National Defence Academy of Latvia Research Conference 2025

On June 18, 2025, the National Defence Academy of Latvia (NDAL) hosted the NDAL Research Conference, bringing together NDAL cadets, permanent staff, and guests.

The main goal of the conference is to create a platform to exchange experience - cadets gain experience from officers and senior cadets on how to design a research project and how to present their research to a wider audience, thus inspiring younger cadets to conduct research with quality and interest. By getting cadets interested and involved in science, their future readiness to continue research activities is confirmed, which is a challenge in their future professional careers. 

This year, the scientific research topics of the conference were tactical and technical support in the performance of unit tasks and the improvement of soldier competencies. Research at the conference was presented by the best cadets of the NDAL bachelor's study programs “Military Command of Land Forces”, “Military Command of Naval Forces” and “Military Command of Air Forces”, as well as the professional study program “Commanding Officer”. These bachelor's and diploma theses were previously selected by the NDAL lecturers and scientific research thesis defense commission. Two master's theses were also presented during the conference.

At the end of the conference, in collaboration with the student corporation “Tervetia”, the “Golden Feather” award for excellent research work was presented for the first time. According to the jury and audience evaluation, the bachelor's thesis “The Importance of Early Warning of the Population in a Crisis Situation” by Lieutenant Mārcis Pīnups of the study program “Military Command of the Air Force” was recognized as the most outstanding research work of 2025.

At the end of the conference, there was an opportunity to talk with participants and listeners during a coffee break, thus gaining pleasant insights that the quality of research papers and presentation skills has increased, which confirms the level of professionalism of the NDAL teaching quality.

The vision for the future conferences is to continue to emphasize presenting research work to a wider audience by inviting representatives from other units.

Information prepared by:
National Defence Academy of Latvia
Department of Military Leadership Studies
senior lecturer
Captain Dagnija Ozola