Report 2007, – published by ASPRI. (2006 – 2007).
• Quality of Life in Latvia. -  Project commissioned by the Commission for Strategic Analysis under the auspices of the President of Latvia and Advanced Social and Political Research Institute (ASPRI) of the University of Latvia. (2005)
• Changes in Everyday Life in Contemporary Latvia. -  Latvian Council of Science research grant Nr. 05.1911 (2005-2008).
• (Together with professor Zaneta Ozolina). Interaction of Social and Political Processes in Latvia in the Context of European Integration. - University of Latvia (2004).
• Agency Research in Collective Action. - Latvian Council of Science research grant Nr. 01.0755 (2001-2004).
• Social development and social security. Research programme. -  Latvian Council of Science, project NR 1.0020.0.8 (2001).
• Latvian song festivals in a changing social environment. - Ministry of Culture, Republic of Latvia (2002)
• The impact of the market economy on the change of social identities and social structures in Latvia. - Latvian Council of Science (1997-2000).

         Creative Scholarships 

•     IX – XI 2006 – “Renovation of Vilksala manor house”. The State Culture Capital Foundation.
•     IX – XII 2005 – “Architectural and historical research of Vilksala manor house”. The State Culture Capital Foundation.

      International Projects and Programmes     /Total number (1987 - 2010) - 32 /

• FOODLINKS Knowledge Brikerage to Promote SustainableFood Consumption and Production: Linking Scientists, Policymakers and Civil Society Organizations. - EU 7th FP Project (2010-2013)
• (Reaserch director). Research Potential of Higher Education Institutions for the Enhancement of Regional Development. - EEA and Norway Grants (2009-2011)
• ETUDE „Enlarging the Theoretical Understanding of Rural Development”. -  EU 6^th FP Project, Contract No. SSPE-CT-2006-44245 (2007-2009)
• IN-SIGHT „Strengthening Innovation Processes for Growth and Development”, EU FP6 Project, Contract No. SSP-2005-44510 (2006 – 2008)
• COFAMI „Encouraging Collective Farmers Marketing Initiatives”. - EU 6^th FP Project, Contract No SSPE-CT-2005-006541 (2005 – 2008)
• SINER-GI „Strengthening International Research on Geographical Indications: From Research Foundation to Consistent Policy”. - EU 6^th FP Project, Contract No. SSPE-CT-2005-006522 (2005 - 2008)
• Project leader in Latvia . Women Towards ownership in Business and Agriculture. - European Commission, Community Framework Strategy on Gender Equality and LR Ministry of Welfare(2001-2005) 
• MULTAGRI “Capitalisation of Research Results on the Multifunctionality of Agriculture and Rural Areas”. - EU FP5 Project (Specific Support Action), Contract No. GOCE-CT-2003-505297, subcontractor to the University of Helsinki (2004 - 2005)
• PubAcc „Researching Public Accountability Procedures in Different European Societies”. -  EU FP5 Project, Contract No. HPSE-CT-2001-00076 (2001 – 2004).
• SUS-CHAIN „Marketing Sustainable Agriculture: An analysis of the Potential Role of New Food Supply Chains in Sustainable Rural Developmen”. - EU FP5 Project, Contract No. QLK5-CT-2002-01349 (2003 - 2006)
• (Project director). Latvia Human Development Report 2004/2005, published by UNDP and ASPRI (2004 – 2005)
• TRUC „Transformation of Rural Communication”. - EU FP5 Project, Contract Nr. QLK5-CT-2001-30025I  (2002 – 2003)
• (Team leader). The Action Research Component “Rural partnerships programme”.   The British Department for International Development Baltic rural livelihoods project (2000 - 2003)
• (Project director).  DIRA „Democratic and integrated regional development”. -  Open Society Institute in Budapest. (2000 - 2001)

           1997 – 2009 – participation in nine EU 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Framework Programme projects (MAS, TRUC, PubAcc, SUS-CHAIN, Multagri, Cofami,   SINER-GI, IN-SIGHT, ETUDE) has helped to build comparative research experience and knowledge in different European contexts.    

Last update 17.09.2010