Kingman International College

Our Faculty

Minds That Inspire, Paths That Transform

At Kingman International College, our faculty are the quiet architects of curiosity, hailing from the lesser-trodden corners of the European Union—places like the misty coasts of Estonia, the rolling hills of Slovakia, and the historic streets of Lithuania. Many arrived under Latvia’s welcoming academic mobility schemes, which since 2024 have eased the way for EU educators to contribute without the immediate burden of language hurdles, allowing up to six years of focused scholarship before deeper integration. Drawing from the diverse, introspective bios of colleagues at Imperial College London and the London School of Economics, our professors blend rigorous expertise with personal anecdotes that reveal the human side of academia: the thrill of a eureka moment in a dimly lit lab, or the occasional frustration of a dataset that stubbornly refuses to cooperate. They are not infallible demigods but passionate guides, occasionally admitting to a misstep in a lecture that sparks even greater debate. With PhDs from institutions like Tallinn University of Technology or Comenius University, they bring a Baltic nuance to global challenges, mentoring our students across secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. Meet the team that’s turning Jelgava’s scholarly whispers into worldwide echoes.

Computer Science Faculty

Dr. Andris Liepa Senior Lecturer in Computer Science

Dr. Andris Liepa, originally from the windswept dunes of Liepāja in Latvia, joined Kingman in 2018 after a stint as a research fellow at Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia, facilitated by Latvia’s streamlined EU Blue Card provisions for skilled academics. Holding a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Tartu (2015), Andris specialises in machine learning applications for sustainable urban planning, with a penchant for neural networks that mimic natural ecosystems. His teaching spans A-level coding foundations to MSc theses on ethical AI, where he encourages students to wrestle with algorithms that occasionally glitch in the most poetic ways—reminding us that even code has its rebellious streaks. Before academia, he tinkered with indie game development in Riga’s startup scene, a hobby that still sneaks into his project-based modules. Andris has supervised over 40 theses, blending Latvian pragmatism with Estonian innovation to prepare graduates for Baltic tech hubs like Bolt and Twilio.

Selected Publications:

  • “Adaptive Neural Architectures for Baltic Climate Forecasting,” Journal of Machine Learning Research, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 567-589, DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2301.04567, 2023.
  • “Ethical Bias Mitigation in Urban AI Systems,” IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 4, Issue 2, pp. 112-130, DOI: 10.1109/TAI.2022.3156789, 2022.
  • “Gamified Learning Environments for Secondary Coders,” Computers & Education, Vol. 189, Article 104592, DOI: 10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104592, 2021.

Dr. Katrin Saar Lecturer in Cybersecurity

From the forested edges of Tartu, Estonia, Dr. Katrin Saar made her way to Kingman in 2020, drawn by Latvia’s academic visa pathways that prioritise cross-Baltic talent exchanges under the EU’s Researchers’ Directive. With a PhD in Network Security from Aalto University in Finland (2017), Katrin focuses on cybersecurity for IoT devices in smart cities, often weaving in real-world scenarios from Jelgava’s emerging digital infrastructure. Her classes, from undergraduate data protection seminars to postgraduate vulnerability assessments, emphasise hands-on ethical hacking—complete with the odd server hiccup that turns into a teachable triumph. A former consultant for Estonian e-governance projects, she now mentors student hackathons, fostering a no-judgment zone where failures fuel firewalls. Katrin’s work has bolstered regional collaborations, including joint grants with Riga Technical University.

Selected Publications:

  • “Quantum-Resistant Encryption for Baltic IoT Networks,” ACM Transactions on Privacy and Security, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 45-68, DOI: 10.1145/3599274, 2024.
  • “Human Factors in Phishing Simulations: Lessons from Estonia,” Journal of Cybersecurity, Vol. 10, Article oxad015, DOI: 10.1093/cybsec/oxad015, 2023.
  • “Secure Data Pipelines for Cross-Border E-Health,” International Journal of Information Management, Vol. 62, Article 102456, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102456, 2022.

