Find Academic Supervisors

Raul Vicente Zafra is a Professor of Data Science at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Computer Science, where he has been working since 2013. His research spans computational neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and data science, with a particular focus on bridging biological and artificial models of intelligence. Education: PhD in Physics (2001-2006), University of the Balearic Islands BSc in Physics (1997-2001) Professor Zafra's research interests center on computational neuroscience and artificial intelligence, with specific expertise in brain-computer interfaces, reinforcement learning, neural modeling, and explainable AI. His work bridges the gap between biological and artificial intelligence systems, exploring how neural principles can inform machine learning algorithms and vice versa. He has made significant contributions to understanding neural coherence, time interval learning in neural systems, and the application of information theory to brain-computer interfaces. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration between computer science, neuroscience, and medicine. Analysis of Zafra's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence and neuroscience. His work spans explainable AI methods, brain-computer interfaces, reinforcement learning models that mimic cognitive processes, and neurophysiological studies of brain activity. A notable trend is his exploration of how biological principles of neural computation can inform and improve artificial intelligence systems, particularly in areas like time-based learning, consciousness modeling, and neural coherence. Scientific Awards: 2012: Attendee at the 62nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2007: Quantum Electronics and Optics Division Prize of the European Physical Society for the best PhD Thesis in Applied Optics in Europe 2006: PhD Extraordinary Award of the Physics Department of the University of the Balearic Islands 2001: Physics Degree Extraordinary Award (First Class Honors, best GPA) 1997: Bronze Medal in the "8th Spanish Physics Olympiad" Professor Zafra has been principal investigator on numerous significant research projects including the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Cardiovascular Stress Impacts On Neuronal Function, and Bridging biological and artificial models of vision. His grant portfolio demonstrates strong funding support from the Estonian Research Council, European Commission, and other major funding bodies. He has supervised multiple PhD students and mentored early-career researchers in computational neuroscience and AI. His laboratory work focuses on developing computational models of neural systems and applying these insights to artificial intelligence. Current research directions include explainable AI methods, brain-computer interfaces, modeling of consciousness and cognitive processes, and the application of AI to healthcare challenges.

• Computational Neuroscience
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• +7 more

Mark Angus is a Visiting Lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design, and has been a pivotal figure in stained glass art since the 1970s. His work spans architectural commissions for churches and public spaces in the UK, Germany, and Ireland, alongside autonomous art in painting, printmaking, and artist’s books. He operates studios in Frauenau (Germany) and Graz (Austria). Education : Bristol Polytechnic (Chartered Surveyor, 1970), Swansea School of Art (Architectural Stained Glass, 1978). Research Interests focus on: Stained Glass as a medium for spiritual and secular narratives. Vitreography (glass-based printmaking) and its interplay with light and subtlety. Artist’s Books integrating letterpress and visual storytelling. Human Figure Representation in glass and paper, emphasizing dialogue and existential themes. Recent Publications include his 2018 artist’s book 80 Capriccios and the Turbulences of the Self , drawing on Goya’s Los Caprichos to critique modernity, and 2025’s KUNST. Kunst im Landkreis Passau, Bd. 70 , documenting regional art practices. His RED (2014) and Juvenescence (2014) explore color symbolism and eternal youth through acrylics and illustrated novels. Scientific & Artistic Awards : 1990: South West Arts & Crafts Fellowship 1984: South West Arts Major Craft Award 1979: Crafts Council Setting-up Grant 1978: Worshipful Company of Glaziers Travelling Scholarship Teaching & Collaborations : He has taught at the Estonian Academy of Arts, Penland School of Crafts (USA), and Bild-Werk Frauenau (Germany), including 2025’s masterclass Risk & Resonance – The Stained Glass Experience . His exhibitions, such as 80 Capriccios (2024, Neuburg am Inn), reflect interdisciplinary dialogues between glass, poetry, and theological themes.

