Mart Külvik is a Professor at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, specializing in environmental policy, biodiversity management, and landscape planning. He holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Tartu and has extensive experience in academic leadership, including roles at Tallinn University of Technology and various research institutes. His work focuses on ecological networks, citizen science, and the intersection of urban development and nature conservation. He has authored numerous articles in journals like Land and Journal for Nature Conservation , and serves on editorial boards and international scientific committees. His research emphasizes ecosystem services, policy analysis, and sustainable land use. Key roles include leading the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (0.6 FTE since 2015) and previously serving as a senior researcher and department head. He has coordinated international master's programs and contributed to policy initiatives related to environmental protection and urban planning.
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.
Simon Bell is a Professor at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (full-time) and holds a part-time Professorial role at the University of Edinburgh. He serves as the Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Chair of the Landscape Architecture Program. Previously, he was President of the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools (2012–2018). His research focuses on outdoor recreation landscapes, wellbeing, forest landscapes, and Soviet-era rural landscapes. He earned a PhD from Estonian University of Life Sciences in 2009, an M.Phil (1981–1983), and a BSc (1976–1979). Education: PhD in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences (2007–2009) M.Phil in Environmental Studies, 1981–1983 BSc in Forestry/Landscape Architecture, 1976–1979 Research interests span the intersection of environmental design and public health, with a particular emphasis on urban blue-green spaces, their impact on mental health, and the preservation of cultural landscapes. His work often involves transdisciplinary approaches, such as participatory GIS methods and community co-created interventions. He has contributed to international projects like COST Actions TU1201 and TD1106, focusing on urban agriculture and allotment gardens. Notable publications include studies on generative AI in landscape representation, the role of university campus design in student wellbeing, and cross-country analyses of nature exposure and wellbeing. His research highlights the importance of spatial variation, environmental aesthetics, and the socio-ecological impacts of urban development. Awards include the 2022 European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools Lifetime Achievement Award and a 2002 Travelling Fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He has led over 18 projects, such as 'Linking Up Environment, Health and Climate' (€875,000) and 'Modernist Reinventions of the Rural Landscape' (€201,525). His administrative roles include coordinating the Eastern Baltic Network of Landscape Architecture Schools and leading initiatives to popularize European environmental policies. He collaborates internationally, with projects in China, Spain, and Poland, emphasizing cross-border and inter-disciplinary research.
Mira Samonig is a doctoral candidate and Junior researcher at the Faculty of Architecture, Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn, Estonia. Her academic role combines advanced doctoral studies with active research contributions within the architectural discipline. Her research spans the core domains of Architecture , with specialized focus on Urban Design and Landscape Architecture . These areas address critical intersections between built environments, spatial planning, and ecological systems, reflecting contemporary priorities in sustainable development and human-centered design methodologies.
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.
Külliki Seppel is a Lecturer in Media and Social Theories at the Institute of Social Studies within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tartu. She has been affiliated with the university since 2000, holding various academic positions including Junior Lecturer, Assistant in Media and Social Theories, Lecturer in Media Studies, and Research Fellow. Her current full-time appointment began February 13, 2023, though she has maintained continuous academic engagement with the institution for over two decades, demonstrating significant institutional commitment and expertise development in her field. Dr. Seppel's educational background includes a Research Master's Degree from Central European University in Budapest (2001), where she completed her thesis titled 'Nation-Building in Slovenia and Estonia: Aspects of Citizenship and Minority Legislation' under the supervision of Irina Culic. She pursued PhD studies in Sociology at the University of Tartu beginning in 2002. Her undergraduate education includes a BA in Sociology from the University of Tartu (1995-1999, cum laude) and an MA in Nationalism Studies from Central European University (2000-2001). Her primary research interests focus on ethnic relations , media consumption of minority groups , and the intersection of science and society . Seppel has established herself as a leading researcher in Estonian integration studies, particularly examining the Russian-speaking population's media habits and societal integration. Her work bridges sociology, media studies, and ethnic relations, with particular attention to post-Soviet identity formation, memory politics, and the Nordic identity discourse in Estonian political context. She has contributed significantly to understanding how media consumption patterns reflect and shape societal integration processes in multi-ethnic societies. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Estonian integration monitoring, with multiple contributions to the government-sponsored 'Integration Monitoring of Estonian Society' reports (2014, 2017, 2020, 2023). Her work spans both theoretical explorations of concepts like memory citizenship and practical analyses of media consumption patterns. She has developed expertise in studying Russian-speaking communities in Estonia, Nordic identity discourse, research integrity systems, and medical communication practices, demonstrating impressive interdisciplinary range while maintaining a coherent focus on societal integration processes. 2002 CIMO research stipend (University of Helsinki) 2000 Scholarship by Soros Foundation for Master studies in Central European University Seppel has served as a senior analyst in multiple integration monitoring projects (2014-2020, 2023-2024) and has held administrative roles including Programme Manager for the BA in Journalism and Communication (2020-present), MA in Communication Management (2017-2020), and Crossmedia Production joint curriculum (2014-2017). Her project work extends to developing the Tartu City Development Strategy Document 'Vision 2040' (2020) and monitoring plans for Tartu 2024 (2019). She has also contributed to international research projects like PRINTEGER, which examined research integrity across European institutions. As an active participant in the academic community, Seppel contributes to both theoretical development and practical policy applications through her membership in research teams conducting national integration monitoring. Her work connects academic research with governmental policy development, particularly in the areas of integration strategy and media landscape analysis for minority populations in Estonia.
