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Anu Sepp is a Senior Lecturer in Music Pedagogy at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (part-time since 2019) and a University Lecturer in Music Education at the University of Eastern Finland (full-time since 2023). Her career includes roles as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, Associate Professor at EAMT, and extensive experience as a secondary school music/English teacher and choir conductor in Estonia and Finland. Education: PhD in Education, University of Helsinki (2008–2014) Master of Educational Sciences, Tallinn Pedagogical University (1999–2001) English Teacher Certification, Tallinn Pedagogical University (1992–1994) Music Teacher & Choir Conductor Diploma, Tallinn State Conservatoire (1981–1986) Her research explores music pedagogy, teacher training, curriculum innovation, and technology in education, with a strong focus on comparative studies between Estonia and Finland. She investigates interactive teaching methods, equity in music education, and the development of sustainable pedagogical frameworks. Her publications (2018–2023) predominantly analyze music teacher education, piano pedagogy, technology-enhanced learning, and curriculum design. Trends include longitudinal studies on student-teacher development, comparative education models, and integrating traditional pedagogical values with digital innovation. Scientific Awards: Riho Päts Foundation Laureate (2015) DKG International Scholarship (2013) Kristjan Jaagu Scholarship (2012) Ministry of Education Awards (2010, 2001) Teacher of the Year (1996) She has supervised 9 master’s theses and contributed to national curriculum reforms in Estonia. As a choir conductor, she led award-winning ensembles (1987–2023). She serves on committees for ISME, EAMT’s Scientific Board, and co-organizes international conferences like MISTEC.

• Music Pedagogy
• Teacher Education
• Curriculum Development
• +3 more

Kerri Kotta is a Professor of Music Theory and Head of Musicology at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. She holds a PhD in Musicology (2004) and an MA in Composition (1997) from the same institution. Her research focuses on music theory, tonal analysis, Estonian music history, and contemporary composition, with special expertise in the works of Eduard Tubin and Dmitri Shostakovich. She coordinates the International Eduard Tubin Society and edits the composer's complete works. Her research interests span music theory , compositional techniques , Estonian cultural heritage , and interdisciplinary performance studies . Recent publications explore modernism in Estonian art music, Beethoven's structural rhetoric, and socio-psychological dimensions of contemporary opera. Kotta received the Reet Neimar Criticism Award (2023) for her contributions to music scholarship. She leads the project How to share the ardor? Conveying complex musical structures through animated scores (2024-2025), funded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture. Administratively, she chairs the Estonian Musicological Society (2013–present) and the International Eduard Tubin Society (2015–present), while serving on the board of the Estonian Composers Union (2022–present).

• Music Theory
• Composition
• Estonian Music History
• +3 more

Anneli Kaasa is a Professor of Social and Cultural Studies in Economics at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Social Sciences. She holds a PhD in Economics and has been affiliated with the University of Tartu since 1998, progressing through roles such as Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Head of Chair. Her research focuses on the interplay between culture, social capital, governance, and economic development. She has led projects like 'Up-to-date measures of culture at the country and regional level' (2019–2023) and has served on numerous academic councils, including the Estonian Council of the European Social Survey. Her teaching includes courses on cultural context in economics, advanced mathematical methods for economics, and microeconomics. Kaasa has supervised over 20 graduate students and has published extensively on cultural dimensions, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Notable awards include the 2023 Mihhail Bronšteini Award and nomination to AcademiaNet in 2020. Her work integrates cross-cultural psychology, sociology, and economics to explore societal dynamics and their economic implications.

• Cultural Studies
• Economics
• Social Capital
• +4 more

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
• +3 more

Per Daniel Sävborg is a Professor of Scandinavian Studies at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, affiliated with the Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures. He holds a Doctor's Degree from the University of Stockholm (1997), specializing in Old Norse literature and philology. His career includes roles as Head of Office and Programme Director in Tartu's foreign languages departments, alongside research positions at Uppsala University and the University of Iceland. Sävborg's research focuses on Old Norse literature, medieval Scandinavian folklore, Icelandic sagas, and Eddic poetry. He has led major projects such as 'Formulae in Icelandic Saga Literature' (2019-2022) and 'Viking Dynasties: Royal Families of Lejre and Uppsala' (2018-2019). His publications span book chapters, edited volumes, and articles in journals like Religionsvidenskabeligt Tidsskrift and Ethnologia Scandinavica . Notable works include analyses of Old Norse mythological themes, interdisciplinary Viking Age studies, and editorial contributions to sagas and epic poetry. Sävborg advises numerous doctoral and master’s students on topics ranging from medieval Nordic narratives to folklore. His work bridges literary, historical, and archaeological perspectives, emphasizing cultural memory and textual evolution.

