Senate
The Senate of Tallinn University is the university’s academic decision-making body, responsible for the university's research, development, creative, and educational activities, and for ensuring their high quality. The Senate adopts the university’s statutes, decides on the establishment, reorganization, restructuring, and closure of academic units, their sub-units, and institutions, makes key decisions related to degree studies, establishes the organization of continuing education, and sets the fundamental rules regarding academic staff, emeriti, and honorary members. The formation and activities of the Senate are defined by the Tallinn University Act and the university’s statutes.
The Senate includes, by position, the rector, vice-rectors, field directors, directors of academic units and institutions, as well as elected representatives of academic staff and students. Representatives of academic staff are elected to the Senate for three years by the university’s regular academic staff; student representatives are elected for one year by the Student Union Council. The rector approves the named composition of the Senate before the beginning of each academic year.
Composition of the Tallinn University Senate for the 2026/2027 Academic Year
Members of the Senate by position
Priit Reiska, Rector
priit.reiska@tlu.ee
Tiina Pajuste, Vice-Rector for Research
tiina.pajuste@tlu.ee
Helen Joost, Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs
helen.joost@tlu.ee
Uku Lember, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs
uku.lember@tlu.ee
Kristi Vinter, Director for Administration
kristi.vinter@tlu.ee
Reili Argus, Acting Director of Humanities School
reili.argus@tlu.ee
Ivo Lille, Director of Baltic Film, Media and Arts School
ivo.lille@tlu.ee
Indrek Saar, Acting Director of Governance, Law and Society School
indrek.saar@tlu.ee
Jaanus Terasmaa, Acting Director of Natural Sciences and Health School
jaanus.terasmaa@tlu.ee
Tiit Vapper, Director of Digital Technologies School
tiit.vapper@tlu.ee
Tiia Õun, Director of Educational Sciences School
tiia.oun@tlu.ee
Birgit Prikk, Director of Haapsalu College
birgit.prikk@tlu.ee
Andres Kollist, Director of Academic Library
andres.kollist@tlu.ee
Representatives of teaching and research staff
Kadri Aavik, Associate Professor of Gender Studies, School of Governance, Law and Society
kadri.aavik@tlu.ee
Andres Jõesaar, Associate Professor of Media Policies, Baltic Film, Media and Arts School
andres.joesaar@tlu.ee
Maarja Kaaristo, Associate Professor of Anthropology, School of Humanities
maarja.kaaristo@tlu.ee
Kairi Koort, Junior Lecturer of Systems Biology, School of Natural Sciences and Health
kairi.koort@tlu.ee
Karel Kulbin, Lecturer of Recreation Management, School of Natural Sciences and Health
karel.kulbin@tlu.ee
Julia Kuznetski, Professor of English, School of Humanities
julia.kuznetski@tlu.ee
Kristo Nurmis, Lecturer, School of Humanities
kristo.nurmis@tlu.ee
Tõnis Saarts, Associate Professor of Comparative Politics, School of Governance, Law and Society
tonis.saarts@tlu.ee
Katrin Tiidenberg, Professor of participatory culture, Baltic Film, Media and Arts School
katrin.tiidenberg@tlu.ee
Tauri Tuvikene, Professor of Urban Studies, School of Humanities
tauri.tuvikene@tlu.ee
Tiit Vaasma, Research Fellow, School of Natural Sciences and Health
tiit.vaasma@tlu.ee
Piret Viires, Distinguished Professor of Estonian Literature and Literary Theory, School of Humanities
piret.viires@tlu.ee
Meril Ümarik, Associate Professor, School of Educational Sciences
meril.umarik@tlu.ee
Representatives of students
Kiret Kivisild, School of Governance, Law and Society
kiret.kivisild@tlu.ee
Karmen Klaasen, School of Digital Technologies
karmen.klaasen@tlu.ee
Jessica Martin, School of Governance, Law and Society
jessica.martin@tlu.ee
Adrian Mõttus, School of Governance, Law and Society
adrian.mottus@tlu.ee
Elisabeth Päiv, School of Governance, Law and Society
elisabeth.paiv@tlu.ee
Jari Pärgma, School of Humanities
jari.pargma@tlu.ee
Anette Valk, School of Humanities
anette.valk@tlu.ee