Ergo Naab is a biblical scholar associated with the University of Tartu as a Visiting Lecturer in the School of Theology and Religious Studies , Department of New Testament . He also holds a Doctorate in Cultural Research (2017) and a Master of Academic Theology (2009) from Tallinn University and the Institute of Theology of the EELC, respectively. Academic Ranks : Visiting Lecturer (2025–2027), Research Fellow in New Testament (2018–2024) Research Focus : New Testament hermeneutics, Corpus Paulinum, social-historical analysis of early Christianity, and pseudepigraphic literature from the Late Second Temple period. His scholarly work emphasizes Pauline epistles , early Christian ideology in syncretistic Roman Empire contexts, and testamental literature like the Testament of Job and Testament of Abraham. He has contributed to translation projects of apocryphal texts and co-edited theological anthologies. Recent publications (2021–2023) demonstrate a focus on exegetical commentaries for liturgical use, ethical frameworks in biblical texts, and interfaith interpretations of canonical and non-canonical works. Notable awards include Tallinn University's top student research award (2019) and Akadeemia journal's annual prize (2014). Naab supervises master's theses and participates in editorial and organizational roles for academic theology journals. He is currently involved in the PRG938 project (2020–2024) studying the emergence of the Book of Job through related literature.
Kaari Kiitsak-Prikk is Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Musicology, Music Pedagogy, and Cultural Management at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. With a Doctorate in Cultural Management and a Master’s in Music Pedagogy, she specializes in entrepreneurship education, organizational identity, and societal engagement in arts institutions. She leads international projects on technological literacy and inclusive wellbeing, while also serving as a reviewer for academic journals. Doctoral Degree: Managing Societal Interactions in Estonian Cultural Organizations Master’s Degree: Legal Status of Cultural Organizations in Estonia Her research focuses on entrepreneurial education in arts universities, mentorship models , sustainability in cultural policy, and technology integration for arts managers. Recent publications analyze mental health in cultural organizations, co-creation trends, and identity-image dynamics in joint ventures. She has supervised 16 master’s theses on topics like music artist branding, niche marketing, and improvisation’s role in classical music. Her scientific awards include ESF DoRA conference stipends (2013-2015). She contributes to projects such as Inclusive Wellbeing Through Arts and Technological Literacy Education , emphasizing societal impact and innovation.
Art Leete is a Professor of Ethnology at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, leading the Institute of Cultural Research since 2016. His career spans over three decades, with roles including Head of the Institute (2012–2015) and Research Director at the Estonian National Museum (1997–2001). PhD: 2000, University of Tartu (Ethnology) MSc: 1996, University of Tartu (Folklore Studies) Research Focus: Leete specializes in Finno-Ugric and Northern minority cultures, particularly the Komis and Khanty peoples. His work examines cultural adaptation to globalization, indigenous identity, and religious revival. Key projects include the permanent exhibition Uurali Kaja at the Estonian National Museum, awarded multiple design and heritage prizes. Publications: Over 50 articles and books, including editorial roles for Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics (since 2018) and co-authorship of the Uurali Kaja exhibition book. Recent research explores hybrid beliefs, Arctic sustainability, and museum ethics. Awards: Honors include the Estonian National Culture Foundation's Oskar Kallas Scholarship (2021), University of Tartu Medal (2019), and the Order of the White Star (2008). Grants & Leadership: Led international projects like Arctic-FROST (2014–2018) and co-founded the Digital Humanities of the North initiative. Supervised 9 doctoral students, including Alison Kolosova's study on Finno-Ugric Orthodoxy. Labs/Teams: Active in the University of Tartu's Arctic Studies Lab and collaborates globally with organizations like the Finnish Academy and ICOMOS.
