At the end of 2024, three postdoctoral fellows joined the Vytautas Kavolis Transdisciplinary Research Institute of Vytautas Magnus University to conduct research on significant societal challenges. These postdoctoral fellowships are funded by the Lithuanian Research Council.
The Importance of Innovation in the Creative Industries
According to Dr. Deimantė Krisiukėnienė, who has joined the Kavolis Institute, the findings of her postdoctoral research, “Identification and Evaluation of the Innovation Diffusion Network in the Creative Industries,” will be valuable for policymakers and public authorities, helping to foster innovation growth in the creative industries sector.
The identification of the innovation diffusion network in the creative industries will reveal which sectoral collaborations have the greatest impact on innovation performance and highlight which sectors of the economy are most dependent on the creative industries’ performance.
From an economic perspective, this study will contribute to research on the broader impact of the creative industries by examining their role in innovation beyond their socio-economic influence. Innovation is a key driver of economic growth, and by accurately identifying intersectoral linkages, as well as promoting collaboration between the most relevant sectors, this research can significantly enhance the dissemination of innovation through networks in the creative industries.
The research is led by Dr. Asta Gaigalienė, a researcher at the V. Kavolis Institute and an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Management at Vytautas Magnus University.
Comparing Education Systems in Europe
Dr. Dovilė Stumbrienė will conduct a study titled “Comparative Analysis of Education Systems in European Countries: A Regional-Demographic Perspective.”
This postdoctoral fellowship will provide a comparative analysis of education systems across European countries, considering regional differences and proposing strategies to enhance national education outcomes. The study adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating educational effectiveness theory with demographic and operations research perspectives.
“The results will offer recommendations for education policymakers, helping to optimize resources by directing them toward key issues related to improving education quality. Additionally, the study will support the implementation of policy measures that account for the demographic and economic characteristics of different regions,” said Dr. Stumbrienė.
The research is supervised by Prof. Domantas Jasilionis, a researcher at the VDU V. Kavolis Institute and Head of the VDU Demographic Research Centre.
A Look at Italy’s Artistic Legacy
Aistė Bimbirytė, a postdoctoral fellow at the Kavolis Institute, will conduct research on the topic “Looking to the South: The Relationship of Lithuanian Collectors to the Italian Artistic Heritage of the 18th – Early 20th Century.”
This research aims to define the Lithuanian Italian relationship in the context of the formation of Lithuanian private collections between the first half of the 18th century and the first half of the 20th century. Utilizing previously unexamined or understudied notes, epistolary records, and archival materials from Italy, Poland, and Britain, the research seeks to highlight and clarify the priorities of Lithuanian collectors. It will also explore the content and sources of their collections, as well as address the issue of copying.
According to Dr. Bimbirytė, this research will provide deeper insight into the largely unexplored collections of Lithuanian collectors, which were undoubtedly significant in their time. It will trace the physical and conceptual journeys of those interested in Italian art in the Apennine Peninsula, examine their motivations, and help determine the origins of artworks brought to Lithuania—potentially identifying some of those still preserved in museums. “Finally, this study will make a significant contribution to research on the aesthetic thought of the period and allow for an evaluation of Lithuanian collectors’ choices in an international context,” said Dr. Bimbirytė.
The research is led by Dr. Aušra Vasiliauskienė, a researcher at the VDU V. Kavolis Institute and an associate professor at the VDU Faculty of Arts.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