Prof. Jaanus Kask Professor of Algorithms and Data Science

Prof. Jaanus Kask, a native of Pärnu, Estonia, settled into Kingman in 2016 via Latvia’s employment permit for highly qualified EU professionals, which sidesteps lengthy bureaucracies for those with proven research pedigrees. His DSc in Algorithms from the University of Helsinki (2012) informs his expertise in big data analytics for environmental monitoring, bridging secondary data literacy workshops with advanced MSc simulations. Jaanus’s lectures are legendary for their dry wit, often punctuated by tales of a particularly stubborn optimisation problem that kept him up all night—proof that even professors nod off mid-equation. Prior to Kingman, he led data teams at an Estonian renewable energy firm, experiences that now infuse his capstone projects with practical grit.

Selected Publications:

  • “Scalable Graph Algorithms for Ecosystem Mapping,” SIAM Journal on Computing, Vol. 53, No. 3, pp. 789-812, DOI: 10.1137/22M1489023, 2025.
  • “Privacy-Preserving Data Fusion in Multi-Agent Systems,” Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, Vol. 78, pp. 234-267, DOI: 10.1613/jair.1.13456, 2023.
  • “Introductory Analytics for High School Curricula,” Educational Technology Research and Development, Vol. 71, Issue 4, pp. 1567-1589, DOI: 10.1007/s11423-023-10234-5, 2022.

Economics Faculty

Dr. Rūta Petrauskaitė Associate Professor of Econometrics

Dr. Rūta Petrauskaitė, hailing from the amber shores of Klaipėda, Lithuania, arrived at Kingman in 2019 under the EU’s mutual recognition of qualifications, which smoothed her transition from Vilnius University. Her PhD in Applied Economics from the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences (2014) drives her research in behavioural econometrics for sustainable policy, from A-level market dynamics to MSc impact evaluations. Rūta’s seminars buzz with energy, though she confesses to the rare off-day when a regression model spits out absurdities, turning class into a collective debugging session. A former advisor to Lithuanian green initiatives, she now co-leads our Economics Symposium, nurturing students who blend data with heart.

Selected Publications:

  • “Behavioural Nudges in Baltic Carbon Markets,” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Vol. 124, Article 102945, DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2024.102945, 2024.
  • “Econometric Forecasting of EU Trade Shifts Post-Brexit,” European Economic Review, Vol. 162, Article 104678, DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2023.104678, 2023.
  • “Introductory Models for Secondary Economic Education,” Economics of Education Review, Vol. 89, Article 102289, DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102289, 2021.

Dr. Tomas Novotný Lecturer in Development Economics

From the spa towns of Piešťany in Slovakia, Dr. Tomas Novotný joined us in 2021, leveraging Latvia’s fast-track residence for EU academics with doctoral credentials. His PhD from Comenius University in Bratislava (2016) centres on inclusive growth in post-transition economies, informing modules from undergraduate sustainable development to postgraduate fieldwork. Tomas’s passion shines in his storytelling—admitting with a chuckle to once miscalculating a growth projection that sparked a student’s brilliant counter-theory. With prior roles at Slovak think tanks, he bridges theory and policy, guiding theses that influence local Latvian reports.

Selected Publications:

  • “Inclusive Metrics for Post-Soviet Growth Trajectories,” World Development, Vol. 178, Article 106567, DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106567, 2024.
  • “Game Theory in Regional Development Aid,” Journal of Development Economics, Vol. 165, Article 103156, DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103156, 2023.
  • “Economic Literacy in High School Contexts,” Journal of Economic Education, Vol. 54, Issue 2, pp. 89-110, DOI: 10.1080/00220485.2022.2156789, 2022.

Prof. Inga Kalniete Professor of Macroeconomics

Prof. Inga Kalniete, born in the rural idyll of Cēsis, Latvia, has been a cornerstone here since 2013, her career unencumbered by immigration formalities as a native EU citizen. Her PhD from the Stockholm School of Economics (2009) fuels her work on macroeconomic resilience in small open economies, spanning secondary introductions to MA policy analyses. Inga’s classes feel like fireside chats, laced with admissions of early-career blunders—like overlooking a fiscal multiplier that upended a model—fueling her empathy for struggling postgrads. A veteran of Latvian economic reforms, she mentors with quiet wisdom.

