ISC 2026 RECAP

Riga Stradins University (RSU) hosted the 12th International Student Conference in Health and Social Sciences (ISC 2026) on 26–27 March 2026 in Riga, Latvia. The conference brought together young researchers from around the world, confirming its position as one of the leading student scientific conferences in Northern Europe.

This year, 504 abstracts from 17 countries were submitted, with 397 authors accepted to participate. More than 4500 participants registered for the conference, while 122 students presented their research across 34 scientific sections in medicine, health sciences, and social sciences.

The conference opened with a plenary session featuring speeches by RSU Rector Aigars Pētersons and ISC Project Manager Luīze Monta Remese. Guest lecturer Olena Korotun from Ukraine delivered an inspiring presentation on innovation and international cooperation in healthcare and science.

A central plenary discussion titled “Mental Health of the Next Generation: Are We Failing Young People?” gathered experts from medicine, politics, education, and media to discuss challenges affecting youth mental health and possible solutions.

ISC 2026 also featured practical competitions and workshops. The Medical Wrestle simulation competition brought together 10 student teams from across Europe, testing their emergency medicine and teamwork skills. Dental students participated in the Crown It In Riga competition at the RSU Institute of Stomatology, solving complex clinical cases.

In total, students could attend 26 practical workshops in medicine and social sciences, highlighting ISC’s strong focus on hands-on learning and professional development.

The conference concluded with the Grand Prix and Case Report finals, where the best research projects and clinical case studies were awarded. The organizers expressed gratitude to all participants, experts, and supporters who contributed to the success of ISC 2026.