Research Groups
The aim of the research groups at the Institute of Educational Sciences at Tallinn University is to conduct high-level research in teacher education and educational sciences, inclusive education, educational leadership and innovation, lifelong and non-formal learning, and primary and preschool education.
Collaboration in research and development is carried out internationally, with researchers from other institutes at Tallinn University and institutions from the public and private sectors.
The activities of the research groups are supported by the Centre of Excellence in Educational Innovation at Tallinn University.
EDUSPACE Research Group
EDUSPACE is a multidisciplinary research group that brings together the ÕPPES TECH-METH, Maker Academy, and EdTech Talents research groups. It includes researchers and lecturers from various fields, such as early childhood education, vocational and adult education, special needs education, AI didactics, and the study of digital learning environments. EDUSPACE develops and studies technology-enhanced learning and teaching across different educational contexts and integrates research outcomes into teaching, the activities of the EDUSPACE Lab, and knowledge transfer services.
Research Group
Janika Leoste (juht), Larissa Jõgi, Kadri Mettis, Maire Tuul, Katrin Männik, Meidi Sirk, Reeli Liivik, Helin Puksand, Tiiu Tammemäe, Õnne Uus, Aalo Banko, Sirly Väät, Marika Kutškova
Related projects
EdTech Talents, WINDEE, LED Education, AI-TransformED
Learning Ecology Research Group
The Learning Ecology Research Group aims to develop evidence-informed solutions for the intentional use of diverse social and physical environments to broaden learning opportunities in general education. The group also explores and develops professional practices that support teachers in navigating the ongoing changes and complexities of contemporary education.
Research Group
Leader: Inge Timoštšuk
Anne-Mai Näkk, Maria Erss, Helene Uppin, Kaidi Nurmik, Marelle Grünthal-Drell, Heddi Reinsalu, Helen Arov
Related projects
SustainERA - ERA Chair in Sustainable Futures Studies
The overall aim of the interdisciplinary research conducted by the SustainERA research group is to identify how individuals, organizations, and communities can be supported and guided in making more sustainable choices. An important part of the research group’s activities is the creation and development of an open laboratory for sustainable futures, which would serve as a long-term collaboration platform between the university and various stakeholders in society, enabling the implementation of interventions and educational activities that support sustainability goals.
Research Group
Team Leaders: Anu Realo, Kai Pata
Terje Väljataga, Grete Arro, Katrin Männik, Halliki Kreinin, Tarmo Pikner, Paula Hild, Dušan Pajovic, Leif Kalev, Mari Liis Jakobson, Kertu Vuks, Jaanus Terasmaa, Ayan Shamchiyeva, Amy Shackelford, Ruihan Bai, Siret Talve
More information is available on the project website
Related Projects
GEMS - Girls' Empowerment In Digital Skills
Learning Differences in School-Aged Children
The research group aims to generate and advance evidence-based knowledge and to develop materials, interventions, and assessment tools that support the learning and development of school-aged children with learning differences.
Research Group
Leader: Piret Soodla
Liina Malva, Maris Juhkam, Kristi Jakobson, Kadri-Ann Allika, Veronika Kalle, Ene Varik-Maasik, Helin Puksand, Anna-Liisa Jõgi
Related projects
- Learning and teaching in inclusice classrooms (HARTA A-2)
- Preparation of concepts for general parts of future curricula and development of assessment of general competences
- Hybrid Regulation of Learning using Open Learner Models: Towards Supporting Students in Meaningful Learning
KEKO - Cluster on adaptation and mitigation of environmental change
Project Group supports the sustainable development of society through the Centre of Excellence for Educational Innovation, the Centre of Excellence for Life Course, Wellbeing and Open Society Studies, the environmental humanities initiatives of the School of Humanities, and the societal impact activities of the School of Educational Sciences, while also contributing more broadly to Estonia’s international competitiveness. The focus of KEKO is on high-level research and development activities, including educational innovation, and on fostering cooperation with companies, other research and development institutions, and the non-profit sector.
As a result of these activities, cooperation between different research groups will be strengthened, more early-career researchers will be involved, new large-scale projects will be developed, studies will be carried out within the Sustainable Futures Research (SustainERA) working group, and new Open Laboratory collaboration formats will be created.
Research Group
Katrin Männik (Leader), Leif Kalev, Tarmo Pikner, Jaanus Terasmaa, Kai Pata, Anu Realo, Terje Väljataga, Grete Arro, Kadri Mettis, Elyna Heinmäe, Meril Ümarik, Triin Roosalu, Mari-Liis Jakobson, Indrek Saar, Katri-Liis Lepik, Eve-Liis Roosmaa, Georg Sootla, Maarja Hallik, Kersten Kattai, Sulev Lääne, Mihkel Kangur, Tiina Elvisto, Piret Vacht, Mailis Ostra, Bianka Plüschke-Altof, Galina Kapanen, Jaana Taar, Kadi Liik, Tauri Tuvikene, Hannes Palang, Raili Nugin, Kadri Kasemets, Eva Keskküla, Marek Tamm, Anu Printsmann, Maarja Kaaristo, Liisi Keedus, Hanna-Liis Kaarlõp, Arko Olesk, Anastassia Zabrodskaja, Triinu Jesmin
SEEMIK Research Group
The members of Tallinn University's interdisciplinary research group SEEMIK, which includes Elina Malleus-Kotšegarov, Grete Arro, Jaanus Terasmaa, Mihkel Kangur, Arko Olesk, Esta Kaal and Priit Tammets, lead the Erasmus+ cooperation project, the aim of which is to develop the Discovery Path application further and thereby support teachers and employees of nature education centers in teaching biodiversity topics.