Marina Järvis is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Business Administration , Tallinn University of Technology , with a 1.00 FTE appointment since 2023. She previously held roles as Associate Professor (2020-2023), Senior Lecturer (2014-2019), and Lecturer (2010-2014) at the same institution. She also serves as Visiting Professor at Riga Technical University (2024–) and University of Latvia (2024–). Education: PhD in Business Administration (2013), Tallinn University of Technology M.Phil in Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) (2001), University of Bergen Diploma in Food Processing Engineering (1998), Tallinn University of Technology Research Interests span risk/safety management, digital transformation, organizational culture, psychosocial risks, and innovative education. Her recent work examines green ammonia in ports, four-day workweek sustainability, AI ethics, and participatory ergonomics. She integrates occupational health with business economics. Scientific Contributions include 15+ recent publications on topics like smart city logistics, psychosocial risk frameworks, and digitalization in safety management. She leads research on domestic violence prevention in workplaces through the President Kaljulaid Foundation collaboration. Awards include Best Lecturer (2022), Lecturer of the Year (2019), and multiple student-chosen recognitions (2017-2018). She contributes to EU-OSHA projects and serves on editorial boards of journals like Business Ethics and Leadership .
Marge Sassi is a Senior Lecturer at Tallinn University of Technology's School of Business and Governance, Department of Business Administration, with a secondary role as Visiting Lecturer at Estonian Business School. She holds a PhD in Management Science (2021) and an MA in Cultural Management (2013), blending academic rigor with practical expertise in project management and leadership. Current roles: Senior Lecturer (TalTech), Visiting Lecturer (EBS) Key affiliations: EAMT Cultural Management Programme, European Commission Marge's research focuses on organizational performance evaluation within cultural and creative industries (CCIs), leadership development, and societal impact of art projects. Her work integrates flow theory, paradox management, and stakeholder engagement, addressing challenges in multicultural teams and transition economies. Recent publications (2015-2024) analyze performance measurement methodologies, strategic responses to evaluation hesitancy, and inclusive teaching approaches using simulation games like FLIGBY. She has received DORA grants for international conference participation. 2024: Conference paper on leadership-organization health connections 2023: FLIGBY gamification in entrepreneurship education 2022: Paradoxes in CCI performance management Scientific recognition includes: DORA Grant (multiple awarded for conference presentations) Contributor to EU project evaluations (Creative Europe) As an academic supervisor, she has guided 11 master's theses covering topics like cultural diversity, age management, and intellectual property commercialization. Her career spans academia (Artis Progressus NGO founder), public sector (Ministry of Social Affairs), and international organizations (IOM, OSCE).
Agnes Neier is a literary scholar and researcher at the University of Tartu, focusing on the interplay between word and image in Estonian literature and contemporary culture. Her work centers on photographic imagery and its functions in literary contexts. She holds a bachelor’s (2010) and master’s (2014) in literature and cultural studies from the University of Tartu, and is completing a doctoral thesis on photography in Estonian literature. She contributes to research and development management at the University of Tartu, organizing academic conferences and editing special journal issues. Her research interests intersect literary studies, visual culture, and cultural semiotics, with a focus on how photographic images shape narrative and cultural discourse. Her recent publications explore photographic 'untruths' in fiction, analyzing how images construct meaning and ambiguity in texts. Collaborations with scholars like Nancy Pedri highlight interdisciplinary approaches to visual and literary analysis. Neier has not been explicitly awarded scientific prizes, though her editorial and organizational contributions to academic events reflect her active role in scholarly communities.
Marge Sassi is a Senior Lecturer at Tallinn University of Technology's School of Business and Governance, Department of Business Administration. She holds a Doctorate in Management from Estonian Business School (2021), focusing on organizational performance in cultural and creative industries. Her career includes roles as a Lead Expert at the European Commission, Founder of MTÜ Artis Progressus, and development manager at Tallinn City Museum. She has led projects such as 'Managing Art Projects with Societal Impact' and contributed to societal outreach through mentoring in the 'Women support Women – Estonia and Ukraine' initiative. Her research emphasizes organizational performance evaluation, strategic management in creative industries, and leadership development. Notable works include studies on cultural organizations' performance paradoxes and inclusive leadership teaching methods using virtual tools. She has supervised 11 master's theses, focusing on topics like neurodiversity in ICT companies and age diversity in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Key grants include €30k for 'Leadership Competences' (2016-2017) and €299k for 'Development of Managerial Modules' (2023-2025). Her work bridges academic research with practical societal engagement, emphasizing the societal impact of cultural projects and organizational effectiveness.
