معرفی
Indrek Soidla is a Junior Lecturer of Social Analysis at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Social Studies since January 2021. His academic career spans over fifteen years at the University of Tartu with additional experience at the Center for Social Research in Eastern Europe. Soidla specializes in survey methodology, postsocialist societies, and social stratification, with recent work expanding into digital literacy and aging populations. He holds a Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Tartu and pursued doctoral studies focused on occupational success in postsocialist transformation.
Education:
- PhD studies in Sociology at University of Tartu (2008-), interrupted
- Visiting studies at Stanford University, USA (2013)
- Master's Degree in Sociology, University of Tartu (2006-2008)
- Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, University of Tartu (2001-2006)
- Visiting studies at the University of Konstanz, Germany (2004-2005)
Soidla's research demonstrates deep expertise in survey methodology within postsocialist contexts, particularly Estonia. His work examines social stratification, digital transformation, migration attitudes, and aging populations. He has developed specialized knowledge in longitudinal research design and comparative European studies, with a strong emphasis on methodological rigor in challenging research environments. His recent publications show a clear progression from traditional sociological studies of postsocialist transformation toward contemporary interdisciplinary research that bridges sociology with biology, public health, and digital studies.
His publication record reveals a consistent focus on methodological innovation and substantive contributions to understanding societal transformation. Recent work (2020-2024) increasingly addresses digital literacy, aging populations, and migration through large-scale European comparative studies. Earlier publications (2007-2012) focused more narrowly on postsocialist transformation, occupational mobility, and market transition theory, establishing his foundational expertise in Estonian social research.
Scientific Awards:
- DoRa Scholarship for research at Stanford University (2013)
- DAAD Scholarship for attending the 58th International Summer School in Humanities at University of Mainz (2006)
Soidla has been a key contributor to numerous research projects, particularly the European Social Survey in Estonia (2016-2024), where he has collaborated extensively with Mare Ainsaar. He has made significant contributions to projects on data competence development (2019-2020), elderly health (2017-2020), migration attitudes (2015-2016), and digital inclusion (2018-2020). His administrative work includes active membership in the International Sociological Association's Research Committee on Social Stratification since 2012 and the Doctoral School of Behavioural, Social and Health Sciences since 2010.
Soidla is deeply embedded in the research ecosystem of the University of Tartu's Institute of Social Studies, collaborating with colleagues across disciplines including sociology, public health, and digital studies. His work on the European Social Survey has positioned him as a key methodological expert for large-scale comparative research in Estonia.