Baltic Sea Region Network (BSRN)
Baltic Sea Region Network in Personalized Health Care is a multi-disciplinary and cross-national network of the universities of the countries of the Baltic Sea Region. The aim of the network is to offer doctoral students in health sciences a systematically built, scientifically ambitious, and multidisciplinary research training which benefits from Baltic Sea Region contacts. It is expected that the network will contribute to the further improvement of the scientific standard of personalized healthcare research and increase the number of internationally competitive experts in Baltic Sea Region. It is notable, that personalized health care is an important element in many health promotion strategies.
Personalized healthcare is considered as a broad concept that includes novel concepts for patient assessment for the delivery of personalized and/or preventive healthcare interventions. Combining data and knowledge from different areas and pooling resources will pave the way for designing novel more personalized healthcare interventions. The focus is on demonstrating substantial improvements in patient health, well-being, the quality of life and extended functional capabilities by offering personalised and integrated healthcare services.
The following universities have joined the network:
- Southern Denmark University, Odense, Denmark
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
- Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
- Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
- University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
- University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- University of Turku, Turku, Finland
The network was established in 2015 and is currently coordinated by the University of Turku, Finland. The network has regular virtual and face-to-face meetings to develop doctoral training, funding proposals and collaborative research. Summer schools have been arranged since 2016 and many doctoral candidates and professors/senior researchers have participated in these stimulating events. Furthermore, conferences targeted to doctoral candidates are arranged usually in November.
Board Members
The Academic Board was established 8th of June 2015. The board members are:
- Southern Denmark University: Lisbeth Rosenbek Minet & Hanne Kaae Kristensen
- Karolinska Institutet: Kay Sundberg & Susanne Guidetti
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences: Tobba Therkildsen Sudmann
- Klaipeda University: Alona Rauckiene-Michaelsson
- Vilnius University: Natalja Istomina
- Rīga Stradiņš University: Kristaps Circenis
- University of Tartu: Mari Kangasniemi
- Medical University of Gdansk: Anna Michalik
- University of Lübeck: Katrin Balzer
- UTU: Hannakaisa Niela-Vilen (chair)
Summer Schools
9th Summer School of BSRN
University of Lübeck, Germany, May 6-8, 2026
Health promotion and prevention – the future pathway to healthier societies?
The purpose of the Summer school for PhD students is to learn and reflect on new aspects of health sciences, develop scientific argumentation skills, and exchange feedback in a supportive atmosphere. Additionally, it aims to strengthen collaboration within the Baltic Sea Region Network and build connections around shared research interests.
Benefits for PhD participants
- Experience the international scientific community and meet fellow PhD students
- Participate in inspiring keynotes and lectures by European researchers
- Meet senior health care scientists and discuss their research areas and experiences
- Acquire three (3) ECTS credit points
Application
PhD-students must apply via their own institution. The application period starts on January 1st and ends on February 15th, 2026. Each institution can register up to 5 participants.
More information coming soon.
- 2024 University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- 2023 Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- 2022 Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
- 2021 University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- 2019 Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
- 2018 University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- 2017 University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- 2016 University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