Oleksii Demikhov is an Associate Professor at Sumy State University, Ukraine, and holds a guest researcher position at the Chair of Biosystems Engineering at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EULS). He specializes in public health policy, healthcare management, and strategic decision-making under epidemiological and military threats. Demikhov holds a Doctorate in Public Administration (2018), a Research Master's in Public Health Policy (2022), and a Master's in Social Sciences (2024) from Tartu University. His academic roles include editorial board memberships for journals like Health Economics and Management Review and advisory roles at Ukraine's National Agency for Quality in Higher Education. Education: Doctorate: National Academy of Public Administration under Ukraine's President (2018) Research Master's: Taras Shevchenko National University (2022) Master's in Public Health Management: Sumy State University (2021) Earlier degrees in Law, Finance, and Agrarian Economics Research Interests: Demikhov focuses on health economics, quality management in healthcare systems, and policy responses to public health crises. His work addresses strategic healthcare governance, epidemiological threat mitigation, and the integration of EU best practices into Ukrainian policies. Recent studies include analyzing post-war Ukraine's foreign investment strategies and evaluating occupational health policies in EU member states. Publications & Grants: He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including works on crisis management in agriculture and digital transformation in occupational safety systems. His research has been presented at international conferences like the 15th International Conference on Biosystems Engineering (2025). He collaborates with institutions such as the National Agency for Quality in Higher Education and chairs editorial boards in public administration. Labs/Teams: Active in the Institute of Forestry and Engineering at EULS, contributing to interdisciplinary projects on biosystems engineering and sustainable development. His work intersects healthcare, economics, and environmental science to address complex societal challenges.
Ester Eomois is a Lecturer in Management and expert in leadership studies at Estonian Business School (EBS). She holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration (2004) and is pursuing doctoral studies focusing on career trajectories of millennial women leaders. Her academic roles include MBA Program Director (0.25 FTE) and lecturer in leadership-related courses such as Leadership Masterclass and Women in Leadership. Research areas: Gendered career paths, female entrepreneurship, and organizational diversity International experience: Taught at WU Vienna, University of Prague, and Tbilisi State University Leadership training delivered in Estonia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia Active in professional organizations including BPW International (president of Estonian region) and served as board member at pharmaceutical and retail companies. Notable recognition: 2024/2025 Best Lecturer in EBS Master's Programs. Advised over 5 master's theses on leadership and organizational topics Principal investigator in projects like 'Towards gender equality through work-life balance' (2020-2022) Labs/Teams: Leads EBS Executive Education programs including Healthcare Leadership Development and Leadership in the Digital Era initiatives.
Riina Koris is an Associate Professor at the Estonian Business School (EBS), specializing in business education, higher education systems, and student-centered pedagogy. She holds a Doctoral Degree (2014) from Tallinn University of Technology and a Research Master's Degree (2005) from EBS. Her academic roles include Head of the Cultural Management Programme (2015–2020) and membership in EBS Senate (2002–2008). Her research focuses on student perspectives in business education, generative AI in learning environments, and institutional branding. Key contributions include co-editing the upcoming book *Generative AI in Higher Education: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly* (2025), analyzing bachelor thesis evaluation practices (2023), and exploring millennial career preferences (2022). She has also investigated student-customer orientation frameworks in universities (2015) and the relevance of learning organizations in higher education (2014). Riina has received multiple recognitions as *Mentor of the Year* and *Lecturer of the Year* at EBS. Her teaching portfolio includes courses like *The Dark Side of Marketing* and *Branding and (re)positioning in International Markets*. She actively contributes to academic discourse through editorships, conference presentations, and collaborations with institutions such as the Prague School of Economics and Business. Her work bridges pedagogical innovation with institutional strategy, emphasizing transparency in education and the ethical integration of emerging technologies like AI.
