Academic CentreHistory
1919-1944
The University of Latvia named at that time "The Latvia Higher School" was founded on September 28, 1919 on the basis of the former Riga Polytechnic (founded in 1862). In 1923 this school received its now resumed name - the University of Latvia (Universitas Latviensis). The Department of Pedagogy (in Latvian - Pedagoģijas nodaļa) was established at the Faculty of Philology and Philosophy. The first head of the Department was assistant professor Kārlis Kundziņš.
1944-1948
On October 1, 1944 the new Department of Pedagogy (in Latvian - Pedagoģijas katedra) was established and it was led by assistant professor Roberts Miķelsons.
1948-1958
In 1948 the Department of Psychology was added to the Department of Pedagogy. The head of this joint department was assistant professor Milda Drīzule. Until 1958 this joint department was a unit of the Faculty of History and Philology.
1958-1996
In 1958-1959 the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology becomes a permanent department. It was led by: assistant professor, later professor Jānis Anspaks (from 1960 till 1973); assistant professor Ludvigs Grudulis (from 1973 till 1983); professor Ausma Špona (from 1983 till 1996). In 1982 the Faculty of Education and Psychology was founded, the first head of it was assistant professor Gunārs Gulbis (1982-1986). In 1986-1990 the UL Scientific Council in the field of pedagogical science was working actively. 40 scientists have obtained their PhD degree in Pedagogy.
1996-2006
On June 17, 1996 the UL Senate adopted the decision No. 53 "On the establishing the permanent Institute of Education and Psychology of the University of Latvia". The Rector's order - to reorganize the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology into the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology on August 1, 1996. The heads if the Institute: in 1996-2000 professor Ausma Špona; in 2000-2002 professor Tatjana Koķe; in 2002-2003 professor Aīda Krūze. The Institute was a base for doctoral studies in pedagogy and psychology in Latvia. In 2004, the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology was integrated as the Department of Pedagogy in the Faculty of Education and Psychology.
Since 2007
The Scientific Institute of Pedagogy at the Faculty of Education and Psychology was founded in accordance with the UL Senate's decision No. 283 on 29 January 2007. The first head of the Institute was professor Irina Maslo. The first chair of the Scientific Council of the Institute was professor Aīda Krūze. In 2010 the Faculty of Education and Psychology was renamed as the Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art of the University of Latvia in accordance with the UL Senate's decision No. 350 on 29 March 2010. Therefore the Institute becomes the unit of the Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art of the University of Latvia (UL FEPA SIP).
Since 2015
The Head of the Insitute is leading researcher Manuel-Joaquín Fernández-González. Currently the Scientific Institute of Pedagogy is structural unit of the Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art of the University of Latvia (UL FEPA SIP). It cooperates actively within the Center of Humanities and Education Sciences (HES) of the University of Latvia.
Since 2017
The Head of the Insitute is professor and leading researcher Linda Daniela.