Events
Regional Baltic Sociology Conference “Baltic Readings 2026”
25 05 2026
On 15 May 2026, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences hosted the regional Baltic sociology conference Baltic Readings 2026. The event was jointly organised by the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, the Lithuanian Sociological Association, and the Institute of Sociology at the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences. The conference was supported by the International Sociological Association (ISA) and the Research Council of Lithuania.
Reviving the long-standing tradition of Baltic Readings, the conference aimed to strengthen regional cooperation, promote collaborative sociological research across the Baltic region, and enhance the scientific impact of Baltic sociology both within the region and internationally.
Baltic Readings 2026 brought together sociologists from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Poland, and other countries to reflect on the current state of sociology and discuss future directions for the discipline in the Baltic region. The conference served as a platform for academic exchange, professional networking, and interdisciplinary dialogue. By fostering collaboration, the event sought to encourage joint research initiatives and strengthen regional academic ties.
Among the distinguished participants were Prof. Kaja Gadowska from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, who is also the president of the European Sociological Association (ESA). She delivered a keynote speech on academic freedom in Europe.
The conference was also honoured by the participation of Prof. Elina Oinas, vice president of the International Sociological Association (ISA). Alongside researchers and guests from Latvia and Estonia, the event brought together a broad community of Lithuanian sociologists. Notably, the conference was attended by the presidents of the Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian sociological associations, which underscored the significance of the event for strengthening regional sociological cooperation.
Left to right, Dr Renārs Felcis, president of the Latvian Sociological Association, Dr Elina Oinos, vice president of the International Sociological Association, Dr Diana Janušauskienė, president of the Lithuanian Sociological Association, Dr Kaja Gadowska, president of the European Sociological Association, and Dr Anu Masso, president of the Estonian Sociological Association
The renewed Baltic Readings initiative highlights the importance of regional scholarly collaboration and reinforces the role of sociology in addressing contemporary social challenges across the Baltic region.
Academician Aušra Maslauskaitė, Chair of the Division of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts
Photography Virginija Valuckienė