The research group focuses on exploring and improving environmental education and communication through citizen science, educational innovation, teacher competencies, or researcher communication skills. The research interests of the research group include studying the process of changing environmental misconceptions and concepts in communication and education.
General competencies: Assessment and Development
The aim of the research group is to develop a concept for describing indicators of general competences in general and higher education, and to create tools for assessing and developing key competences (learning, reading, social-emotional, and entrepreneurial competences). The group also aims to develop cooperation with educational institutions for the implementation of these tools.
Research group
Eve Kikas (leader), Piret Soodla, Aaro Toomela, Kaja Mädamürk, Elina Malleus-Kotšegarov, Ita Puusepp, Kati Aus, Pirko Tõugu, Valeri Murnokov, Maris Juhkam, Mikk Granström, Anne-Mai Meesak, Kristiina Treial, Triinu Kilp-Kabel, Lisa Loifenfeldt, Remy Suurna, Carl-Eric Pehme, Eliis Ait
Related Projects
Pathways of Life and Learning
The interdisciplinary research strand / research group “Pathways of Life and Learning” focuses on education, life trajectories, and lifelong learning. The interdisciplinary group brings together researchers from the fields of education (including adult and vocational education), sociology, and youth studies from three institutes of Tallinn University (SIC, SASS, and SIE), enabling the integration of diverse perspectives in the study of life courses and educational pathways.
The research group builds on the data legacy of Academician Ellu Saar and on approaches from life-course, educational, and biographical studies that focus on the relationship between individuals and society across time and space. The group analyses subjective experiences, identities, and meaning-making processes in the contexts of education, life trajectories, and lifelong learning, complementing event-based quantitative life-course studies.
In the longer term, the research group aims to connect historical research heritage (“Life Paths of Generations”) with a new generation of qualitative longitudinal studies (for example, the ELSY project), thereby creating a unique opportunity to analyse intergenerational patterns of life trajectories, educational pathways, and lifelong learning, as well as the impact of social change on individuals’ life courses and future perspectives.
Focus: qualitative longitudinal studies; conducting longitudinal studies of youth.
Reasearch Group
Leaders: Larissa Jõgi ja Gerli Nimmerfelt
Members: Meril Ümarik, Krista Loogma, Ilona-Evelin Rannala, Jelena Helemäe, Liis Ojamäe, Triin Roosalu, Pille Petersooo, Margarita Kazjulja, Maaris Raudsepp
SELC EDU - Social, emotional, and learning competences in education
The aim of research group is to conceptualize, study and apply social, emotional and learning competences in changing educational environment.
Research Group
Xin Tang (leader), Elina Malleus-Kotšegarov, Eve Kikas, Valeri Murnikov, Mikk Granström, Anne-Mai Meesak, Astra Schults, Karin Lillemaa, Marilyn Jurman, Kristiina Treial , Ita Puusepp, Kati Aus
Related Projects
KÕPA – Contemporary Approaches to Learning and Teaching Practices in Early Childhood Education
The aim of the research group is to advance early childhood education by analysing the learning environment of preschool-aged children, as well as the conceptions of learning and teaching practices of stakeholders involved in children’s education. The group designs and implements interventions, develops educational and guidance materials, and disseminates its work through scientific publications, conference presentations, and public engagement activities.
The research group collaborates with the journal Tea ja Toimeta.
Research Group
Maire Tuul (Leader), Evelyn Neudorf, Silvi Suur, Kerstin Kööp, Aino Ugaste, Kaire Kollom, master’s and bachelor’s students, alumni, and colleagues from abroad.
Educational Assessment and Digital Technology in Early Childhood Education
The aim of the research group is to integrate the possibilities of digital technology with educational assessment practices in order to support children’s development and learning in early childhood education. More specifically, the research group develops digital assessment tools that take into account each child’s individual development and learning needs; studies the attitudes, skills, and readiness of children and professionals working with children in implementing digital technology; prepares learning materials for teachers and support specialists; and supports their implementation in practice.
Research Group
Anne-Mai Meesak (Leader), Tiiu Tammemäe, Astra Schults, Elyna Heinmäe, Kaire Kollom, Natalia Tšuikina, Tiia Õun
Related Projects
- Developing an e-handbook for supporting teaching Estonian language to children whose mother tongue is different from Estonian
- Technology-enriched games for kindergartens to learn the Estonian language
- Preparation of concepts for general parts of future curricula and development of assessment of general competences
Educational improvement and leadership
UThe research group seeks to advance Estonian education through research on educational leadership and school improvement. Its focus is on understanding how learning-oriented organisational cultures can be developed in educational institutions through shared leadership, collaborative practices, and evidence-based decision-making.
Research Group
Leader: Eve Eisenchmidt
Raisa Carpelan, Kätlin Vanari, Daniel Reinaru, Joosep Norma, Berit Silvia Kondratjev, Marcus Ehasoo, Piret Oppi
Related Projects
Improvement support for educational institutions