Selected Publications:

  • “Fiscal Policy in Baltic Volatility Cycles,” Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Vol. 127, No. 1, pp. 45-72, DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.12567, 2025.
  • “Sustainable Macroeconomics for EU Peripheries,” Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Vol. 86, Issue 3, pp. 456-478, DOI: 10.1111/obes.12589, 2023.
  • “Teaching Macro Foundations at A-Level,” International Review of Economics Education, Vol. 42, Article 100234, DOI: 10.1016/j.iree.2022.100234, 2021.

Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Petra Vargová Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management

Dr. Petra Vargová, from the Carpathian foothills of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, integrated into Kingman in 2022 via Latvia’s EU work authorisation for business educators. Her PhD in Corporate Strategy from the University of Economics in Prague (2018) shapes her focus on ethical entrepreneurship in emerging markets, from secondary business simulations to MBA capstones. Petra’s workshops hum with interactivity, though she shares laughs over a negotiation role-play that once devolved into friendly chaos. Ex-advisor to Slovak SMEs, she ignites student ventures through our incubator.

Selected Publications:

  • “Ethical Strategies in Baltic Supply Chains,” Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 46, No. 5, pp. 890-912, DOI: 10.1002/smj.3567, 2024.
  • “Mergers in Post-Transition Economies,” Journal of Business Research, Vol. 158, Article 113678, DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113678, 2023.
  • “Entrepreneurship Basics for High Schoolers,” Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, Vol. 6, Issue 3, pp. 345-367, DOI: 10.1177/25151274221145678, 2022.

Dr. Lukas Žemlička Lecturer in Marketing Analytics

Hailing from the historic quarters of Olomouc in the Czech Republic—a quieter EU gem—Dr. Lukas Žemlička arrived in 2020, benefiting from Latvia’s reciprocal academic postings. His PhD in Marketing from Masaryk University (2015) drives analytics for consumer behaviour in digital economies, across undergraduate campaigns to postgraduate metrics. Lukas’s flair for visuals shines, but he owns up to a dashboard demo that once froze mid-presentation, turning it into an impromptu lesson on adaptability. From Czech ad agencies, he now crafts data-driven pitches.

Selected Publications:

  • “AI-Driven Personalisation in EU Markets,” Journal of Marketing, Vol. 89, No. 2, pp. 123-145, DOI: 10.1177/00222429241234567, 2025.
  • “Consumer Analytics in Sustainable Branding,” International Journal of Research in Marketing, Vol. 41, Issue 1, pp. 56-78, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijresmar.2023.12.003, 2023.
  • “Marketing Simulations for Undergrads,” Journal of Marketing Education, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 234-256, DOI: 10.1177/02734753221145678, 2022.

Prof. Marija Skuja Professor of Operations Management

Prof. Marija Skuja, a Jelgava local with roots in Kurzeme, Latvia, has enriched our halls since 2014, her path unhindered by borders. Her PhD from the University of Latvia (2010) informs operations for resilient supply chains, from A-level logistics to executive tracks. Marija’s precision is legendary, yet she recounts with warmth a supply model overrun by variables, a “beautiful mess” that refined her teaching. A consultant to Baltic ports, she forges practical leaders.

Selected Publications:

  • “Resilient Operations in Geopolitical Flux,” Production and Operations Management, Vol. 34, No. 6, pp. 1123-1145, DOI: 10.1111/poms.14123, 2024.
  • “Circular Economy Logistics in the Baltics,” Omega, Vol. 118, Article 102567, DOI: 10.1016/j.omega.2023.102567, 2023.
  • “Operations Basics for Secondary Students,” Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, Vol. 21, Issue 2, pp. 189-210, DOI: 10.1111/dsji.12345, 2022.

International Relations Faculty

Dr. Eglė Morkūnaitė Associate Professor of Global Governance

From the seaside vibes of Palanga, Lithuania, Dr. Eglė Morkūnaitė settled at Kingman in 2017, aided by Latvia’s EU intra-mobility for social scientists. Her PhD in International Security from Vilnius University (2013) centres on EU enlargement and hybrid threats, spanning secondary geopolitics to MA diplomacy. Eglė’s debates crackle with insight, admitting to a mock negotiation that veered hilariously off-script. From Lithuanian foreign policy circles, she sharpens diplomatic minds.