• Stained Glass Art
• Architectural Design
• Glass Painting
• +7 more

Margus Pärtlas is Professor of Music Theory and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Research at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). He earned his Doctorate from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1992 with a dissertation on Eduard Tubin's symphonies. His career includes positions as Associate Professor (1993-2003), Senior Teacher (1987-1993), and Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of North Texas (1999-2000). Pärtlas's research focuses on music analysis methodologies , specializing in the works of Eduard Tubin and Richard Strauss. Key areas include symphonic form, tonal transformation in Romantic music, semiotic analysis of choral works, and cultural identity in exile compositions. His publications consistently explore structural innovation in 19th-20th century European music. His recent articles reflect a thematic emphasis on Estonian musical heritage , institutional development of music academies, and analytical studies of concerti/symphonies. A significant trend involves examining how composers negotiate cultural identity through structural elements. Awards & Honors: Fulbright Visiting Scholar Grant (1999) Best Music Article Award from 'Teater. Muusika. Kino' (1992) Academic Leadership: Chaired accreditation committees internationally (Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Armenia), serves on editorial boards of Res Musica and Eduard Tubin's Complete Works, and organized major conferences including 'Eduard Tubin 100'. Doctoral Supervision: Guided 4 PhD students in music analysis and interpretation, focusing on topics like Tubin's piano sonatas, Estonian song traditions, and analytical approaches to contemporary performance.

• Musicology
• Music Theory
• Musical Analysis
• +4 more

Sean Yendrys is a Professor and Head of the MA Program in Graphic Design at the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn, Estonia. He is an independent graphic designer based in Berlin and Tallinn, collaborating with artists, architects, and institutions globally. He previously directed the independent design summer program "A School, A Park" in Montreal (2016–2018). His teaching roles include Parsons The New School, Vermont College of Fine Arts, and Bergen Academy of Art and Design, among others. Education: BFA from Concordia University, MFA from Yale School of Art. Research focuses on alternative pedagogical models in design education, institutional critique, and the intersection of graphic design with performance art and spatial politics. His design practice spans exhibition identities, editorial projects, and experimental publishing for institutions like the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Harvard GSD, and Tanzkongress 2019. Recent publications include contributions to Para-Platforms (2018), Extra-curricular (2020), and the 2024 Movement Research Performance Journal . Current projects emphasize collaborative editorial work and institutional design frameworks.

• Graphic Design Education
• Exhibition Design
• Publishing and Book Design
• +3 more

Marianne Kallaste is a Lecturer at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), School of Business and Governance, Department of Business Administration. She serves as Programme Director for International Business Administration (0.20 FTE) and has held various roles including Lecturer, Research Fellow, and project coordinator. Education: Master's Degree (2011) in Organizational Culture from TalTech; PhD studies (interrupted) in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Research Focus: Entrepreneurial ecosystems, problem-based learning, university-business collaboration, SME internationalization Project Leadership: Currently leads 'Digital-Physical Hybrid Architecture of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem' (2025-2029, €116,518) Her work emphasizes transforming higher education through entrepreneurial mindsets and cross-disciplinary approaches. She has co-authored 15+ publications analyzing Estonian entrepreneurship ecosystems, university innovation capacity, and open innovation strategies in post-socialist contexts. Scientific Awards: 2024 TalTech Department of Business Administration award for academic innovation in large research project submissions As project leader for multiple EU-funded initiatives (e.g., BeComE, INNOLAB), she bridges academia and industry while serving on the Estonian Economic Association and Estonian Andragogy Association.

• Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
• Business Administration
• Higher Education Innovation
• +5 more

Toomas Saarsen is a Lecturer (0.90 FTE) at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science since 2017. He holds a Doctor's Degree (2017) from the same institution under supervisor Marlon Dumas, focusing on process model structures and their interplay. His research interests include process modeling, business process management, and systems theory. Education: PhD in Computer Science (2011–2017), MSc in Computer Science (1991–1992), and Applied Mathematics (1986–1991), all from the University of Tartu. Notable projects include leading the 'Data-Driven Management of Software and Business Processes' (2014–2019), funded by the Estonian Research Council (€1,499,565). Research focuses on process documentation assessment, enterprise modeling, and strategic risk analysis using FEM models. His work bridges theoretical models with practical implementation challenges in business process management.

• Process Modelling
• Business Process Management
• Computer Science
• +3 more

Maroš Krivý is a Professor and Head of the Urban Studies MSc programme at the Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Architecture. He is also a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Geography under the ERC project 'Rethinking Urban Nature.' His work bridges architecture, urbanism, and environmental studies, focusing on postwar and post-Cold War periods. Research Interests: Cybernetic urbanism, neoliberalism, smart cities, mass housing, and political geography. Current Project: 'Urbanism at the End of History,' analyzing urban experts’ responses to global capitalism and social conflict. His recent publications explore topics like platform urbanism, ecological imaginaries, and postsocialist housing legacies. He has contributed to journals such as Environment and Planning D , Antipode , and Geoforum , with keywords spanning political economy, digital geography, and urban sociology. Scientific Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship He advocates for critical engagement with urban design’s socio-political implications, emphasizing the interplay between architecture, power, and knowledge systems. His teaching and research challenge benevolent smart city narratives, highlighting their embedded inequalities and speculative logics.

