Latvia International University

Global Vision, Academic Excellence

Faculty

Computer Science

Jure Petrovic – Professor of Computer Science

Jure Petrovic is a Professor of Computer Science at Latvia International University. He received his PhD from the University of Cambridge. Professor Petrovic specialises in artificial intelligence and machine learning, with a focus on data mining and autonomous systems. He has made significant contributions to algorithmic optimisation techniques and is widely cited for his work on intelligent data analysis. His research has shaped best practices in AI, and he frequently shares insights at international conferences and in leading journals.

Selected Publications:

  • Foundations of Machine Learning Algorithms, ISBN 978-0198754315, Oxford University Press, 2015.
  • Neural Network Optimisation Techniques, Vol. 29(No.4), IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks, 2017.
  • Data Mining in High-Dimensional Datasets, Vol. 15(No.1), Journal of Machine Learning Research, 2020.

Kadri Tamm – Associate Professor of Computer Science

Kadri Tamm is an Associate Professor of Computer Science who earned her PhD from the University of Tartu. Dr Tamm’s research interests lie in cybersecurity and distributed systems. She focuses on secure network infrastructure and blockchain technologies, helping to develop strategies for resilient internet systems. Known for her interdisciplinary approach, she collaborates widely on European cybersecurity initiatives. Her work on distributed ledger security has been influential in both academia and industry, reflecting her expertise in network resilience and cyber defence.

Selected Publications:

  • Cybersecurity Strategies for Networked Systems, Vol. 36(No.2), Computers & Security, 2018.
  • Secure Distributed Ledger Technologies, Vol. 4(No.1), Journal of Cybersecurity, 2019.
  • Resilience of Internet Infrastructure, Vol. 19(No.3), IEEE Security & Privacy, 2021.

João Pereira – Lecturer in Computer Science

João Pereira is a Lecturer in Computer Science and obtained his PhD from Imperial College London. His research centres on data science and big data analytics, especially their applications in business and finance. He specialises in cloud data integration and predictive modelling, developing intelligent systems for large-scale data analysis. Dr Pereira’s work bridges computer science and real-world problem solving, and he has published in several respected journals. He actively participates in collaborative projects to apply machine learning techniques to industry challenges.

Selected Publications:

  • Predictive Analytics with Big Data, Vol. 8(No.1), IEEE Transactions on Big Data, 2022.
  • Cloud Data Integration Techniques, Vol. 45(No.4), Information Systems, 2021.
  • Machine Learning for Financial Forecasting, Vol. 14(No.2), Data Science Journal, 2020.

Darius Petrauskas – Lecturer in Computer Science

Darius Petrauskas is a Lecturer in Computer Science. He earned his PhD from Vilnius University, specialising in software engineering and natural language processing. His research explores computational linguistics, with a particular interest in developing NLP tools for low-resource languages. Dr Petrauskas has contributed to the advancement of machine translation for Baltic languages and has developed software for morphological analysis. His expertise in language technology and software development brings a unique perspective to the department, and he has shared his findings in international peer-reviewed publications.

Selected Publications:

  • Natural Language Processing for Low-Resource Languages, Vol. 47(No.1), Computational Linguistics, 2023.
  • Machine Translation in Baltic Languages, Vol. 18(No.2), ACM Transactions on Asian and Low-Resource Language Information Processing, 2022.
  • Morphological Analysis Tools for Under-Resourced Languages, Vol. 27(No.4), Natural Language Engineering, 2021.

International Business & Economics

Luís Fernandes – Professor of International Business & Economics

Luís Fernandes is a Professor of International Business and Economics at Latvia International University. He received his PhD from Harvard University. Professor Fernandes’s expertise lies in international trade and global economic development. He has extensive experience researching foreign direct investment and emerging markets, and his analyses of global trade policies are highly regarded. He has advised governmental and international bodies on economic integration, and his scholarly work has appeared in top economics and business journals, underscoring his influence in the field.

Selected Publications:

  • Global Trade and Emerging Markets, ISBN 978-1108415070, Cambridge University Press, 2014.
  • Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America, Vol. 52(No.7), Journal of International Business Studies, 2018.
  • European Economic Integration and Growth, Vol. 81(No.2), European Economic Review, 2016.