Kertu Lääts is an Associate Professor of Accounting and Head of the School of Economics and Business Administration at the University of Tartu. She holds a PhD in Management Accounting (2011) and an MSc in Business Administration from Stockholm University (1998). Her research focuses on management accounting systems, performance measurement, sustainability reporting, and public sector accounting. She has led several projects including cost modeling for the Estonian Defence Forces and digital transformation initiatives in higher education. Key achievements include awards for her 2011 study on Estonian service companies' performance metrics (Emerald Literati Network) and a 2002 best paper award for work on manufacturing accounting practices. She has held administrative roles such as Chair of the Department of Finance and Accounting and Dean's Office responsibilities. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in both private and public sectors. Notable projects include developing warship cost models, optimizing state real estate processes, and advancing sustainability reporting frameworks. She is actively involved in professional networks like the European Accounting Association and the European Network for Research into Organisations and Accounting Change.
Oliver Parts is an Associate Professor at Tallinn University of Technology's School of Business and Governance, Department of Business Administration, where he has held academic positions since 2005. His career progression includes roles as Assistant (2005-2010), Lecturer (2010-2012), and Associate Professor (2012-present). He teaches courses in Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, and Marketing Research across bachelor's and master's programs, with significant teaching hours annually. Education: Doctor's Degree in Economics (2011) from Tallinn University of Technology Research Master's Degree (2005) from Tallinn University of Technology CEEMAN IMTA Programme at Bled School of Management, Slovenia (2014) Research work and coursework at University of Ljubljana (2008-2009) Parts specializes in consumer behaviour research with emphasis on consumer ethnocentrism, cosmopolitanism, and country-of-origin effects. His work examines psychological and cultural factors influencing purchasing decisions, retail strategies during crises, and cross-cultural consumer comparisons. Recent focus includes digital consumer engagement and misinformation in online branding. His publications show consistent focus on consumer psychology in evolving contexts: wartime purchasing behaviors (2022), sensory marketing in retail (2022), and online brand misinformation (2024). Articles demonstrate expertise in applying behavioral economics to real-world scenarios like economic sanctions and pandemic-era consumption. Awards & Honors: 4 teaching excellence awards in 2024 including 'Icon of Style' and 'Merrymaker' 2022 Living Legend and Lecturer of the Year awards 2020-2021 Favorite Lecturer and Course awards 2015-2019 teaching recognitions for humor and engagement 2010 William J. Ziegler Best Doctoral Paper Award 2007-2008 research excellence awards He supervises bachelor/master theses and coordinates practical training in marketing. Managed projects include the EU-funded Consumer Behaviour Research Network (2009-2012) and Doctoral School in Economics (2005-2008). Regularly participates in international conferences and industry events. Active in academic service as journal reviewer (Journal of Globalisation and Small Business), curriculum committee member, and conference organizer. Maintains professional memberships in ELMAR (AMA Academic Community) and Slovenia-seura cultural association.
Veiko Valkiainen serves as a Junior Research Fellow in Management at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Economics and Business Administration. His current appointment runs from March 2024 to August 2026 at full-time capacity, following previous appointments at both full-time and half-time capacity since February 2022. Alongside his academic position, he operates Valkiainen Konsultatsioonid OÜ as a leadership coach and trainer. Valkiainen is actively pursuing his PhD at the University of Tartu under the supervision of Krista Jaakson, having commenced his doctoral studies on August 30, 2021. His dissertation research examines Leadership under Holacracy: Investigating Holacracy through the Self-Determination Theory Framework . His educational background includes a Master of Arts with distinction in Cultural Studies from Central European University (1998-1999), a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Tallinn Pedagogical University (1994-1998), and unfinished doctoral studies in Social Psychology at the University of Helsinki (1999-2000). Dr. Valkiainen's research centers on Holacracy as an alternative organizational structure, investigating how this radical self-management system impacts leadership, organizational culture, and employee motivation. His work integrates theoretical perspectives from Institutional Theory, Complexity Theory, and Self-Determination Theory to develop comprehensive frameworks for understanding non-hierarchical organizational models. He examines how Holacracy affects leader identity formation, organizational culture development, and the practical implementation challenges organizations face when adopting this management approach. His publication record reveals a focused research trajectory examining Holacracy from multiple angles through book chapters, conference papers, and journal articles. Recent work analyzes Holacracy's potential as an organizational design option for dynamic environments, its impact on basic human needs satisfaction, and the longitudinal process of Holacracy adoption in organizations. His scholarship combines theoretical development with empirical case studies, particularly qualitative analyses of real-world Holacracy implementations. Principal investigator on the ongoing project "Ethical Organisational Culture: Multi-level Analysis of its Determinants, Practices and Consequences" (2022-2025), funded by the Estonian Research Council with 669,725 EUR Team member on the completed "Research of Estonian Management 2021" project (2021-2022), funded by Enterprise Estonia with 42,370 EUR Dr. Valkiainen brings substantial practical experience to his academic research, having served in senior HR and management roles across diverse sectors including banking (Eesti Pank), energy (Eesti Energia AS), entertainment (Olympic Entertainment Group), and IT. This industry experience spanning over two decades informs his scholarly investigation of alternative organizational structures and leadership models, providing valuable practitioner insights to complement his theoretical work.