• Architecture
• Urbanism
• Urban Design
• +7 more

Ingrid Ruudi is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Art History and Visual Culture, Faculty of Art and Culture, Estonian Academy of Arts. She holds a Doctorate in Art History and has served in various academic roles including Visiting Associate and Extraordinary Associate Professor. Her work bridges architectural history, curatorial practice, and gender studies, with a focus on Estonian architecture from the late Soviet period to the present. She is currently leading a research project on care environments in socialist and post-socialist Estonia and serves as editor-in-chief of Studies on Art and Architecture . Doctor of Philosophy, Estonian Academy of Arts, 2020 Research Master’s Degree, Estonian Academy of Arts, 2001 Art History, Estonian Academy of Arts, 1997–2001 Her research centers on the intersections of architecture, art, and spatial culture, with a strong emphasis on gender studies in architecture. She investigates how power, identity, and social change are reflected in built environments, particularly during transitional periods such as the late Soviet and post-Soviet eras. Her work explores feminist critiques of architectural practice, the spatial politics of care and disability, and the role of exhibitions as research tools. She has made significant contributions to the historiography of Estonian architecture, especially in uncovering the roles of women architects and marginalized communities. The most recent articles demonstrate a consistent focus on gender, spatial justice, and post-socialist transformation. Themes include feminist architectural theory, the politics of public space, and curatorial methodologies. Her publications often analyze how architecture reflects and constructs social identities, especially under ideological constraints. She frequently contributes to both scholarly journals and public discourse, blending academic rigor with cultural critique. Estonian Research Council’s national competition for best dissertations, special prize of the Estonian Heritage Board for the best doctoral thesis (2021) Estonian Academy of Arts research prize for best monographic publication (2021) Best architecture publication of magazine Maja and cultural weekly Sirp (2021) Medal of the Union of Estonian Architects for conceptualization activities (2015) Grand prize of the Endowment for Visual Arts of the Estonian Cultural Endowment for the installation 'Gas Pipe' at the Venice Biennale (2008) Ingrid Ruudi has supervised doctoral and master’s theses and has been actively involved in academic governance, including serving on the Senate of the Estonian Academy of Arts and the board of the Estonian Centre for Architecture. She has secured competitive research grants, including a major project funded by the Estonian Research Council. Her curatorial work, such as the exhibition 'A Room of One’s Own. A Feminist’s Questions to Architecture', functions as both public engagement and scholarly inquiry. She founded the interdisciplinary project space MÄRZ and has contributed extensively to architectural criticism and translation of specialized literature. She is a key member of the Institute of Art History and Visual Culture and contributes to the Graduate School of Culture Studies and Arts. Her editorial leadership of Studies on Art and Architecture and previous editorship of Estonian Architectural Review underscores her influence in shaping architectural discourse in Estonia.

• Architectural History
• Spatial Culture
• Gender Studies in Architecture
• +7 more

Marju Kõivupuu is a folklorist and cultural historian affiliated with Tartu University, holding the role of Professor. Her primary research focuses on the interplay between human-nature relationships, cultural heritage preservation, death culture, and ethnomedicine. She actively contributes to teaching by offering courses on Estonian and comparative folklore, as well as specialized topics like worldview studies and landscape heritage. Her work integrates interdisciplinary perspectives, emphasizing the importance of cultural landscapes and traditional knowledge systems. Key research areas include the analysis of sacred natural sites, burial customs in Southeast Estonia, and the documentation of folk medicine practices. She has published extensively, with several monographs recognized at both institutional and national levels. Her contributions to the field include supervising doctoral and master’s students, fostering academic collaboration across disciplines, and advocating for the integration of intangible cultural heritage into modern contexts. Notable achievements include awards for her scholarly publications and her role in shaping contemporary folklore studies. Her research often bridges historical documentation with contemporary societal challenges, such as the preservation of traditional practices in rapidly changing landscapes. Kõivupuu’s work is characterized by a deep engagement with fieldwork, particularly in South-Eastern Estonia, and a commitment to community-based cultural heritage management.

