Tõnu Viik

Rector 
Distinguished Professor of Philosophy

CURRICULUM VITAE

Born on July 12, 1968 in Jõhvi, Estonia.

Education

1998–2003    Emory University, Atlanta  PhD (2003)
2001–2002    Humboldt Universität Berlin (Emory scholar)
2000–2001    Philipps Universität Marburg (Emory scholar)
1997–1998    University of Helsinki (SIMO scholar)
1986–1993    Moscow State University (diploma studies 5 years) Diploma (1993)
1978–1986    Nõmme Gymnasium
1975–1978    Jõhvi Gymnasium

Career

2021 -            Tallinn University Rector
2020–...         Tallinn University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy
2015–2020    Tallinn University School of Humanities Director
2014–2015    Tallinn University Estonian Institute of Humanities Director
2007–2015    Tallinn University Estonian Institute of Humanities Professor of Philosophy
2004–2007    Estonian Institute of Humanities Rector 
2003–2004    Estonian Institute of Humanities Professor of Philosophy 
2002–2003    Lecturer – Emory University (Atlanta)  
1999–2000    Study Assistent – Emory University (Atlanta)
1994–1998    Lecturer at the Estonian Institute of Humanities 
1993–1994    Lecturer at the Tallinn University of Technology 

Main research and teaching areas  

My academic work has been focusing on the following fields: philosophy of culture and cultural theory, phenomenology, history of philosophy (primarily Plato, Aristoteles, Aquino Thomas, Kant, Hegel, Husserl, Heidegger, Foucault), culture-dependent meaning formation, collective emotions, happiness, love and self-deception.

The list of research articles, titles of supervised theses and courses I have taught, and other relevant matter can be found in the Estonian Research Information System ETIS. 

Public engagement and social activity

I have published opinion articles and essays on topics of my research, book reviews, forewords and epilogues, textbooks and study materials. I have also spoken in public debates and discussions, many of these concern higher education and the role of university in the society.  I participated in the creation process of Tallinn University in 2005. I was one of the signatories to Charter 12 and participants in the Ice Cellar Initiative, and one of the authors of the initiative A Viable State (Elamisväärne Riik).