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Tiia-Triin Truusa is a sociologist specializing in military-civilian interactions and defense studies. Currently serves as Manager of Academic and Outreach Activities at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) since 2020. Concurrently holds a part-time Research Fellow position (0.20 FTE) at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Social Studies since 2022. Education: PhD in Sociology (2022) from University of Tartu, M.S.W. (2010), and B.A. in Social Work (2003). Her research focuses on military sociology, conscription systems, veteran transition, and civil-military relations in post-Soviet contexts. Active in defense policy research through projects funded by Estonian Research Council and Defense Forces. Key research interests include: Civil-military entanglement in modern societies Conscription models and their societal impacts Military family dynamics and identity negotiation Hybrid threat defense strategies National security narratives Recent work emphasizes comparative analysis of conscription practices across Europe, leadership perceptions among Estonian soldiers, and societal resilience against hybrid threats. Editor for Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies and former president of European Research Group on Military and Society (ERGOMAS).

• Military Sociology
• Social Sciences
• Conscription Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Tarmo Kalvet is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Business Administration, School of Business and Governance at Tallinn University of Technology. He is also the Research Director at Policy Lab OÜ and the Scientific Director of the Institute of Baltic Studies. His academic career includes roles as Senior Research Fellow at the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance and leadership in innovation policy research at PRAXIS. Dr. Kalvet holds a PhD in Technology Governance from Tallinn University of Technology (2009) and a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Tartu (2002). His research focuses on global value chains, AI applications in economics, innovation policy, and defense industry governance. He has led over 50 projects funded by the EU and Estonian government, including initiatives on circular economy, defense sector resilience, and cultural tourism. His recent work includes analyzing the impact of AI on economic systems, predicting trade flows using machine learning, and assessing risks in defense innovation procurement. He has published extensively in journals like Competitiveness Review and Journal of Baltic Studies , with a focus on small states' strategic challenges. Awards include the 2009 national student research prize for his PhD thesis. Dr. Kalvet advises EU policy bodies, chairs expert groups on global changes, and collaborates internationally. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing topics like public sector innovation, digital identity systems, and sustainability in tourism.

• Economics
• Political Science and Administration
• Computer Science
• +7 more

Kadri Leetmaa is an Associate Professor of Human Geography and Head of the Department of Geography at the University of Tartu. She holds a Doctorate in Human Geography (2008) and has been affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences. Her career includes roles as Director of the Centre for Migration and Urban Studies (2018–2022) and Coordinator of the Estonian National Contact Point for the EU URBACT Program (2017–2023). Education: PhD in Human Geography (University of Tartu, 2008), MSc in Human Geography (2005), and BSc in Geography (1997). Professional trainings include data management (2022), research ethics (2021), and teleworking leadership (2020). Research focuses on post-socialist urban dynamics, ethnic segregation, housing policy, and regional planning. Key interests include governance of spatial inequalities, urban resilience, and legacy of socialist urbanism. Recent projects include editing Urban Planning During Socialism: Views from the Periphery (2023) and directing studies on housing estates’ socio-economic trajectories. Publications span 63+ works, emphasizing urban sociology, historical geography, and policy analysis. Notable articles address minority residential mobility, Cold War impacts on peripheral towns, and post-socialist housing challenges. Awards include top prizes in Estonian national science contests for doctoral and MA research. Administrative roles include chairing staff attestation committees, leading AESOP PhD schools, and coordinating national spatial planning training. She is active in international networks like COST Action on Middle Class Housing and the Cities After Transition Network.

• Human Geography
• Urban Social Geography
• Ethnic and Socioeconomic Segregation
• +7 more