• Folklore Studies
• Cultural Heritage
• Death Culture
• +3 more

Mari Laaniste is a researcher and lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts' Institute of Art History and Visual Culture, specializing in visual culture, film, animation, and comics. She holds a Research Master's Degree (2001) and PhD studies in Art History from the Estonian Academy of Arts. She co-heads the joint MA program 'Literature, Visual Culture and Film Studies' with Tallinn University. Education: BA (1999), MA (2001), and PhD studies (2003–2007) at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Key roles: Research Fellow (2016–present), Research Secretary (2018–2020), and organizer of international comics exhibitions. Teaching: Courses include 'Word and Image in Modernism' and 'Image Analysis' for BA/MA students. Her research focuses on visual narratives, Estonian animation history, and the interplay of words/images. She has curated major exhibitions like 'Hall tsoon' (2017) and organized Nordic Network for Comics Research (NNCORE) events. Publications span 200+ articles, books, and edited volumes on contemporary culture, visual studies, and comics. She has supervised two MA theses in creative/cultural studies at Tallinn University.

• Visual Culture
• Film Studies
• Animation History
• +5 more

Eik Hermann is a Lecturer in Philosophy and Practice-Based Theory at the Estonian Academy of Arts, holding a Master's degree (2005) and currently pursuing a PhD. He specializes in architectural theory and philosophy, with research overlapping aesthetics, urban planning, and art history. Education includes studies at Tallinn University's Estonian Institute of Humanities and a PhD candidature at Estonian Academy of Arts. His work bridges theoretical and practical architecture, emphasizing curatorial practices and interdisciplinary approaches. Editor-in-Chief of Ehituskunst journal since 2017 Member of Estonian Academy of Arts Senate (2021-2023) Research focuses on spatial ethics, urban theory, and art criticism. Notable projects include competitions for Tartu Cultural Centre (2nd place, 2023), exhibitions like 'Majad, mida me vajame' (2021), and architectural awards for the Estonian Academy of Arts building design. Holds over 60 publications across journals and books, including works on contemporary art critique, curatorial strategies, and architectural philosophy. Recognized with State Cultural Awards (2022, 2018), Kultuurkapital grants, and the prestigious Maja Magazine article award.

• Philosophy
• Architecture Theory
• Aesthetics
• +3 more

Mike Franz Wahl is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management at Tallinn University of Technology's Faculty of Economics and Business, within the Institute of Business Administration. He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the same institution. His research focuses on corporate governance systems, business ownership dynamics, and strategic management, with a particular emphasis on aligning organizational values and governance structures. He has held visiting professor roles at Bucharest University of Economics Studies and Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University. His administrative roles include leading the Institute of Business Administration's organizational and management education programs. Education: PhD in Business Administration (2011, Tallinn University of Technology), MBA (2004), and earlier degrees in engineering and architecture. His academic service includes editorial roles for journals like the International Journal of Public Sector Performance Management and conference organizing roles such as Track Chair at EURAM Annual Conference. He has contributed to policy development, particularly in Baltic region mobility solutions. Research Interests: Corporate governance systems incorporating values, business ownership typology, strategic audit methodologies, sustainable education through serious games, and leadership in crisis contexts. He emphasizes practical applications of governance frameworks in diverse sectors like healthcare and academia. Labs/Projects: Active in EU-funded projects such as 'BalticSeaBioMed' and 'Escaping New Disinformation', focusing on governance and digital education. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world management challenges, advocating for precision in ownership strategies and ethical leadership.

• Strategic Management
• Corporate Governance
• Food Industry Management
• +3 more

Helen Eenmaa is an Associate Professor of Governance and Legal Policy at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences , where she has led the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies since 2023. She pioneered Estonia's first Information Technology Law Research Programme and founded the Centre for the Information Society (UTCIS). Her leadership roles include President of European Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS) Board member of SAPEA Vice President of Estonian Young Academy of Sciences (2020-2023) . Education highlights : J.S.D. (Doctor of Science of Law) and LL.M. from Yale Law School Postdoctoral research at European University Institute, Tilburg Law School, and FGV Direito Rio Helen's research bridges Technology Law , Law & Economics , and Legal Philosophy . She investigates how algorithmic contracting transforms markets and justice, examining trust mechanisms in digital environments and competing normative systems . Her work connects corrective justice theory with modern issues like blockchain regulation and AI ethics . Her 15 recent publications focus on Automated contract systems Trust in digital markets Algorithmic justice frameworks Regulatory challenges for AI Integrating ethics into technology policy . Scientific awards and recognitions : Estonian Young Academy of Sciences member (2018) Programme Director of the Year, University of Tartu (2015) Idea of the Year for IT Law Programme (2014) Multiple scholarships from Yale, CEU, and European Commission She has secured €2.7 million in grants , including €241,000 Estonian Research Council Grant (2021-2024) €190,000 Horizon 2020 Grant for ReCreating Europe €960,000 ERDF Grant for IT Law Education . Her organizational roles include founding the IT Law Lab and coordinating international cybersecurity exercises .

