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Lea Altnurme (born December 23, 1968) is an Associate Professor of Sociology of Religion at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, School of Theology and Religious Studies. She has been affiliated with the University of Tartu since 1995, holding various research and teaching positions including Senior Research Fellow in Sociology of Religion (2016-2020) and Senior Research Fellow in Religion Studies (2011-2016). Dr. Altnurme earned her Doctor's Degree in 2006 from the University of Tartu with a dissertation titled 'Kristlusest oma usuni' (From Christianity to Own Belief), supervised by Tarmo Kulmar and Ülo Valk. Her educational background includes a degree in History from the University of Tartu (1994, cum laude) and a Master of Theology (1997). Her primary research interests focus on the religiosity of Estonians throughout history and in contemporary society, with particular expertise in non-Christian religions, esotericism, religious individualization, and the marginalization of Christianity in Estonia. Her work examines how religious traditions transform in modern society, especially within Estonian context. Dr. Altnurme's publications reveal a strong focus on contemporary religious trends in Estonia, particularly the rise of new spiritualities, esoteric practices, and nature-based religious expressions. Her recent work (2020-2025) explores topics including nature worship, shamanic traditions, ayahuasca communities, religious healing, and the complex relationship between institutional and vernacular religious expressions in post-secular Estonia. 2006: The expert commission of social sciences of Estonian Science Foundation acknowledged her project 'Religious Life in Estonia in the Second Half of the 20th Century' She is an active member of the Estonian academic community, serving as a member of the Estonian Society for the Study of Religions (and board member from 2006-2010) and the Estonian Society of Academic Theology (serving as secretary from 1999-2001 and 2003-2006). Her research contributes significantly to understanding the complex religious landscape of contemporary Estonia and its historical development.

• Religiosity of Estonians in history
• Contemporary religious trends
• Non-Christian religions
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Kaido Soom is a Lecturer in Practical Theology at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, School of Theology and Religious Studies. He holds a Doctor's Degree from the University of Tartu (2007) focusing on adult confirmation strategies in the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. His career spans over two decades with continuous academic and administrative roles within the University's theological departments. Research interests center on contemporary religiosity, church dynamics, and practical theology with notable projects including studies on young people's religious attitudes (ETF9108) and the historical dynamics of Estonian religiosity (SF0182580s03). Publications span topics such as Estonian religious demographics, comparative theology with Finland, and liturgical practices. He has contributed to interdisciplinary projects including medical education reforms and ecclesiastical administration during crises. Active in both national and international theological discourse, his work bridges academic research with practical church development strategies.

• Theology
• Practical Theology
• Religious Studies
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Erki Lind is a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities. His academic career includes roles at the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Institute of Cultural Research, and adjunct positions at Tallinn University of Technology. Lind holds a doctoral degree (2015) and a Research Master's (2009) from the University of Tartu and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, respectively. His research focuses on religious embodiment, perspectivism in Eastern philosophies, and historical missions. Key areas include the body's role in religious practices (Chinese/Indian contexts), trans-cultural mission studies, and interreligious communication. He has led projects like 'Vernacular Interpretations of the Incomprehensible' (2020–2024), funded by the Estonian Research Council. Lind's publications span religious education textbooks, comparative religion studies, and historical analyses. Notable works include Chinese Perspectivism (2014) and The Concept of the Body in Chinese and Indian Bodily Practices (2015 dissertation). Awards include 3rd place in the 2012 National Student Research Competition and 2009 Estonian Academy of Sciences Prize. Affiliations: Estonian Society for the Study of Religions, Estonian Oriental Society Led a 5-year project on folkloristic interpretations of uncertainty Co-authored religious education textbooks and edited volumes on East Asian religiosities in Europe