Selected Publications:

  • “Hybrid Threats in Baltic-EU Relations,” European Journal of International Relations, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 345-367, DOI: 10.1177/13540661241234567, 2024.
  • “Migration Policy Post-Ukraine Crisis,” International Migration Review, Vol. 58, Issue 3, pp. 789-812, DOI: 10.1177/01979183231145678, 2023.
  • “Geopolitics for A-Levels,” Journal of Political Science Education, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 56-78, DOI: 10.1080/15512169.2022.2034567, 2022.

Dr. Filip Horváth Lecturer in Conflict Resolution

Dr. Filip Horváth, from the Danube bends of Komárno, Slovakia, joined in 2023 under Latvia’s academic talent visa. His PhD from Charles University in Prague (2019) explores peacebuilding in post-conflict zones, from undergrad debates to fieldwork theses. Filip’s empathy shines, sharing stories of a resolution simulation that hit emotional snags, forging deeper understanding. Ex-mediator in Slovak NGOs, he builds bridges.

Selected Publications:

  • “Ethnographic Tools for Baltic Conflict Zones,” Journal of Peace Research, Vol. 62, No. 4, pp. 567-589, DOI: 10.1177/00223433241234567, 2025.
  • “Digital Diplomacy in Eastern Europe,” Global Policy, Vol. 15, Issue 2, pp. 234-256, DOI: 10.1111/1758-5899.12345, 2023.
  • “Intro to IR for High School,” International Studies Perspectives, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 123-145, DOI: 10.1093/isp/ekac012, 2022.

Prof. Zane Bērziņa Professor of European Integration

Prof. Zane Bērziņa, Latvian through and through from Sigulda’s Gauja Valley, has been here since 2011. Her PhD from the University of Tartu (2007) dissects EU policies, from secondary EU basics to doctoral critiques. Zane’s rigour is tempered by humour, like a policy puzzle that once stumped her for days. A Riga diplomat alumna, she inspires global citizens.

Selected Publications:

  • “EU Enlargement: Baltic Perspectives,” Journal of Common Market Studies, Vol. 63, No. 1, pp. 89-110, DOI: 10.1111/jcms.13567, 2025.
  • “Brexit Ripples on Eastern Borders,” Foreign Affairs, Vol. 102, Issue 4, pp. 456-478, DOI: 10.1017/S0003055423000123, 2023.
  • “Teaching Integration at Secondary Level,” European Political Science, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 167-189, DOI: 10.1057/s41304-022-00345-6, 2021.

Industrial Design Faculty

Dr. Liene Ozoliņa Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Design

Dr. Liene Ozoliņa, from Ventspils on Latvia’s coast, joined in 2019 as an EU national. Her PhD from the Latvian Academy of Art (2015) champions eco-materials, from secondary sketches to MDes prototypes. Liene’s studios overflow with creativity, confessing to a prototype flop that recycled into genius. From Baltic craft collectives, she sparks green innovators.

Selected Publications:

  • “Biomimicry in Latvian Timber Design,” Design Studies, Vol. 92, Article 101456, DOI: 10.1016/j.destud.2024.101456, 2024.
  • “User-Centred Prototyping for Rural Mobility,” Journal of Design Research, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 345-367, DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2023.134567, 2023.
  • “Design Workshops for Teens,” International Journal of Technology and Design Education, Vol. 33, Issue 4, pp. 1567-1589, DOI: 10.1007/s10798-022-09789-0, 2022.

Dr. Marko Kovačič Lecturer in Product Innovation

From Slovenia’s Julian Alps town of Kranj, Dr. Marko Kovačič arrived in 2021 via EU free movement. His PhD from the University of Ljubljana (2017) targets adaptive products, across BDes iterations to research studios. Marko’s energy is infectious, owning a 3D print jam that became a class legend. Ex-designer for Adriatic firms, he prototypes futures.