Mitchelle Laboy is an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture at Northeastern University, with affiliate appointments in Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. Her research focuses on transdisciplinary methods to advance resilience and sustainability across scales, emphasizing socio-ecological integration in design. She is licensed as a civil engineer (Puerto Rico) and holds professional certifications in safety assessment and architectural practice. Education: Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning, University of Michigan, 2005 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, 2001 Research Interests: Michelle Laboy’s work explores the intersection of architecture, engineering, and urban planning to create regenerative, socially just environments. Key themes include: Building and site systems integration Resilience in urban and infrastructural systems Green infrastructure and decentralized stormwater solutions Material circularity and persistent design Transdisciplinary education and collaborative practice Awards: 2022 and 2017 Latrobe Prize (AIA College of Fellows) 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award (CAMD) 2004 AIA Henry Adams Medal Grants & Projects: Laboy has led/co-led projects funded by ARPA-E, NSF, DOE, and Autodesk. Notable initiatives include: Boston LightWells (Boston Groundwater Trust/Autodesk Grant) Community Resilience in Extreme Temperatures (Northeastern University) Future-Use Architecture (AIA College of Fellows) Professional Experience: Co-founder of FieLDworkshop, a research-based design practice. Previously worked at Maryann Thompson Architects and Skidmore Owings & Merrill. Active in teaching courses like Integrated Building Systems and Graduate Topics in Architecture.
Ülo Niinemets is Professor and Head of Department of Crop Science and Plant Biology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. A distinguished plant ecophysiologist with over 30 years of academic experience, he has held professorships at Estonian University of Life Sciences since 2009, served as Extraordinary Professor at Utrecht University (2007-2012), and held positions at University of Tartu and University of Hawaii. His educational background includes: Doctor Philosophiae in Ecophysiology from University of Tartu (1996) Master of Science in Biology-Ecophysiology from University of Tartu (1993) Diploma of Biology (Ecophysiology) from University of Tartu, graduated Cum Laude (1992) Niinemets specializes in plant ecophysiology with focus on volatile organic compound emission physiology, plant stress biology, and functional relations between plant structure and physiology. His research explores how plants acclimate and adapt to environmental changes, particularly in the context of global change biology. He has made significant contributions to understanding plant responses to light, temperature, and CO 2 variations, with applications in forestry and agriculture. His work bridges fundamental plant physiology with practical environmental and agricultural challenges, examining topics from cellular mechanisms to ecosystem-level processes. His recent publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach spanning plant stress physiology, urban ecology, agricultural science, and climate change impacts. Many studies focus on isoprene emissions, plant responses to climate change variables, and crop physiology under marginal conditions, reflecting his commitment to addressing both theoretical questions and practical applications in a changing world. Among his notable recognitions: National Science Prize in Bio- and geosciences (2018, 2000) White Star Order, IV class by the President of Estonia (2012) Best paper award from the Japanese Ecological Society (2011) National Science Prize in Chemistry and molecular biology (2006) Professor Niinemets has actively contributed to scientific discourse through editorial leadership, serving as editor for Oecologia since 2012, Frontiers in Plant Science since 2010, and as editor of the Tree Physiology book series since 2008. He has reviewed grant applications for multiple international funding agencies and served on the Science Policy Commission of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (2012-2017), helping shape national research priorities. His research group at the Estonian University of Life Sciences investigates plant responses to environmental stressors, with particular emphasis on volatile organic compounds and their ecological significance. The team employs a multi-scale approach, examining plant physiology from cellular mechanisms to ecosystem-level processes, with implications for understanding climate-vegetation interactions and developing climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Margaret Lyngdoh is a Researcher at the University of Tartu's Department of Estonian and Comparative Folklore within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. She specializes in indigenous cultures of Northeast India, particularly the Khasi and Karbi communities, with research focusing on ritual practices, belief systems, liminal ontologies, and human-animal transformation traditions within contexts of Christianity, Hinduism, and globalization. Her work bridges cultural anthropology, folklore studies, and religious studies through extensive ethnographic fieldwork and theoretical analysis. Her research interests span indigenous folklore studies, Khasi and Karbi belief systems, ritual studies, human-animal transformation traditions, vernacular religion, and ecological anthropology. She approaches these topics through a unique lens that combines ethnographic fieldwork with