Dr. habil. paed. Ausma Špona is a professor of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology and Art, University of Latvia. Research interests: general pedagogy, theory and methods of upbringing. She has participated in international research studies together with scientists from Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, and Russia. Consultant and leader of doctoral dissertations for prospective Latvian and German researchers in pedagogy; under her scientific guidance, 64 dissertations have been defended. Author of more than 200 scientific and methodical publications, 14 monographs and collective monographs.