• Old Norse Literature
• Philology
• Old Germanic Literature
• +3 more

Marko Rillo serves as the Head of MBA Curriculum at the Estonian Business School (EBS), an institution focused on business education. He holds a PhD in Management from the University of St.Gallen (Switzerland), specializing in Organizational Ambidexterity and Strategic Practices, alongside an MA in Economics from TalTech and a Bachelor’s degree from EBS. His academic career includes teaching courses such as Innovation Management, Strategic Management, and VUCA Innovation Practices. His research emphasizes workplace playfulness through LEGO Serious Play methodology and strategic leadership challenges in balancing innovation and operational effectiveness. Education Background: PhD in Management, University of St.Gallen (2020) MA in Economics, TalTech Bachelor’s Degree, Estonian Business School Advanced studies in Strategy and Innovation at INSEAD, IESE, Aarhus University, and Lappeenranta University of Technology Research Interests: His work spans organizational strategy, innovation management, change management, and leadership development. Notably, he has pioneered LEGO Serious Play methodologies in facilitation and strategic planning. His studies on ambidexterity explore how organizations balance exploration (innovation) and exploitation (efficiency) under leadership. Publications and Themes: His articles focus on strategy process dynamics, balanced scorecard applications, and workshop facilitation techniques. Recent work highlights client-centric strategies and conscious incompetence frameworks in team development. Recognition and Impact: Consulting experience with the European Commission, EBRD, and UN Developed training programs for businesses and institutions Advising and Outreach: Runs the social initiative Bright Knit l, enhancing student well-being through community engagement. No formal advisees listed, but contributes to curriculum design impacting students indirectly. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with EBS faculty on MBA program development and innovation initiatives.

• Organizational Strategy
• Innovation Management
• Change Management
• +3 more

Veronika Mooses is a Research Fellow in Human Geography at the University of Tartu’s Faculty of Science and Technology, affiliated with the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences. Her research focuses on ethnic segregation, spatial analysis, and urban geography, leveraging mobile phone data and geospatial methods. She holds a PhD from the University of Tartu (2021) and has taught courses including 'Planning Project' and 'Research Methods in Human Geography' since 2016. Currently involved in projects like Cycle4Climate (2024–2027) and OPEN LAB (2021–2026), she has supervised four master’s theses on topics ranging from ethnic segregation metrics to smart city retrofitting. Her work bridges demographic studies with technological innovation, emphasizing climate justice and urban sustainability. Education: Doctor’s Degree in Human Geography, University of Tartu (2021) Master’s Degree in Human Geography and Regional Planning, University of Tartu (2014) Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, University of Tartu (2011) Research Interests: Ethnic segregation patterns, spatial inequality, climate justice, smart city technologies, and urban mobility. Her work often employs mobile phone data and geospatial analytics to explore demographic dynamics in urban and regional contexts. Key Projects: Cycle4Climate (2024–2027): Co-creating sustainable cycling solutions in the Baltic region. OPEN LAB (2021–2026): Innovating positive energy neighborhoods through living labs. Publications: Over 10 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, focusing on segregation analysis, climate justice, and smart urban technologies. Recent work includes studies on thermal inequality in Spain and transnational activity spaces.

• Human Geography
• Social Geography
• Urban Studies
• +5 more

Annukka Jyrämä is Professor of Cultural Management at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT) since 2012 (0.75 part-time) and Senior Advisor at Aalto University. She holds a Ph.D. in Marketing from Helsinki School of Economics (1999) and a Master's in International Business (1991). Her research integrates cultural management, arts marketing, and organizational studies. Research Focus: Jyrämä's work explores co-creation dynamics, cultural policy frameworks, technology adoption in arts management, and organizational identity. Recent projects examine mentorship models and cultural joint ventures. Her research consistently addresses inclusivity and sustainability in creative ecosystems. Publications: Recent articles emphasize participatory cultural practices, policy capacity-building, and digital transformation in arts management, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches across 63+ publications. Awards: Best Paper Award, AIMAC 2015 (Management) Supervision & Projects: Mentored 47+ graduate students and 2 postdocs. Leads EU-funded projects like 'Reinventing Mentoring in Arts Management' (€319,999) and 'Inclusive Wellbeing Through Arts in Baltics'. Current work includes orchestra identity studies and EU Erasmus collaborations.