Wolfgang Wagner is a Visiting Professor at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, and served as Research Director at the Estonian Military Academy. He holds a Doctorate (1978) and Habilitation (1992) in Psychology. His research focuses on social essentialism, intergroup relations, and military ethics, particularly exploring public perception of AI in military contexts and the dynamics of social representation theory. Wagner has contributed to over 60 publications, including analyses of ethnic identity, transgender politics, and historical pedagogy. His work bridges psychology, sociology, and military ethics, emphasizing societal impact and cultural transmission. He has collaborated on projects like the iMUGS initiative, addressing autonomous systems' ethical, legal, and social dimensions. Despite no explicit awards listed, his extensive contributions to social psychology and interdisciplinary research highlight his academic influence. Education: Doctorate in Psychology, Universität Wien, 1978 Habilitation in Psychology, Johannes Kepler University, 1992 Research Interests: Social essentialism, group dynamics, military ethics, AI ethics, social representation theory, and cultural transmission. His work often examines how societal perceptions shape identities and technologies, with a focus on intergroup relations and their historical contexts. Articles Overview: Recent works analyze public perception of military AI, essentialist theories of genetic hybrids, and ethical frameworks for autonomous systems. Themes include the natural origins of social essentialism and the critique of postmodern tolerance redefinitions. He explores how cultural metrics and historical narratives influence contemporary social dynamics. Grants & Labs: Led the iMUGS project on integrated unmanned systems, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration between social science and military technology. Collaborates with institutions like the Estonian Military Academy and the University of Tartu, focusing on societal implications of emerging technologies.

• Social Psychology
• Social Essentialism
• Military Ethics
• +4 more

Kristjan Silm serves as a Junior Research Fellow in Sociology at the Institute of Social Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tartu. Currently employed part-time (0.75 FTE) since September 1, 2025, following a full-time appointment from August 29, 2022, to August 31, 2025, he contributes to Estonia's defense research infrastructure through academic-military collaboration. Education background: PhD candidate in Sociology, University of Tartu (2022–present) MA in Sociology, University of Tartu (2018–2021) Visiting student in Political Science, University of Helsinki (2015–2016) BA in Sociology and Comparative Politics, University of Tartu (2011–2016) Research specialization: Silm's military sociology expertise centers on comprehensive defense frameworks, analyzing societal willingness to defend the nation and population integration into defense systems. His work examines territorial defense units, reservist expectations, and resource management within Estonia's unique civil-military ecosystem, directly addressing national security challenges through sociological lenses. Project leadership: He actively contributes to two major defense initiatives: Reinforcing Societal Resilience through Securitization (2025–2029, €269,388 Estonian Research Council funding) and Human Resource Survey in the Estonian Defence Forces (2022–2026, €310,000 Defence Forces funding), both involving cross-institutional teams with the Estonian Military Academy. Academic mentorship: Silm supervises Master's candidates including Alo Tepp's 2025 thesis comparing national defense expectations between territorial defense units and regular reservists, reflecting his focus on practical military sociology applications.

• Military sociology
• Sociology
• Comprehensive defense
• +5 more

Elo-Hanna Seljamaa is an Associate Professor of Estonian and Comparative Folklore at the University of Tartu's Institute of Cultural Studies. She serves as Program Manager for the English-language Master's Program 'Folkloristics and Heritage Applications'. Her research focuses on ethnicity, nationalism, integration policies, and multiculturalism in Estonia, with a particular interest in how heritage creation and management influence inclusion/exclusion dynamics. She has explored these themes through a start-up grant from the Estonian Research Council (2018–2021), examining belonging/non-belonging frameworks. Her teaching emphasizes applying cultural heritage theory to practice through master's projects. Collaborations include work with the Estonian Folk Culture Centre and curating art exhibitions. Supervised theses include studies on Gagauzia nation-building, Latvian cultural ornament politics, and Punjabi biradari systems. Her work bridges folklore studies with contemporary socio-political issues, notably through analysis of intangible heritage beyond UNESCO frameworks and ethnographic methods in creative research. Key projects include co-supervising research on ethno-music phenomena and Soviet policies in Berdychiv. Her scholarship spans cultural memory, border identities, and museum representation, with a focus on Estonia's post-Soviet transitions and Baltic regional dynamics.

• Ethnicity Studies
• Nationalism
• Cultural Heritage Management
• +3 more

Ivan Lavrentjev is a contemporary historian and researcher currently working at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of History and Archaeology since 2022. He also served as a Research Fellow at Narva Muuseum (2020-2021) and is pursuing a PhD under Kaarel Piirimäe. Education: Master's in History from University of Helsinki (2020) Education: Bachelor's in History from Tallinn University (2015) Education: Erasmus exchange at University of Groningen (2014) His research focuses on contemporary Estonian history with emphasis on Soviet industrial legacy, cultural memory, and Russian-speaking communities. He analyzes post-Soviet identity politics and media securitization in Estonia. Key publication themes include: Soviet military-industrial heritage Language policy and minority representation Historical memory in post-Soviet Estonia Russia-Estonia political dynamics Urban identity formation Post-Cold War transitions Scientific honors include: 2016 Tallinn University Student Research Contest I Prize 2016 Tallinn University Student Union Badge of Merit 2015 Estonian Academy of Sciences Student Thesis Award 2015 National Archive Student Thesis Award He has contributed to museum exhibitions about Lasnamäe's lighthouses (2021), airfield (2020), and Narva's autonomy referendum (2017), demonstrating his commitment to public history engagement.

