Anti Selart

Anti Selart is a distinguished Professor of Medieval History at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, where he serves as both Professor and Dean of the Faculty. He has held leadership positions including Head of the Institute of History and Archaeology and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities since 2020. His academic career spans over two decades at the University of Tartu, with additional experience as an Interim Professor at Universität Greifswald.

• Professor of Medieval History (2009-present)
• Head of Institute (2013-2019)
• Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities (2020-present)

Dr. Selart received his education at the University of Tartu, completing his BA and MA studies cum laude in History, followed by his Doctoral studies. His academic journey reflects deep commitment to Baltic historical studies, particularly medieval Livonia.

• BA in History (cum laude), University of Tartu, 1995
• MA in History (cum laude), University of Tartu, 1997
• PhD in History, University of Tartu, 2002

Dr. Selart's research focuses on the history of Livonia in the Middle Ages and 16th century, with particular expertise in interconfessional relations in Eastern Europe during this period. His scholarly work examines the complex political, religious, and social dynamics of the Baltic region, especially the interactions between Christian crusaders and local populations, as well as the relationship between Livonia and Rus. His research bridges historical analysis with cultural studies, exploring how religious identities were negotiated in frontier regions. His most significant contribution is the comprehensive study 'Medieval Livonia. History, Society and Economy of a Territory on the Baltic Frontier' (2025), which synthesizes decades of research on the subject.

His extensive publication record, comprising over 330 works, demonstrates consistent scholarly productivity with recent publications showing continued engagement with medieval Baltic history. His work spans various formats including monographs, book chapters, journal articles, and reviews. The research reveals a progression from focused studies on specific historical episodes to broader syntheses examining the social, economic, and religious structures of medieval Livonia. His recent work shows particular interest in economic aspects of the crusades, population studies, and the religious networks connecting Livonia with other European regions.

Dr. Selart's scientific achievements have been recognized with several prestigious awards:

• Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship (2006)
• Dr. Arthur Puksow Fund First Prize (2003)
• Rektor-von-Ewers-Preis (2002)
• Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH Scholarship (2001)

As an academic leader, Dr. Selart has secured significant research funding, including a €84,500 European Commission grant for 'Recovering Past Stories for the Future: A Synergistic Approach to Textual and Oral Heritage of Small Communities' (2024-2026). He actively participates in scholarly governance as a member of the Baltische Historische Kommission and the Academic Historical Society. His administrative roles demonstrate commitment to advancing humanities research and education at institutional and international levels.