theoretical frameworks examining how indigenous communities navigate cultural change while maintaining traditional knowledge systems. Her work particularly emphasizes the relationship between ecological knowledge and indigenous belief systems, showing how traditional narratives inform contemporary environmental practices. Her publications reveal a consistent focus on transformation narratives, particularly human-animal transformations among the Khasi people, examining how these stories function within ecological contexts and ritual practices. She has developed innovative methodological approaches for studying indigenous religions, emphasizing vernacular perspectives and challenging Western academic frameworks. Her research demonstrates how indigenous communities maintain cultural continuity through narrative traditions while adapting to contemporary challenges. International Participants Stipend, American Folklore Society (2023) Research Support Finance, University of Tartu (2022) Post-Doc Grant from Estonian Research Council (2018-2021) "Iconic Leaders Creating a Better World for All" by Women Economic Forum (2020) Albert Lord Fellow, Centre for Studies in Oral Tradition (2016) Dr. Lyngdoh has supervised doctoral students including Malay Bera (PhD thesis on 'Gender and Nationalism in Fairytales of Late Colonial Bengal') and Kareng Ronghangpi (PhD theses on 'Karbi Oral Narrative' and 'Karbi Belief Worlds and belief Narratives'). She has secured multiple research grants including the Estonian Research Council's PUTJD 746 project on 'Tradition and Vernacular Discourses in the Context of Local Christianities in Northeastern India.' Her fieldwork continues with planned research visits to West Khasi Hills and Karbi Anglong through 2025, focusing on ritual practices, supernatural narratives, and human-animal transformation traditions. She actively contributes to the academic community as an Executive Member of the Belief Narrative Network (BNN) within the International Society for Folk Narrative Research, and collaborates with the Marginalized and Endangered Worldviews Study Center at University College Cork. Her recent fieldwork involves documentation and archiving of folktales of the Karbi and Khasi tribes in Northeast India, working with Dr. Mayako Murai and research teams.
Kaido Maasen serves as a Visiting Lecturer in Land Management at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, affiliated with the Institute of Forestry and Engineering and the Chair of Forest and Land Management and Wood Processing Technologies. His academic work focuses on sustainable management of forested landscapes and resource utilization, with core expertise spanning: Land Management systems and policy implementation Integrated Forest Management practices Wood Processing Technologies and industrial applications Natural Resource Economics and planning Sustainable Forestry certification frameworks His teaching integrates practical field applications with technological innovation in resource management, emphasizing Estonia's unique boreal forest ecosystems and European regulatory contexts.
Maroš Krivy is a Professor and Head of the Urban Studies MSc Programme at the Estonian Academy of Arts’ Faculty of Architecture. His research focuses on architecture, urbanism, and environmental history in postwar and post-Cold War contexts, emphasizing the interplay between design, power, and knowledge. He has contributed to journals like International Journal of Urban and Regional Research and Planning Theory , and his current project, Urbanism at the End of History , examines how urban experts use naturalistic explanations to overlook social conflicts in global capitalism. Supported by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, his work critiques neoliberal urbanism and explores post-socialist spatial politics. Key Projects: 'Urbanism at the End of History' (Marie Curie Fellowship), research on platform urbanism and smart cities. Notable Works: Authored chapters in Neoliberalism on the Ground (2020) and Second World Postmodernisms (2019), and edited special issues like Estonia: Nordic? Neoliberal? (2018). Teaching: Leads the Urban Studies MSc programme, emphasizing critical urban theory and historical analysis. His research bridges architectural history with socio-political critique, addressing topics like mass housing, ecological imaginaries, and the legacy of socialist urbanism. He actively participates in international conferences and publishes widely on urban complexity, postmodernism, and the role of technology in shaping contemporary cities.
Tiit Remm is a Research Fellow in Semiotics at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, affiliated with the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics. He holds a Doctorate (2015) and Master's (2007) in Semiotics and Culturology from the University of Tartu, with a minor in Architecture and Urban Planning. His research focuses on semiotics of space, architectural semiotics, and landscape semiotics, emphasizing spatial modeling and socio-cultural dynamics. He has led projects such as the coevolutionary approach to nature-based solutions and served as Head of the Department of Semiotics and Vice President of the International Association for Semiotics of Space and Time. Remm's administrative roles include programme director for semiotics and cultural studies programs and organizer of major conferences like the Tartu Semiotics Summer School. His awards include the 2019 Teaching Scholarship and recognition for his doctoral dissertation. His work bridges semiotic theory with practical applications in urban planning, cultural heritage, and ecological studies.