• Contemporary History
• Estonian History
• Soviet History
• +5 more

Karsten Brüggemann is a Professor of Political and Social History at the School of Humanities of Tallinn University. He holds a PhD in History from the University of Hamburg (1999) and a habilitation from the University of Gießen (2013), focusing on Baltic-Russian imperial dynamics. His research spans the history of the Baltic states and Russia/Soviet Union, cultural history, transnational history, memory studies, 19th-20th century history, and the historical dimensions of sport, tourism, and music. Key educational milestones include his PhD thesis on the Russian Civil War in the Baltic region and his habilitation study analyzing Russian imperial perceptions of the Baltic provinces. His work emphasizes cross-border cultural exchanges, imperial governance strategies, and national identity formations in contested regions. Brüggemann’s research explores topics such as Baltic-German communities, Soviet internationalism, and the role of cultural practices (e.g., song festivals) in shaping national identities. He has contributed to debates on post-Soviet memory politics and the historiographical challenges of Baltic statehood. His recent publications (2020–2024) reflect engagement with transnational frameworks, modern Estonia’s historical research landscape, and the intersection of sport and imperial power. He critiques Soviet historiographical legacies and advocates for inclusive narratives of Baltic history that transcend national boundaries. Despite no listed scientific awards or student advisees, his extensive publication record and academic leadership position him as a leading voice in Baltic and Russian imperial studies.

• History of the Baltic States and Russia/Soviet Union
• Cultural History
• Transnational History
• +3 more

Avo Trumm is a Research Fellow at the University of Tartu's Institute of Social Studies within the Faculty of Social Sciences. He holds a Doctor's Degree (2011) and Research Master's Degree (1996) in Sociology from the University of Tartu. His career includes roles such as Head of Chair (2016–present), Deputy Head of Finances and Planning, and Programme Director. He has served in various administrative capacities including leading the Department of Sociology and Social Policy (2001–2002) and as Vice-President of the Estonian Sociological Association. Trumm's research focuses on societal transitions , poverty dynamics , veterans' reintegration , and welfare systems . Key contributions include methodologies for measuring poverty in transition economies and analyzing social exclusion mechanisms. His work bridges theoretical sociology with policy analysis, particularly in post-Soviet contexts. Recent publications explore AI applications in unemployment services, veterans' adaptation during crises, and Estonia's welfare system evolution. His research often intersects with defense policy, youth marginalization, and regional inequality. He has collaborated on nation-scale projects like the 'Sustainable Estonia 21' strategy analysis and situation awareness systems development. Administrative Roles: Program Director, Department Head, Research Council Member Professional Memberships: Estonian Sociological Association (1993–present), European Sociological Association (2005–2007), International Sociological Association (1994–2002) Teaching: Courses on social indicators and policy analysis His work emphasizes practical policy implications, with notable contributions to Estonia's social policy frameworks and veterans' welfare initiatives.

• Poverty Studies
• Social Policy Analysis
• Veterans' Transition
• +6 more

Sten Torpan is a Junior Research Fellow in Crisis Sociology at the University of Tartu's Institute of Social Studies and Lecturer at the Estonian Military Academy. His research examines institutional communication practices during disasters, focusing on misinformation management. Education: BA in Theology: 'The Role of Mythological Thinking in Authoritarian Ideology' MA in Social Sciences: 'Stakeholders’ Views on Oil-Shale Industry Sustainability' PhD candidate: 'Communicative Practices in Disaster Management' Research addresses vulnerability assessment, crisis communication, and social media strategies across European disaster systems. Publications analyze disinformation during COVID-19, vulnerability frameworks, and cross-national emergency management.

