Judit Strömpl

Judit Strömpl is an Associate Professor of Social Work Research at the University of Tartu’s Faculty of Social Sciences, within the Institute of Social Studies. She has held academic and administrative roles since 2003, including Programme Director and Head of Chair, focusing on social policy and social work. Her research centers on children’s rights, trauma-informed care, qualitative methods, and social constructionism.

Education: PhD in Social Work from the University of Tampere (2002), Master’s in Public Administration and Social Work from the University of Tartu (1995), and a Russian Philology degree from Tartu State University (1977).

Research Interests: She investigates issues such as child welfare, juvenile justice, family violence, and the impact of institutional care. Her work emphasizes ethical research practices and participatory methods involving children. Recent studies include trauma-informed care in foster systems, rights of incarcerated parents’ children, and Ukrainian refugee children’s integration.

Publications & Awards: Over 130 publications, including book chapters and peer-reviewed articles. Honors include the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award in Social Field and the University of Tartu’s Decoration of Honor (2012). Her work has influenced policy through participatory research and trauma-aware interventions.

Administration & Outreach: Member of Estonian social work associations, editorial boards, and ethics committees. She has led curriculum development and advised on social welfare policies. Her projects address vulnerable youth, refugee support, and deinstitutionalization in child care systems.