Karin Kaljund is a Researcher in Ecology at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences (2023–). Previously, she held roles as a Main Specialist (2017–2022), Research Fellow (2014–2016), and Other Staff (2007–2014) at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on plant ecology, genetic diversity, and conservation biology, particularly studying native plant populations like Medicago sativa ssp. falcata and Trifolium alpestre . Her work explores genetic variation, hybridization with cultivated species, and the impact of environmental changes on biodiversity. She has contributed to long-term ecological restoration projects, including Baltic Boreal coastal meadows and small forest patches in agricultural landscapes. Her publications emphasize population genetics, conservation strategies, and climate adaptation policies. The trends in her research articles highlight ecological genetics, biodiversity conservation, and plant population dynamics. She has also participated in interdisciplinary projects addressing climate change, bioeconomy, and environmental management in Estonia.
Rando Värnik is a Tenured Professor of Rural Economics and Head of the Chair of Rural Economics at the Estonian University of Life Sciences' Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. With over 25 years of academic experience since joining the institution in 1995, he has held various leadership positions including Director of the Institute of Economics and Social Sciences (2005-2014) and currently serves as Head of the Chair since 2022. His academic journey began at the Estonian Agricultural University where he earned his BSc in Agronomy (1994), MSc in Economy (1997), and PhD in Agricultural Economics (2001). PhD in Rural Economics, Estonian University of Life Sciences (1998-2001) Doctor of Economy in Agricultural Economics, Estonian Agricultural University (1996-2001) Master of Sciences in Economy, Estonian Agricultural University (1995-1997) Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, Estonian Agricultural University (1991-1994) Värnik's research focuses on rural economics, bioeconomy, circular economy value chains, and cooperative development. His work addresses critical issues in rural entrepreneurship, regional development, sustainability, and the implementation of food and agricultural policy. He has published extensively on topics including agricultural cooperatives, farm income variability, sustainable land management, and bioeconomy development across multiple countries including Estonia, Iran, and Kazakhstan. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economics with environmental science and social policy to address complex rural development challenges. Analysis of Värnik's 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on sustainable rural development across multiple dimensions. His work spans agricultural economics, environmental management, and social sciences, with significant contributions to understanding value chains in bioeconomy, cooperative management, and rural entrepreneurship. Geographically, his research extends beyond Estonia to include studies in Iran, Kazakhstan, and multiple European countries, demonstrating an international perspective on rural economic issues. Best Rural Economy Lecturer in 2022 (Rural Development Foundation) Best Lecturer in Rural Economics in 2022 (Agriculture and Environmental Acknowledgment) Estonian University of Life Sciences Science Popularization Award 1st prize (2020) Medal of merit 'EestiMAA Heaks' (2017) Medal of merit of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (2015) Raefond prize (2012) Silver award of the Ministry of Agriculture (2007) Värnik serves as the responsible editor of the 'Rural Development Report' and is a member of the scientific advisory board for the German Journal of Agricultural Economics and the editorial board of Food Economics. He has led numerous international projects including the 'Long-term knowledge transfer program in the field of cooperation' (2017-2023) and serves on multiple councils including the Estonian University of Life Sciences Council (since 2025) and the Council of the Institute of Agriculture and Environment (since 2022). His leadership extends to the Estonian Association of Agricultural Economists where he has served as President since 2010.
Age Poom is an Associate Professor in Urban Environment at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Science and Technology, within the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences. He holds a Doctor's Degree in Human Geography (2017) and a Research Master's in Environmental Studies (2010). His work focuses on human-environment interactions, urban geography, and sustainability science, utilizing novel data sources like GPS and smartphone tracking. Poom has held roles such as Programme Director for the MSc in Geoinformatics and led the Mobility Lab. He has authored over 49 publications, including works on environmental exposure, urban modality, and green routing tools like Green Paths. Awards include the University of Tartu's Badge of Distinction (2018) and multiple Best Lecturer recognitions. His administrative roles include editorial board memberships, research grants, and international collaborations. Education highlights include a PhD from Tartu University, MSc in Landscape Ecology, and BSc in Environmental Technology. Professional experience spans postdoctoral research at the University of Helsinki, editorial roles in journals like Big Data & Society, and extensive teaching in sustainable urban development, transport planning, and impact assessment. Research emphasizes environmental exposure during travel, green infrastructure, and equitable mobility solutions. Notable projects include the EU-funded HOPE initiative and development of the Green Paths routing tool. Administrative contributions include roles in editorial boards, grant advisory boards, and urban planning committees across Estonia and Finland.