Selected Publications:

  • “Eco-Adaptive Furniture for Aging Demographics,” Journal of Product Innovation Management, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 234-256, DOI: 10.1111/jpim.12789, 2025.
  • “CAD Innovations in Baltic Prototyping,” CoDesign, Vol. 20, Issue 1, pp. 45-68, DOI: 10.1080/15710882.2023.2189012, 2023.
  • “Introductory Sketching for Undergrads,” Design and Technology Education, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 12-34, DOI: 10.21061/jte.v28i1.a.1, 2022.

Prof. Elina Rinkēviča Professor of Industrial Aesthetics

Prof. Elina Rinkēviča, a Daugavpils Latvian, has taught since 2012. Her PhD from the Royal Danish Academy (2008) fuses aesthetics with function, from high school CAD to theses. Elina’s critiques are sharp yet kind, recalling a colour scheme debacle that bloomed beautifully. From Nordic-Baltic exchanges, she elevates form.

Selected Publications:

  • “Aesthetic Functionality in Sustainable Prototypes,” The Design Journal, Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 456-478, DOI: 10.1080/14606925.2025.2300123, 2025.
  • “Cultural Influences on Baltic Design,” Journal of Design History, Vol. 36, Issue 2, pp. 123-145, DOI: 10.1093/jdh/epac045, 2023.
  • “Aesthetics Education at Secondary,” Visual Arts Research, Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 67-89, DOI: 10.5406/visuartsrese.49.1.0067, 2021.

Mechanical Engineering Faculty

Dr. Ģirts Zariņš Associate Professor of Dynamics

Dr. Ģirts Zariņš, from Rēzekne in Latvia’s east, joined in 2018. His PhD from Riga Technical University (2014) probes renewable mechanics, from A-level physics to MEng robotics. Ģirts’s labs thrum, with tales of a gear slip that taught torque’s whims. From local engineering firms, he builds momentum.

Selected Publications:

  • “Vibration Damping in Gulf Turbines,” Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 147, No. 4, pp. 567-589, DOI: 10.1115/1.4067890, 2024.
  • “Robotics for Zemgale Renewables,” Mechanism and Machine Theory, Vol. 185, Article 105678, DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2023.105678, 2023.
  • “Mechanics Labs for High School,” International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, Vol. 51, Issue 3, pp. 234-256, DOI: 10.1177/03064190221145678, 2022.

Dr. Saara Niemi Lecturer in Thermodynamics

From Finland’s Ostrobothnia—a Nordic outlier—Dr. Saara Niemi came in 2022 under EU directives. Her PhD from Lappeenranta University (2018) heats up energy systems, across BEng simulations to advanced. Saara’s demos sizzle, minus the one boil-over that steamed up laughs. Ex-researcher in Finnish cleantech, she fuels efficiency.

Selected Publications:

  • “Thermodynamic Optimisation for Baltic Winds,” Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 298, Article 117890, DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117890, 2024.
  • “Fluid Dynamics in Micro-Turbines,” Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 234, Article 121234, DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.121234, 2023.
  • “Intro Thermodynamics for Undergrads,” European Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 345-367, DOI: 10.1080/03043797.2022.2156789, 2022.

Prof. Juris Balodis Professor of Robotics

Prof. Juris Balodis, Jelgava-born, has anchored us since 2010. His PhD from Lund University (2006) advances swarm robotics, from secondary contraptions to theses. Juris’s prototypes whir, echoing a jammed servo that jammed ideas loose. From Swedish-Latvian labs, he engineers tomorrow.

Selected Publications:

  • “Swarm Coordination for Renewable Harvesting,” IEEE Transactions on Robotics, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 123-145, DOI: 10.1109/TRO.2024.3456789, 2025.
  • “Bio-Inspired Mechanics in Baltic Contexts,” Journal of Field Robotics, Vol. 40, Issue 5, pp. 789-812, DOI: 10.1002/rob.22234, 2023.
  • “Robotics Foundations at A-Level,” Technology and Engineering Teacher, Vol. 83, No. 4, pp. 12-34, DOI: 10.21061/tee.v83i4.a.1, 2021.