About
Astra Schults is an Associate Professor at Tallinn University's School of Natural Sciences and Health, specializing in School and Counseling Psychology. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Tartu (2016) and a Master's Degree in Research Psychology (2005). Her career includes roles as a Lecturer in School Psychology at the University of Tartu and Research Fellow in Developmental Psychology.
- Current Position: Associate Professor (1.00 FTE)
- Research Focus: Social skills development, language acquisition, and early childhood education
- Administrative Roles: Member of the National Institute for Health Development's Prevention Research Council, Estonian Quality Agency for Education's General Education Council, and Programme Director for School Psychologists' Internship
- Professional Memberships: Estonian Association for Mental Health for Young Children, European Association for Developmental Psychology, and International School Psychology Association
Research Interests: Astra's work centers on understanding developmental pathways in children, particularly focusing on social skill formation, vocabulary development, and the impact of environmental factors. She has pioneered studies on Estonian children's early communicative development and assessment tools like the LAHE e-assessment system for five-year-olds.
Her publications span developmental psychology, educational technology, and cross-cultural temperament studies. Notable projects include investigations into institutional childcare services and early identification of at-risk children.
- Awards: 2003 I Prize in Estonian National Contest for Young Scientists
- Grants: Over €500,000 in funding for projects on child development, prevention strategies, and educational assessment tools
Labs/Teams: Leads Tallinn University's School Psychology initiatives and collaborates with the National Institute for Health Development on prevention research.