• Religious Studies
• Cultural History
• Perspectivism in Religion
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Atko-Sulhan Remmel is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, School of Theology and Religious Studies. His career spans roles from 2011-2016 as Research Fellow at the University of Tartu, followed by senior researcher positions (2017-2020) and current associate professorship (2024-). He holds a doctorate in Theology (2011) and a Research Master's in Theology (2004) from the University of Tartu, with Fulbright and Kent University methodological training. Remmel's research focuses on nationalism and (non)religion, Soviet antireligious policies, Estonian cultural secularism, and contemporary religiosity trends. His work bridges historical analysis of Soviet-era religious suppression with modern nonreligion studies, examining eco-nationalist narratives and post-Christian existential frameworks. His recent publications analyze quantitative nonreligion surveys, Estonian secular identity, and nature-spirituality intersections. He leads projects like 'Methods for the Study of Religion' (€25,000) and 'Mapping the Existential Field in Post-Christian Context' (€17,000), funded by the Estonian Language Institute and University of Tartu. Remmel's scientific awards include the 2021 Keel ja Kirjandus journal prize for cultural history and the 2016 Marie Curie Fellowship. He serves on editorial boards for Religio and e-Rhizome , and leads the Nonreligion and Secularity Research Network (2024-2025). He has supervised 5 master's theses including topics on Estonian religious media, secular identity, and interfaith relations. His grants include the John Templeton Foundation's €16,862 study on Estonian unbelief (2018-2019) and a €84,650 Södertörn University grant for transcendence relocation research (2017-2022).

• Nationalism and (Non)Religion
• Soviet Antireligious Policy
• Religion and Nonreligion in Estonian Culture
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Riho Altnurme is a Professor of Church History and Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu. He has held numerous leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty of Theology (2006–2015) and has been a visiting professor at the University of Latvia. His academic work is deeply rooted in Estonian and Baltic religious history, with a focus on church-state relations and theological developments under Soviet rule. His research interests include: Church history, particularly of Estonia and the Baltic region History of theology in Estonia Secularization and religious change Church-state relations in the 20th century Interconfessional and ecumenical relations Historiography and methodology of church history Altnurme's recent publications reflect a strong engagement with transnational religious history, the impact of secularization, and the role of religious institutions in modern society. His work spans book chapters, edited volumes, and journal articles, often analyzing the interplay between religion, nationalism, and political transformation in Eastern Europe. He has contributed significantly to understanding how religious communities navigated persecution and maintained identity under Soviet rule. His scientific honors include: Honorary doctorate from the University of Latvia (2024) Honorary doctorate from the University of Helsinki (2023) University of Tartu Medal (2021) Rektor-von-Ewers-Preis for his doctoral thesis (2002) Altnurme has supervised over 15 doctoral and master’s students and has led major research projects on secularization, church history, and religious heritage. He is actively involved in academic service, including editorial work for the Theological Journal and leadership in the Estonian Church History Society, which he co-founded in 1997 and continues to chair. He also directs a research group on Estonian church and religious history and participates in international scholarly networks such as the Commission Internationale d’Histoire et d’Etudes du Christianisme. He has led or contributed to numerous research projects funded by the Estonian Research Council, the European Commission, and national archives, focusing on mapping religious heritage, ecumenism, and the dynamics of religiosity in civilizational context.