• Technology Law
• Law and Economics
• Legal Philosophy
• +5 more

Talis Bachmann is a Visiting Professor (0.50) at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology. Previously, he held the position of Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Psychology of Law at the University of Tartu's School of Law until 2022. His career includes roles as Rector of Tallinn University (1992–1995), and professorial positions at institutions like the University of Portsmouth and Moscow University. Education: Doctor's Degree in Psychophysiology of Visual Masking, Moscow University (1989) Doctor's Degree in Investigation of Selectivity in Perceptual Activity, Russian Academy of Sciences (1979) Research Interests: Cognitive psychology, consciousness studies, visual perception, neural mechanisms of attention, and the psychology of law. Bachmann's work focuses on the neural correlates of consciousness, thalamocortical interactions, and the role of layer-5 pyramidal neurons in conscious perception. He has contributed to theories like the Dendritic Integration Theory and explored genetic influences on perceptual processes. Key Awards: 2018: Journal 'Akadeemia' Silver Award 2015: Journal 'Akadeemia' Golden Award 2006 and 2001: National Science Prize (Estonia) Adjunct Professorships at Arizona State University (1990) and international fellowships Administrative & Editorial Roles: Editor-in-Chief of Consciousness and Cognition (Elsevier) Member of European Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST) for consciousness research Leadership in Estonian academic institutions, including Rector of Tallinn University Labs & Projects: Bachmann led targeted research projects on visual attention (2006–2011) and spatial attention (2001–2004). He has organized international symposia on cognitive psychology and consciousness, including events at the International Congress of Psychology.

• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychology of Law
• Neuroscience
• +3 more

Virve Sarapik is a Professor at the Institute of Art History and Visual Culture, Faculty of Art and Culture, Estonian Academy of Arts. She has held significant leadership roles, including Head of the Institute (2017–2023) and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Studies on Art and Architecture (2003–2021). Her academic career includes research positions at the Estonian Literary Museum and the Under and Tuglas Literature Centre. She is currently active on a part-time basis and continues to supervise doctoral candidates and lead research initiatives. PhD in Semiotics and Cultural Theory, University of Tartu (1999) Research Master's Degree, University of Tartu (1996) MA in Fine Arts and Art Education, Estonian Academy of Arts (1989) Her research focuses on the interrelations between visual and verbal discourse, late Soviet and post-Soviet Estonian culture, spatial and temporal representation in texts, and the aesthetics of visual culture. She has pioneered the study of picture theory and environmental aesthetics, notably through the 'Place and Location' conference series. Her work bridges semiotics, art history, and cultural theory, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and Estonian modernization processes. Her recent publications explore ethnofuturism, semiotic shifts after Marxism, Soviet encyclopedias as knowledge systems, and the expanding role of images in contemporary culture. These works reflect a consistent engagement with cultural memory, ideological transformation, and the philosophical dimensions of visual representation. Her scientific awards include the Estonian Society of Art Historians’ Prize (2021), the Estonian Academy of Arts Academic Publication Award (2021), and recognition for mentoring student research. She was nominated to AcademiaNet in 2020 and received the 'Ela ja sära' scholarship in 2002. Sarapik has supervised numerous Master’s and PhD theses, including completed dissertations on topics such as the Severe Style in Estonian art, postmateriality, and contemporary art in Estonia. She currently supervises doctoral projects on temporality, materiality in conservation, and educational space. She has also led major research projects on Estonian cultural development during the transition period and rhetorical patterns of mimesis. She is actively involved in academic governance, serving on the Senate of the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Evaluation Board of the Estonian Research Council, and the board of the International Association of Research Institutes in the History of Art (RIHA). She is a member of editorial boards for journals such as Methis , Studies on Art and Architecture , and the Acta Universitatis Talliniensis. Artes series.

• Art History
• Visual Culture Studies
• Semiotics
• +7 more