Mateja Novak – Associate Professor of International Business & Economics

Mateja Novak is an Associate Professor of International Business and Economics. She completed her PhD at the University of Ljubljana. Dr Novak’s research focuses on sustainable economic development and innovation in transitional economies. She has particular expertise in the economic reforms of Central and Eastern Europe, examining how sustainable business practices drive growth in emerging markets. Her work often intersects policy and economics, and she contributes to international research networks on economic policy reform. Dr Novak’s publications highlight the role of innovation and green strategies in post-transition economic success.

Selected Publications:

  • Sustainable Development in Transition Economies, Vol. 22(No.4), Journal of Economic Policy Reform, 2019.
  • Innovation and Growth in Central Europe, Vol. 15(No.3), Post-Communist Economies, 2020.
  • Green Business Strategies in Emerging Markets, Vol. 7(No.1), International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 2021.

Mark Camilleri – Associate Professor of International Business & Economics

Mark Camilleri is an Associate Professor of International Business and Economics with a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. His research specialisation is in tourism economics and digital marketing strategies, particularly within small island states. Dr Camilleri has examined how sustainable tourism contributes to economic growth and how digital innovation can enhance the hospitality industry. His expertise in small economy development has made him a sought-after consultant for regional development projects. He is known for his insightful case studies on Malta’s economic strategies and has published widely on tourism management and marketing.

Selected Publications:

  • Tourism Development in Small Island States, ISBN 978-3319932597, Emerald Publishing, 2017.
  • Sustainable Tourism and Economic Growth, Vol. 29(No.3), Journal of Travel Research, 2019.
  • Digital Marketing Strategies in Hospitality, Vol. 66(No.1), Tourism Management, 2021.

Jaan Orav – Lecturer in International Business & Economics

Jaan Orav is a Lecturer in International Business and Economics, holding a PhD from the Stockholm School of Economics. His research is centred on entrepreneurship and innovation policy. In particular, Dr Orav investigates startup ecosystems and the impact of digital entrepreneurship on economic development. He has a keen interest in how government policies facilitate small and medium enterprise (SME) growth in the Baltic region and beyond. Through his research publications, he brings contemporary insights on entrepreneurial behaviour and innovation management to his teaching, preparing students for the evolving global marketplace.

Selected Publications:

  • Startup Ecosystems in the Baltic Region, Vol. 12(No.2), Baltic Journal of Management, 2020.
  • Digital Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets, Vol. 9(No.1), International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 2021.
  • Innovation Policy and SME Growth, Vol. 55(No.4), Small Business Economics, 2022.

Music

Carmen Vella – Professor of Music

Carmen Vella is a Professor of Music at Latvia International University. She earned her PhD from King’s College London. Professor Vella is an esteemed ethnomusicologist, specialising in Mediterranean musical traditions and sacred music. She has conducted extensive field research on Maltese folk and liturgical music, exploring how music reflects cultural identity. An accomplished scholar, she has published a well-received book on regional musical heritage and numerous articles in leading musicology journals. Professor Vella’s work has significantly contributed to the preservation and understanding of Mediterranean music cultures.

Selected Publications:

  • Mediterranean Musical Traditions, ISBN 978-1138259857, Routledge, 2016.
  • Folklore and Music in Malta, Vol. 48(No.1), Ethnomusicology, 2019.
  • Sacred Music and Cultural Identity, Vol. 33(No.2), Journal of Musicology, 2017.

Catarina Oliveira – Associate Professor of Music

Catarina Oliveira is an Associate Professor of Music who obtained her PhD from the University of Coimbra. Her academic interests include ethnomusicology and music education, with a particular focus on Portuguese musical genres. Dr Oliveira has researched urban soundscapes and the tradition of Fado, providing new insights into Portugal’s cultural heritage through music. She also explores historical performance practices, especially in guitar music of the Baroque period. Her publications in international journals underscore her dual commitment to musicological research and contemporary music education in Europe.

Selected Publications:

  • Fado and Urban Soundscapes, Vol. 67(No.2), Ethnomusicology, 2020.
  • Historical Performance Practice in Baroque Guitar, Vol. 74(No.1), Early Music, 2019.
  • Music Education in Contemporary Europe, Vol. 45(No.3), International Journal of Music Education, 2018.