Tõnu Lehtsaar is a Professor of Psychology of Religion at the University of Tartu's School of Theology and Religious Studies (0.8 position) and concurrently serves as a Counsellor-Chaplain in the Personnel Department (0.4 position). He has held numerous leadership roles including Dean of Theology (2001-2003), Vice Rector for Academic Affairs (2003-2005), and Acting Rector (2007). His international engagements include visiting professorships at institutions like Fuller Theological Seminary and the University of Helsinki. Education: PhD in Psychology of Religion, University of Amsterdam (1997-1999) PhD in Pedagogy, University of Tartu (1988-1990) Basic Course of Theology, Tartu Higher Theology Seminar (1994) Psychologist and Teacher of Psychology, University of Tartu (1978-1983) Lehtsaar's research explores the intersection of psychology and religion, focusing on religious behavior, pastoral counseling methodologies, and societal religious transformations in post-Soviet Estonia. His work integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches to examine contemporary religiosity, church growth patterns, and interdisciplinary pastoral care models applicable to healthcare settings. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on practical applications of religious psychology, with recent works examining charismatic religious practices, conflict resolution strategies, and innovative pastoral care frameworks. Thematically, his scholarship emphasizes the adaptation of religious institutions to modern societal challenges. Awards and Honors: Order of the White Star, IV Class (2007) University of Tartu Town Hall Foundation Award (2007) Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Cross of Merit (2010) Ecumenical Award from Estonian Ecumenical Council of Churches (2001) University of Tartu Small Medal (2010) University of Tartu Badge of Honour (2005) Lehtsaar has secured significant research funding including grants from the Estonian Scientific Foundation for projects on pastoral diagnostics (1997-1998), Dorpat psychology of religion school (1999-2000), and conflict management frameworks (2006-2008). He has supervised doctoral candidates researching Estonian Baptist history and healthcare pastoral care models. He leads research collaborations through memberships in the International Association of Religious Psychology, Estonian Academic Theological Society, and Association of Estonian Psychologists. His administrative service includes board membership at the Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary since 2016.
Maria Kütt is an academic and professional in Human Resource Management (HRM), affiliated with Tallinn University of Technology (School of Business and Governance, Department of Business Administration) and Tallinn University. She currently serves as the Head of the Competence Center for Senior Management at the Estonian Government Office and has held senior HR roles in the public and private sectors, including Director General of Human Resources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and HR Manager roles at Coca-Cola HBC Baltic and Paulig Group. Education: PhD Candidate in Business Administration (Tallinn University of Technology, since 2022), Master's in Organizational Behavior (Tallinn University, 2002), and BSc in Economics (University of Tartu, 1999). Additional training includes Executive Coaching (Estonian Business School, 2021–2022) and Communication Coaching (2004–2005). Research focuses on strategic HR practices, organizational culture measurement, and high-performance work systems, particularly in the ICT sector. Key interests include HR architecture typologies, employee engagement, and future HRM trends. Over 30 master's theses have been supervised, addressing topics like workplace stress, employee retention, and HR strategies in IT and healthcare sectors. Publications include contributions to IEEE conferences, EURAM workshops, and the Estonian HR Handbook. Active in professional bodies like the Estonian HR Association (PARE Board Member since 2020).