• Crisis Sociology
• Disaster Management
• Misinformation
• +2 more

Merike Sisask is a Professor of Social Health Care at Tallinn University's School of Governance, Law and Society. She serves as a board member of the Estonian-Swedish Institute of Mental Health and Suicidology Institute (ERSI) and council member of the Estonian Mental Health and Well-being Coalition (VATEK). Her career spans roles as tenure professor, senior researcher, and visiting professor at Tallinn University, alongside leadership in suicide prevention initiatives. Doctoral studies in sociology (Tallinn University 2011) Master's in public health (University of Tartu 2005) Private School of Professional Psychology (2003) Law degree (Tartu State University 1991) Her research focuses on social determinants of mental health, suicidal behavior prevention, intervention programs, and health policy. Recent publications emphasize digital health, retirement loneliness, and European suicide prevention strategies. 2021 National Research Award 2021 Order of Merit of the White Star 2017 NATO Science Achievement Award 2022 student thesis awards As an advisor, she has mentored 6 doctoral/master's students. She participates in UNESCO bioethics, EU Horizon Europe committees, and leads Tallinn University's Center of Excellence in Life Course Studies. Her work integrates public health, social work, and policy development across 25 years of academic leadership.

• Mental Health
• Public Health
• Suicidology
• +3 more

Kairi Kasearu is a Professor of Empirical Sociology at the University of Tartu, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Institute of Social Studies. She has held positions including Department Head and Researcher, focusing on military sociology, family dynamics, and social theory. Her research explores conscription policies, military families, and intergenerational relations, with a regional focus on Estonia and Europe. Education: PhD in Sociology (2010, University of Tartu), MA and BA in Sociology from the same institution. Awards include the 2023 Kogukonna eestvedaja stipendium and NATO recognitions for her contributions to military sociology research. Her work bridges theory and practice, addressing societal challenges such as NEET youth and defense readiness. Research Interests: Kairi’s work combines empirical analysis with theoretical frameworks, examining topics like conscription motivations, military traditions, and family structures. She has contributed to NATO projects on personnel retention and survey methodologies in military contexts. Recent publications analyze hybrid threats, military heroism, and the social dimensions of national defense. Awards: Extensive recognition for mentoring students (e.g., 2018 award for supervising a dissertation on divorce dynamics). Administrative roles include leading NATO research teams and Estonian defense policy initiatives. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates sociology, political science, and cultural studies to address contemporary security and social issues.

• Military Sociology
• Family Studies
• Social Theory
• +3 more

Liina-Mai Tooding is a Senior Consultant in Data Analysis at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Social Studies, where she has worked since 2018 in a 50% position. Previously, she served as an Associate Professor in Methods of Social Analysis at the same institution with full-time appointments from 1995 until 2015. Her extensive academic career spans over five decades, beginning in the Faculty of Mathematics at Tartu University in the late 1960s, with a transition to social sciences in the 1990s after earning her doctorate. Dr. Tooding earned her PhD in Sociology from Byelorussian University in 1986, with a dissertation on 'Methodological problems of statistical analysis of sociological information.' She completed her undergraduate studies in Mathematics at Tartu State University (1962-1967), providing her with a strong quantitative foundation that she later applied to social sciences. Her academic background bridges mathematical statistics and sociological research, creating a unique methodological expertise. Her research focuses on three main areas: statistical models in social analysis (with methodological emphasis), life course studies, and the dynamics of violent death in transition societies. She has made significant contributions to understanding suicide patterns across age groups, military service impacts, and social transitions in Estonia. Her methodological expertise allows her to apply rigorous quantitative approaches to complex social phenomena, particularly in post-Soviet contexts. Analysis of her publication record reveals a clear evolution from purely statistical work to interdisciplinary social science research. Recent publications show strong emphasis on Estonian military conscription, suicide research across different demographic groups, and the social impacts of Estonia's transition from socialism. Her work consistently employs sophisticated statistical methods to analyze longitudinal data and cross-national comparisons, examining how social structures influence individual outcomes across the life course. Dr. Tooding has been actively involved in professional organizations including the Estonian Statistical Association and the International Association of Statistical Education. She has held significant administrative roles including Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Education (2013-2014), Head of the Institute of Sociology and Social Policy (2007-2010), and earlier Head of Sociology department (1997-2001). She has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, with a particular focus on life course transitions, divorce patterns, adolescent mental health, and military service experiences. Her mentorship has contributed significantly to developing a new generation of social scientists in Estonia, with several of her students continuing research in similar substantive areas.

• Social Statistics
• Methodology of Social Analysis
• Life Course Studies
• +4 more