معرفی
Veronika Kalmus is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Social Studies since 2015. She has held various academic positions at the University of Tartu since 1991, including Professor of Media Studies (2009-2013) and Associate Professor in Media Studies (2005-2009). She is an internationally recognized scholar with memberships in Academia Europaea and AcademiaNet, and has received numerous awards including the National Research Award in Social Sciences (2022).
Her educational background includes a Doctor's Degree in Sociology from the University of Tartu (2003), a Research Master's Degree in Media Studies from the University of Oslo (1998), and additional graduate studies in Sociology at the University of Tartu. She completed her undergraduate studies in Sociology at the University of Tartu (cum laude, 1995).
Kalmus's research focuses on social transformation, mediatization, datafication, and platformization in contemporary society, with particular attention to social acceleration, generational dynamics, and children's and young people's digital media use. Her work examines how digital technologies reshape socialization processes, value orientations, and intergenerational relationships. She investigates the formation of media generations, digital skills development, and the social mediation of children's media use in an increasingly datafied world.
Her recent publications analyze surveillance experiences across generations, digital skills among European youth, and the impact of digital tools on mental well-being. Her work demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersection of digital technologies, social change, and generational dynamics, with methodological innovations in cross-cultural and intergenerational research.
- National Research Award in Social Sciences (2022)
- Membership of Academia Europaea (2019)
- Membership of AcademiaNet: Leading European Women Scientists (2020)
- The Badge of Distinction, University of Tartu (2017)
- Vitols Prize of the American Association of Baltic Studies (2010)
- Young Scientist Award of the Cultural Foundation of the President of the Republic of Estonia (2008)
Professor Kalmus has supervised multiple doctoral students including Signe Opermann, Marit Napp, and Andra Siibak, with several receiving national recognition. She has led significant research projects including the Estonian Science Foundation grant project 'Children and Young People in the Emerging Information and Consumer Society' (2007-2010) and 'Generations and Inter-generational Relationships in the Emerging Information Society' (2011-2015). Her administrative roles include membership in the University of Tartu Senate (2017-present), Director of the PhD study programme in Sociology (2015-present), and founder of the European Media Salon (2021-2024).
She leads the international research network EU Kids Online as Estonian project team leader (2007-present) and is actively involved in developing research methodologies for studying digital family life through the PlatFams project. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications for understanding digital transformations in everyday life across generations.