• Cultural Management
• Arts Marketing
• Co-creation
• +3 more

Paloma Krõõt Tupay is an Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Tartu’s School of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences. She holds a Doctor’s Degree in Law from the University of Cologne, focusing on comparative constitutional analysis. Her career includes roles as Legal Adviser to the President of Estonia (2016–2018), Chair of the EU Council’s Working Party on Fundamental Rights (2017), and Legal Secretary at the Ministry of Justice (2014–2016). She is a member of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and the Supervisory Council of the Estonian Human Rights Centre. Her research emphasizes constitutional law, human rights, EU law, and digital governance. Key interests include the intersection of technology and law, particularly in e-governance and AI’s impact on public administration. She leads projects like the development of a constitutional law textbook and a risk-prediction tool for social care support. Her work bridges legal theory with practical policy, addressing challenges in digital constitutionalism, data protection, and democratic governance. Publications span constitutional reviews, GDPR compliance, and Estonia’s digital governance model. Notable contributions include analyses of the Estonian Supreme Court’s dynamics and the impact of AI on fundamental rights. Awards include recognition for public engagement in constitutional issues (2022) and the University of Tartu’s Law Lecturer of the Year (2020). Her involvement in grants includes leading projects on public administration legal aspects and volunteering service reforms. She collaborates on international initiatives, such as the JUDICON-EU project analyzing judicial-legislative relations across Europe, and contributes to conferences on AI governance, human rights, and constitutional design.

• Constitutional Law
• Human Rights
• EU Law
• +5 more

Matthew James Sorell is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide since October 2002. He holds a Doctor's Degree from George Mason University (1998), supervised by Geoff Orsak, focusing on 'Robust Importance Sampling'. His research spans Digital Forensics, Criminal Investigation, and Computer Science, with emphasis on image/video analysis, surveillance technologies, and data provenance. Education: PhD in Computer Sciences, George Mason University, 1998 Research Interests: His work focuses on digital evidence analysis, forensic science applications, and the development of methodologies for authenticating digital media. Key areas include photo-sensor fingerprinting, mobile forensics (e.g., Snapchat surveillance protocols), and health data provenance analysis (Apple Health databases). He has contributed to advancing video motion detection, smart camera systems, and forensic photography audit logs. Publications: His recent work emphasizes digital forensics in health data and social media, with notable contributions to Forensic Science International Digital Investigation and IEEE conferences. Earlier research includes biologically-inspired video enhancement and JPEG quantization analysis. Professional Roles: From 2017-2022, he worked as a Digital Investigations Consultant (part-time). He has edited conference proceedings (e.g., e-Forensics 2009) and contributed to interdisciplinary studies like food advertising patterns on Australian TV. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with teams in digital crime forensics, surveillance systems, and multimedia forensics, reflected in his conference organizing roles and journal editorships.

• Digital Forensics
• Criminal Investigation
• Computer Science
• +4 more

Aleksandra Kekkonen is a Senior Research Fellow at the Estonian Business School's Center for Management Studies, specializing in sustainable development and green transition. She holds a PhD in Economics from the Russian Academy of Sciences (2013) and has over 11 years of experience in human capital, labor market, and education system research at national/international levels. Current roles: Research Fellow (EBS), Project Lead in sustainability initiatives Prior institutions: Petrozavodsk State University (Senior Researcher, 2014–2019) Research focus: Circular economy, green economy innovation, sustainability policy, and labor market dynamics Teaching includes courses like 'Green Economy', 'Circular Economy', and 'Sustainability Crisis Management' Research Highlights: Her work bridges sustainability theory and practice, with recent studies on corporate green transition barriers, community-driven financial ecosystems, and multi-level stakeholder frameworks for regional transitions. Key publications include Social Inclusion and Community Participation in Driving Sustainable Financial Ecosystems (2025) and Operationalizing Doughnut Economics (2024). Awards: EBS Green Ambassador (2022), 'UMNIK' Youth Innovation Competition Winner (2015), and multiple research recognitions for labor market studies in Karelia. Projects: Leads initiatives such as the COST Action 'Transformations for Sustainable Futures' and an AI-driven green entrepreneurship course. Previously managed EU-funded projects like the Innovative Finance Inclusion initiative. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Sustainable Circular Economy research group at EBS, focusing on transdisciplinary solutions for green innovation and stakeholder engagement.

• Sustainable Development
• Green Transition
• Circular Economy
• +4 more

Wilson Ofotsu Otchie is a PhD-holding Research Fellow in Educational Technology at the Institute of Education, University of Tartu. His career spans 25 years in education, including roles as Principal, Head of Science Department, and Senior Examiner for the West African Examinations Council. PhD in Educational Sciences (2022), University of Tartu MPhil in Educational Innovations and Leadership Science (2016), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana BSc in Botany and Zoology with Education Diploma (1997), University of Cape Coast His research focuses on integrating social media into pedagogical frameworks, examining affordances for contextualized learning. Recent work explores YouTube's role in STEM education and the use of virtual labs to enhance practical learning experiences. Key projects include the Virtual Science Lab at North Legon Little Campus and advising the UNRWA education program digitalization. Awards include the 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Best Teacher Award and 1991 Best National Service Personnel (Education Category) in Ghana.