• Church History
• Theology
• History of the Christian Church
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Priit Rohtmets is an Associate Professor of Church History at the School of Theology and Religious Studies , University of Tartu (2021–present) and a Professor of Church History at the Theological Institute of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (2017–present). He has held various research and teaching roles at the University of Tartu since 2011, including Senior Research Fellow positions (2018–2020) and Lecturer (2017–2018). Rohtmets was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Leibniz Institute of European History (2013–2014). Rohtmets specializes in Church History , with a focus on Estonian religious dynamics during the 20th century. His research spans Orthodox and Lutheran Churches in Estonia, secularization processes, ecumenism , and geopolitical religious conflicts (particularly regarding the Russian Orthodox Church's role in the Ukraine War ). His work intersects theology , political history , and sociocultural transformations . Recent publications analyze religious adaptation (2024), orthodox imperial identity (2024), and Estonian Lutheran survival strategies (2024). His research shows consistent engagement with post-totalitarian religious recovery , church-state tensions , and modern ecclesiastical governance . Awards : 2020 – Silver Prize (Akadeemia) for Best Article in Socialia 2015 – Estonian Government Stipendium for Friedrich Akel Biography 2013 – Pfalz Evangelische Kirche Stipendium 2012 – 2nd Place (Estonian Student Research) 2008 – Estonian Students Fund (USA) and Estonian World Council Stipendium Rohtmets contributes to international advisory committees (Lutheran-Orthodox Joint Commission, 2025–), Estonian Public Broadcasting (2024–), and serves as Vice-Head of the School of Theology (2023–). He has participated in 10+ funded projects , including Religious Toleration and Peace (€194,750) and Orthodoxy as Solidarity (€168,750).

• Church History
• Theology
• Estonian Religious History
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Olga Schihalejev is an Associate Professor of Religious Education at the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu since 2021. Her career spans multiple institutions including Södertörn University (2014–2017) and Hugo Treffner Gymnasium (2016–2019), with expertise in curriculum development, pedagogical theory, and religious diversity in education. Current role: Associate Professor (1.00) at University of Tartu Previously: Research Fellow, Assistant, Lecturer Education: Doctoral degree (2009), MA in Theology (2002), BA in Children's Work (1998) Her research focuses on Religious Education , Didactic Theory , Values Education , School Culture , and Religious Diversity . Key projects include "Methods for the Study of Religion" (2025–2028) and "Post-Christian Existential Mapping" (2025). Publications analyze gender-religion intersections, textbook analysis, and teacher recruitment challenges across European contexts. Recent articles (2023–2025) examine gender equality in Christianity , Baltic school policies , and teacher shortages through empirical and comparative frameworks. Earlier works (2019–2020) explore Estonian curriculum design, bullying in multicultural schools, and travel-based pedagogy. She contributes to policy through board memberships in organizations like the European Forum for Teachers of Religious Education (EFTRE) and Nordic Conference on Religious Education . Grants include €25k (2025) and €151k (2021) for research into religious education and gender equality.

• Religious Education
• Didactics of Religious Education
• Values Education
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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.

• Psychology of Religion
• Religion and Behaviour
• Religious Developments in Estonia
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Eva Maria Vingiano De Pina Martins is a Researcher in Ethnology at the University of Tartu's Institute of Cultural Research (0.50 FTE since December 2024). She also holds a Professorship in Finno-Ugric Studies at Paris' INALCO since 2014. Her career includes roles such as Senior Research Fellow at Tartu and Associate Professor at INALCO. Education: PhD from INALCO (2002) on Udmurt written culture and national identity, with a habilitation (HDR) from INALCO (2010). Earlier degrees include political science (IEP Paris) and Finno-Ugric linguistics (Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III). Research focuses on written culture among Russia's Finno-Ugric peoples, Northern ethnic anthropology, and religious practices of Udmurts and Nenets. Key interests include cultural preservation, indigenous knowledge systems, and syncretic religious traditions. Publications highlight studies on Udmurt rituals, sacred sites, and animistic practices. Notable recent work includes analyses of Eastern Udmurt collective rituals and the interplay between native traditions and world religions. Awards: 2021 Estonian State Research Award nomination, 2008 Terra Mariana Cross Administrative roles: Editor of Etudes finno-ougriennes , ADEFO President Current project: 'Finno-Ugric Peoples of Russia: Negotiating Ethnicity and Religiosity' (2022–2026) Labs/Teams: Active in Finno-Ugric research networks, including the Finnish-Ugric Mitteilungen editorial board and Fenno-Ugria-funded projects.

• Cultural Anthropology
• Ethnology
• Written Culture of Finno-Ugric Peoples
• +4 more