Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI)

Registered in the Latvian register of scientific institutions: 27.03.2013.

Director of the Institute: Prof., Dr. Skaidrīte Gūtmane.

6 senior researchers and 2 researchers are working at the institute.

Contacts: instituts@kra.lv; phone (+371) 29 266 532.

Values of international cooperation:

  • Application of the integrative theology methodology in interdisciplinary research,
  • Research of relations between various fields of knowledge,
  • Building active research nets and knowledge transfer using original platforms,
  • Cooperative platforms for application of European anthropological values. Judeo-Christian anthropological knowledge.

Main directions of the corporate research:

  • Interdisciplinary research for innovative development of social work,
  • Social Dialogue and research of European social processes using the Method of Integrative Theology,
  • European Social Agenda trends and sacred art heritaghe (history, axiology, methodology,
  • Historical development of European ancient Iconography and paleography,
  • Caritative Social Work as a Profession and Social Science,
  • Orthodox Theology and art. Studies of European Sacred Art Heritage,
  • Ecotheology. Interdisciplinary research in methodology,
  • Inter-cultural dialogue,
  • Translation of the Patristic literature in Latvian and development of proper terminology

European Christian academy participates in the international interuniversities cooperation consortium “Social professions for supporting youth empowerment in European solidarity context”. Other partners are Klaipeda University (LT), Malmo University (SE), Warsaw University (PL) and Byelostok University (PL). Rector of ECA prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane is coordinator of the cooperation.

Two books were published: “Youth Work Reader – Issues and Context” (2023), “Social Work with different Youth Groups” (2023).

Methodological interdisciplinary seminar for students “Research in Climate Changes from the Humanities’ Perspective” was held in May 2022. Lecturers and researchers of European Christian Academy explained the use and benefits of innovative Methdology of Integrative Theology in interdisciplinary research.

In 2022 research project has been strarted to investigate how skill and practice-related Social Work curriculum components can be optimized.

In 2022 Training program has been launched for beginning new teachers and assistants.

Cooperating institutions – universities and academies:

  • Academy of European Culture and Art (NE)
  • Ansgar University College and Theological Seminary (NO)
  • Babes-Bolyai University (RO)
  • Bethlehem University (PA)
  • Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (FI)
  • ECAC (European Continental Art Centre, NE)
  • EUROCS (European Organization for Civic Responsibility) (BE)
  • EASSW (European Association of Schools of Social Work) (NE)
  • EZA (European Center for Workers’ Questions) (D)
  • Finnish Theological institute (FI)
  • Israel Antiquities Authority (IL)
  • IASSW (International Association of Schools of Social Work)
  • IDC (International Deaconate Center) (D)
  • IMH Institute of Mental Health (Semmelweis University) (HU)
  • Orthodox Academy of Crete (GR)
  • Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology (D)
  • Ignatius Loyola College (LT)
  • IXE-Group – Initiative of Christians for Europe (FR)
  • Jerusalem University (IL)
  • Klaipeda University (LT)
  • Kolpingo University of Applied Sciences (LT)
  • Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences (LT)
  • Mullsjo Folkhogskole (SE)
  • Rockefeller Museum (IL)
  • Semaines Sociales de France (FR)
  • Semmelweis University (HU)
  • Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski (BU)
  • Oradea University (RO)
  • University of Tartu (EE)
  • Klaipeda University (LT)
  • Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts, Kaunas Art Academy (LT)
  • Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas (LT)
  • Институт Синергийной антропологии (RU)
  • Российский Государственный Социальный университет (RU)

Research centers and networks:

  • ANSE – European Association for Supervision
  • NACSW – Association of Christian Social Workers
  • EUROCS (Research Organization of European Civic Society) (BE)
  • THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE
  • HIVA (Higher Institute for Labor Studies) (BE)
  • EZA (European Center for Workers’ Questions) (D)
  • Global Association of Social Workers
  • IDC (Internationales Diakonatszentrum – International Deaconate Center) (D)
  • CIRIUS (The Danish Centre for International Cooperation and Mobility in Education and Training) (DK)
  • IXE Group – Initiative of Christians for Europe (FR)
  • Semaines Sociales de France (FR)
  • Association of Christian Artists (NE)
  • ECAC (European Continental Art Centre) (NE)
  • Scandinavian Association for Social Work

Church organizations

In Latvia:

  • Latvian Orthodox Church
  • Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church
  • Roman Catholic Church in Latvia

International Church organizations:

  • Christian Trade Unions Europe
  • ECEN – The European Christian Environmental Network
  • European Christian Convention
  • IXE Group – Christian Initiatives for Europe
  • SAM – Swedish Alliance Mission
  • International Bible School Association (Minneapolis, USA)
  • Skarpnack Lutheran Church in Stockholm (Sweden)
  • Peñasquitos Lutheran Church (San Diego, USA)
  • RENOVABIS – Catholic Church in Germany for Eastern Europe (Germany)