• Educational Technology
• Social Media in Education
• STEM Education
• +3 more

Lauri Lihtmaa is a Researcher at the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture , University of Tallinn College of Engineering . His work spans energy efficiency in building stock renovation , urban sustainability , and policy-driven environmental economics , with a focus on Estonian housing dynamics and modernist district revitalization . Education : Research Master's in Maakorraldus (2004) from Estonian University of Life Sciences; PhD studies in Renovation Patterns (ongoing at Tallinn University of Technology, and Sustainability Assessment (interrupted at Estonian University of Life Sciences). His research interests center on: Energy-efficient building renovation (particularly multifamily structures) Climate-resilient urban development for post-WWII districts Policy analysis of subsidy distribution in environmental economics Strategic environmental assessment in local governance Current projects include leading roles in: European Commission-funded Collaborative Pre-Fabricated District Reinvention (2024-2027) CINEA-supported Heritage Home Renovation Services (2023-2026) Ministry of Education-backed Energy Efficiency Center of Excellence (2024-2030)

• Environmental Policy
• Construction and Municipal Engineering
• Political Science and Administration
• +4 more

Pirko Tõugu is an Associate Professor of Developmental and Cognitive Psychology at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, holding this position since March 2024. Previously, she served as Lecturer and Research Fellow in Developmental Psychology at the same institution since 2012, with a period as Visiting Professor at Tallinn University's School of Educational Sciences from 2018-2020. Her academic journey includes a Doctoral Degree in Psychology from University of Tartu (2012), Master's Degree in Psychology (2006), and postdoctoral training at Loyola University Chicago (2015-2017). Her research interests focus primarily on developmental psychology, with emphasis on autobiographical memory development, parent-child interactions during reminiscing, socialization processes across cultural contexts, and children's learning in informal educational settings like museums. Her work often examines how family interactions shape children's cognitive and social development, with particular attention to narrative processes and memory formation. Her publication record demonstrates a consistent research trajectory examining children's cognitive and social development through multiple lenses. The most recent articles reveal a strong focus on autobiographical memory development across the lifespan, the impact of the pandemic on family interactions and child development, and how museum environments facilitate children's learning. Her research frequently employs cross-cultural comparative approaches, longitudinal designs, and both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to understand developmental processes. AcademiaNet member (since 2022) Editorial board member of Infant and Child Development (since 2022) Dr. Tõugu has supervised 10 master's theses on topics ranging from children's pandemic memories to bullying experiences and museum learning. She currently leads significant research projects including 'Autobiographical memory as a multilayered construct: development beyond early childhood and a tool for learning' (2019-2025) with €312,896 funding, and 'Study: What age limits would be the most accurate approximations of young people's decision-making and responsibility capabilities?' (2025). Her research has attracted substantial funding from Estonian Research Council, Ministry of Education and Research, and other national funding bodies. Her work extends to public outreach, including media appearances discussing brain science (TeadusEST: 8. Aju, 2024) and pandemic effects on children (Vikerraadio ERR, 2023), demonstrating her commitment to translating research findings for broader societal impact.

• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Child Psychology
• +5 more

Maria Claudia Solarte Vasquez is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Law within the School of Business and Governance at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). She holds a Doctorate in Law from TalTech (2019), focusing on Smart Contracting for Proactive Governance of Digital Exchange. Her academic career includes roles as a Visiting Lecturer and Post-Doc researcher at institutions like Aalto University and CES University. Education & Professional Background: PhD in Law (2019), Tallinn University of Technology Master in International Legal Studies (1994–1995), Washington College of Law Bachelor in Law and Political Sciences (1989–1993), Pontifical Bolivarian University Exchange semester at Aalto University (2014) International Mediation Training (2002) Research Focus: Technology Governance, Proactive Law, Legal Innovation Management, Contract Theory, AI Regulation, ODR/ADR, and EU Legal Frameworks. She has contributed to over 30 publications and led/coordinated projects such as the EU-funded 'Digital Rights Awareness' (2022–2024) and 'Conflict Resolution with Equitative Algorithms' (2022–2024). Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator for EU-funded projects on AI regulation and digital rights Co-edited books on AI governance and legal innovation Member of Design Research Society and peer reviewer for journals like the European Journal of Innovation Management Teaching & Outreach: Designs courses on legal technology, dispute resolution, and international business law. Engaged in interdisciplinary initiatives like the LAITech Conference and workshops on cybersecurity and legal design.

• Technology Governance
• Proactive Law
• Legal Innovation Management
• +8 more