Egle Balciunaite – Lecturer in Music

Egle Balciunaite is a Lecturer in Music with a PhD from Vilnius University. She is a musicologist specialising in folk music and choral traditions. Dr Balciunaite’s research delves into the polyphonic folk songs of Lithuania and the broader Baltic region. She examines how traditional choral music informs national identity and contemporary composition. Her work often bridges ethnomusicology and performance, as she collaborates with ensembles to revive and document traditional melodies. Dr Balciunaite has presented her findings at international musicology conferences and published research on the preservation of folk music heritage.

Selected Publications:

  • Polyphonic Folk Songs of Lithuania, Vol. 62(No.1), Ethnomusicology, 2020.
  • Choral Traditions in the Baltic States, Vol. 28(No.3), International Review of the Aesthetics and Sociology of Music, 2021.
  • Contemporary Approaches to Folk Music Arrangement, Vol. 13(No.2), Journal of Music and Meaning, 2019.

International Relations & Diplomacy

Toomas Kask – Professor of International Relations & Diplomacy

Toomas Kask is a Professor of International Relations and Diplomacy. He obtained his PhD from the University of Oxford. Professor Kask’s expertise includes cyber diplomacy and European security policy. He has been at the forefront of research on international cybersecurity cooperation and the strategic challenges faced by the Baltic region. As a leading scholar in foreign policy analysis, he has advised on NATO policy and EU diplomatic initiatives. His authoritative book on cyber diplomacy and numerous articles in prestigious journals highlight his impact on contemporary diplomatic studies.

Selected Publications:

  • Cyber Diplomacy in the 21st Century, ISBN 978-0198757705, Oxford University Press, 2018.
  • European Cybersecurity Cooperation, Vol. 94(No.5), International Affairs, 2018.
  • Baltic Security and NATO Policy, Vol. 40(No.4), Journal of Baltic Studies, 2019.

Josephine Borg – Professor of International Relations & Diplomacy

Josephine Borg is a Professor of International Relations and Diplomacy at Latvia International University. She earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge. Professor Borg is renowned for her work on small states diplomacy and Mediterranean regional affairs. Having served in diplomatic advisory roles, she brings practical experience to her academic analysis of how nations like Malta navigate international politics. Her research on conflict mediation and EU foreign policy is highly influential, reflecting a career dedicated to understanding and improving international negotiation strategies. She has authored important works on diplomacy that are used by scholars and practitioners alike.

Selected Publications:

  • Small States and Diplomacy: Malta’s Role in International Affairs, ISBN 978-1137574326, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
  • Mediation Strategies in International Conflicts, Vol. 26(No.3), International Negotiation, 2021.
  • EU Foreign Policy in the Mediterranean, Vol. 56(No.5), Journal of Common Market Studies, 2018.

Nina Kovač – Associate Professor of International Relations & Diplomacy

Nina Kovač is an Associate Professor of International Relations and Diplomacy who received her PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her research focuses on European integration and conflict resolution. Dr Kovač has a special interest in the diplomacy of EU enlargement and the promotion of democratic reforms in the Western Balkans. She has worked on international mediation efforts and often examines the role of the EU in resolving regional conflicts. Her scholarly publications reflect her deep engagement with peace studies and the dynamics of international negotiation within Europe.

Selected Publications:

  • EU Enlargement and Democratic Reforms, Vol. 69(No.4), Europe-Asia Studies, 2017.
  • Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution in the Balkans, Vol. 56(No.1), Journal of Peace Research, 2019.
  • International Mediation in EU External Relations, Vol. 12(No.2), Foreign Policy Analysis, 2020.

Tomas Vilkas – Lecturer in International Relations & Diplomacy

Tomas Vilkas is a Lecturer in International Relations and Diplomacy. He completed his PhD at Vilnius University. His research examines conflict resolution, international law, and regional security cooperation. Dr Vilkas is particularly interested in how international organisations facilitate peace and security, with an emphasis on the Baltic region’s collaborative defence initiatives. He has contributed to studies on United Nations diplomacy and human rights advocacy. Through his teaching and research, Dr Vilkas provides students with a nuanced understanding of contemporary diplomatic challenges and solutions, backed by his publications in respected IR journals.

Selected Publications:

  • Conflict Resolution in International Diplomacy, Vol. 37(No.2), Negotiation and Conflict Management Research, 2021.
  • Human Rights Diplomacy at the United Nations, Vol. 58(No.1), International Studies Quarterly, 2022.
  • Regional Security Cooperation in the Baltics, Vol. 19(No.3), Journal of Baltic Security, 2020.