COST Voices Action Capacity BuildingSymposium for Early Career Researchers

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dalia Šatkovskienė is affiliated senior researcher at Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of Vilnius University &President of BASNET Forumas association, Board Member of European Women Scientists Platform (EPWS) & Chair of Organizing Committee of the meeting. Dr. Dalia Šatkovskienė initiated the Baltic States Stakeholders meeting and gave the introductory talk during the opening ceremony of the Conference emphasizing the necessity to start real steps to improve the situation of ECR in the Baltic States Recognizing the Development of Future Scientific Potential as National Priority.

Prof. E. Sužiedėlienė graduated from Vilnius University, majoring in biochemistry (1986). She continued her scientific career at Vilnius University, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. In 1991–1993, she interned at Washington University (St. Louis, USA), in 2000 and 2001 – at the P. and M. Curie University (Paris, France) and the Karolinska Institute (Stockholm, Sweden). Her scientific interests include fundamental and applied research in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, the study of molecular mechanisms of bacterial antibiotic resistance, responses to environmental stress and pathogenesis, and the development of molecular detection and inactivation methods for pathogenic bacteria.

Dr. Inga Matijošytė has obtained PhD degree at Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands). Currently she is a senior researcher and leads the Sector of Applied Biocatalysis at Institute Biotechnology Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University where her research interests include biocatalysts and bio catalytic systems, green technologies, industrial symbiosis approaches, bioeconomy. She is a Vice-president of the Association Lithuania BIO and a member of the Scientific Committee of the European Society of Applied Biocatalysis. Also, she is a Chairwoman and a Board member of the Cleantech Lithuania Cluster. Dr. Inga Matijošytė is an active member of VU team COST Action Voices. She is Chairing the second session of the Symposium

Liudvika Leišytė is Professor of Higher Education and Deputy Director at the Center for Higher Education, Department of Business and Economics at the TU Dortmund University in Germany. Prof. Leišytė focuses on governance and management of higher education, digitalized university, professional autonomy, inclusion in higher education and academic profession. She is the author of seven books and more than 120 journal articles and book chapters. She is an elected member of the Academia Europaea since 2023, former board member of Futura Scientia and former chair of the board of Female Faculty Network Twente. Prof. Leišytė is member of several editorial boards, including Learning Organisation Social Inclusion and Higher Education Policy. More information can be find on: https://hdhf.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/en/professorship/team/liudvika-leisyte/

Dr. Vilana Pilinkaite Sotirovic completed her PhD studies in Central European University in Budapest and works as a research fellow in the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences. She has conducted number of research on quality of gender+ equality policies (QUING Project) and studies on gender mainstreaming in parliaments, work-life balance, and gender-based violence in sport and universities (https://unisafe-gbv.eu)

Marija Norvaišaitė works as Equal Opportunities Coordinator at Vilnius University and is responsible for implementing diversity and equal opportunity policies within the institution. She actively contributes to achieving the goals of the VU Diversity and Equal Opportunities Strategy 2020–2025, which aims to foster an inclusive study and work environment that embraces individual, social, and cultural diversity while ensuring equal opportunities for all members of the university community. In her work, Marija focuses primarily on promoting gender equality and preventing discrimination, harassment, and violence within the university.

Liva Grinevica, PhD, is a senior expert in Latvian Council of Science and researcher in Latvian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences. For the last ten years, she  has been working in the research field, by coordinating the state research programs and international scientific projects. Has experience as a researcher by participating in national and international research projects on topics such as the assessment of the diffusion and effects of youth inclusion policies, economic transformation, smart growth, governance, and legal framework for sustainable development of the state and society, youth employment perspective, etc. Main research interests – labour market, platform economy, youth unemployment, youth employment, social inclusion, regional development, business support programs.

Gender equality policy and its impact on women in Latvia, 

Dr. Edita Bagdonaitė is Adviser at the Research and Higher Education Policy Analysis Unit, Research Council of Lithuania. She has PhD in Biomedicine and is MSc in Innovation and Technology Management. Edita has been working as an Adviser at the Research and Higher Education Policy Analysis Unit Research Council of Lithuania. She is an expert in European Research Area (ERA) Action 4 – Promote attractive and sustainable research careers, balanced talent circulation and international, transdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility across the ERA.

She has been involved in the Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) on Research Careers. This MLE, by supporting the implementation at national level of the new European standards for research careers, will foster more attractive and sustainable careers in all sectors, thus contributing to strengthening the ERA.

She also has experience with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) network. Edita has worked 8+ years as a researcher and has over 12 years of experience in innovation management, while being engaged in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national and international research and innovations policies. She is author of 30+ articles and is an experienced speaker at international conferences. She has experience related to the cooperation within quadruple helix. She consulted market-oriented Research Labs and SMEs to develop and commercialize innovative products and services. At Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) she worked as trainer conducting trainings for Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe applicants. She had been a member of the Committee for the European Innovation Council (EIC) and European Innovation ecosystems.

Dr. Edita Bagdonaitė gave a speech entitled “Research and higher education policies targeted to ECR: Lithuanian case”

Dr. Joana Smirnovienė is an early-stage researcher at Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre. For the last 14 years, she has been designing new drugs in a University lab and has worked for 4 years in Start-ups developing healthcare products. In 2021, L’Oreal-UNESCO’s “For Women in Science” program recognized her as a Young Talent.