European Researchers’ Night 2026: Explore Marine and Freshwater Science at LHEI
On 25 September, European Researchers’ Night 2026 will take place across Latvia. The Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LHEI) invites visitors to its research site at Voleru Street 4 in Riga, where from 17:00 to 22:00 everyone will have the opportunity to discover marine and freshwater research up close, meet scientists and take part in interactive activities. Organised groups are also welcome from 15:00 to 17:00 with prior registration.
European Researchers’ Night is a Europe-wide initiative bringing science closer to society. In Latvia, universities, higher education institutions and research institutes will open their doors at more than 30 locations, offering free experiments, workshops, demonstrations and opportunities to meet researchers.
This year’s theme in Latvia, “Discover the Nature of Science!”, invites visitors to explore science in all its diversity – not only in laboratories, but also in nature, technology, culture and everyday life. It highlights how scientific knowledge is created and how research helps us understand and address challenges that matter to society. The theme is closely connected to LHEI’s everyday work: observing and understanding processes in the Baltic Sea and Latvia’s freshwater ecosystems.
During Researchers’ Night, visitors will be able to meet LHEI scientists, explore research methods and equipment, and discover how information about aquatic environments is collected and analysed. The activities will introduce visitors to topics including the Baltic Sea ecosystem and its long-term changes, water quality, seabed habitats, plankton and benthic organisms, non-indigenous species, pollution and the impacts of human activities on aquatic environments.
The aim is to show not only what scientists study, but also how research is carried out – from collecting samples and observing organisms to analysing data and assessing the ecological condition of marine and freshwater ecosystems.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to explore the mobile classroom of the Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia. Through interactive activities and educational materials, participants will be able to learn more about Latvia’s biodiversity, natural processes and the importance of nature conservation through observation, exploration and hands-on participation.
The Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LHEI) is a scientific institute and an agency of Daugavpils University. Its research focuses on the environment and ecology of the Baltic Sea and Latvia’s inland waters. LHEI conducts both fundamental and applied research as well as marine environmental monitoring. Its research covers the ecological status and long-term changes of the Baltic Sea, biodiversity, plankton and benthic organisms, non-indigenous species, pollution, coastal habitats and human impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The institute participates in Latvian and international research projects, contributing scientific knowledge and solutions for the sustainable management of marine and freshwater ecosystems.
The Researchers’ Night activities draw on knowledge, research methods and experience developed within the BioFloat, CLEAN Beach, COCORICO, FUCUS, GEOSITES, GORSMART, GYPREG, LIFE QuietWaters, MarTe, MP-Arctic and Sedi-Q, LZP-2024/1-0524 projects.
Join us in Riga and discover the nature of aquatic science together with LHEI!
Practical information
General visitors:
📅 25 September 2026
🕔 17:00–22:00
🎟️ Admission is free
Adress: Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Voleru Street 4, Riga, LV-1007, Latvia
Coordinates: 56°59’27.4″N 24°05’05.1″E
