Research in Study Areas

The academic programme sees politics and governing as working in synergy and being influenced by the international, economic, and social background systems. This integrative approach has shaped a comprehensive method of teaching Political Science and a comprehensive concept of research and development.

Currently we are the leading partner in the H2020 Twinning project MIRNet (PI Prof. Raivo Vetik). We are implementing the PUT postdoctoral grant (Associate Prof. Triin Lauri), as well as performing a number of agreement-based commissions (under Prof Erik Terk, Lecturer Sulev Lääne et al.). We contribute to the work of the Doctoral School in Economics and Innovation. Within this framework, we organise writing camps and courses in methodology, as well as finance the academic mobility of doctorate students and their supervisors.

We are active members of several international scientific associations, such as ECPR, EGPA, and NISPAcee. Our research activities are internationally evaluated. The area of study focuses on Political Science and Governing. In these fields of study, we conduct base and applied research, development projects, counselling, analytics, and courses.

We have performed studies commissioned by the Republic of Estonia Government Office, the Riigikogu, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and Ministry of the Environment, as well as local governments and NGOs.

We coordinate publication of the online science journal Acta Politica Estica (issued in Estonian). In cooperation with the Institute of International and Social Studies, we publish the internationally acknowledged interdisciplinary science journal Studies of Transition States and Societies (in English).

Contact:

Head of Political Science professor Raivo Vetik

Research and development projects

T

eaching and research in the field of sociology combines the traditions of sociology studies started in 1988 at the Tallinn Pedagogical University under the leadership of Prof. Jüri Kruusvall and in parallel at the Estonian Institute of Humanities under Prof. Mikko Lagerspetz on the one hand and the long experience of social science research at the Estonian Academy of Sciences on the other. 

Today’s activities in the academic field of sociology focus on the further development of the existing research traditions in various fields of sociology. The current leader Prof. Ellu Saar has won the Estonian Research Prize (2014 and 1987) and the Young Scientist Prize (1983) for her successful research activities.

The sociology students of Tallinn University have been successful in student work competitions and many of them have continued their academic journey. With regard to the graduate studies, active cooperation is established with the University of Tartu and the Institute for Health Development within the framework of the Doctoral School of Behavioural, Social and Health Sciences, through which the courses of various visiting lecturers reach doctoral students.

The range of research topics for lecturers, students and postgraduate students is wide:

• Classical sociological topics are represented by education and youth research, labour market and job change, social stratification, mobility and family research.
• Our researchers are working on matters related to gender studies, subcultures, civil society and housing strategies.
• From the viewpoint of Estonia as a post-socialist society, the sociologists of Tallinn University focus on research issues related to policies of institutions and the welfare state, the development of legal perceptions, and the impact of multiculturalism and inequality on social cohesion. 

This diversity provides a good opportunity for an interdisciplinary approach to each research question, which is often used in research projects. The sectoral expertise involved in the research is focused on international and comparative research, which allows achieving results that meet the needs of Estonia and takes into account the comparative context. The R&D activities in the field are closely connected with the largest sociological research centre in Estonia, the Centre for International Social Studies, which became an independent unit of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences already in 1988. The focus of the cooperation is on the development of the life paths of different generations and social groups, taking into account the institutional and social context and the path dependence of the development of societies. The cooperation of the Centre of Excellence focuses on different stages of life (youth, middle age, old age) as well as areas of life (family life, studies, work, etc.).

Several sociologists of Tallinn University are members of the Estonian Association of Sociologists and regular Annual Conferences of Estonian Social Sciences are organised alternately with the University of Tartu.

Our sociologists are also active in the work of international professional organisations: 

• ESA – the European Sociological Association - https://www.europeansociology.org/
• ECSR – the European Consortium of Sociological Research - http://www.ecsrnet.eu 
• TIY – Transition in Youth - http://www.socsci.ru.nl/maartenw/tiy/ 
• ISA – the International Sociological Association –  https://www.isa-sociology.org/en, particularly its Research Committee 28: Social Stratification and Mobility – https://sites.google.com/site/rc28hp/ 

In cooperation with the Centre of Excellence and the political science study field, the peer-reviewed journal Studies of Transition States and Societies is published. 

Contact: 

Head of Sociology professor Eve-Liis Roosmaa

Research and development projects

The academic field of law is focused on national, international, European and human rights research. The improvement of development and research is based on an assumption that legal education plays a decisive role in national legal policy, as legal education prepares specialists both for the application of applicable law and for perceiving and changing the legal space based on social needs. The academic field results from the requirements of science-based teaching, which requires participation in the development of practical legal policy and in international research networks. Led by the field of law, we publish the scientific journal East-West Studies (ETIS 1.2). 

Contact: 

Head of Law professor Madis Ernits

Research and development projects

International Relations and Future Studies research topic offers the students and lecturers a possibility to study different interconnected global processes that shape our world today. It supports critical thinking, urging the students to analyze the relations between different issues in the world and the processes and relations influencing them. Moving forward from the traditional state-based model of international relations, the programme examines transnational processes that interact with the local context through people, goods, and information flows. The programme supports in-depth research and learning that deal with different topics, like international relations, as well as economic, social, and security aspects of global processes. Particular attention is paid to the interactions that global processes have with local policies and contexts.

Contact: 

Head of International Relations professor Benjamin Klasche

Research and development projects

Social Protection research and development activities focus on fostering professionalisation in social work; community-based social work; child and family well-being; social pedagogy; gerontology, public health and well-being; social policy: social protection and social investments; demographic development and population; social entrepreneurship and innovation of social services.  A wide range of Research and development topics allows for research and projects that reinforce developments and practices in the field of social work that support the well-being of vulnerable individuals and communities. 

Currently main research and development focus is on the themes related to the following projects:

• CoSIE „Co-creation of Service Innovations in Europe“ (H2020, Principal investigator Professor Zsolt Bugarszki) https://www.etis.ee/Portal/Projects/Display/0146412a-07af-46bf-b885-e7c22f2512f3?lang=ENG 
• YOUNG-IN ”Transdisciplinary solutions to cross sectoral disadvantage in youth” (COST Principal investigator:  Professor Anu Toots)

https://www.etis.ee/Portal/Projects/Display/5596cae2-4bc6-4c09-8e47-2a0ce9a6b84d?lang=ENG 

• DigiGen „The impact of technological transformations on the digital generation“ (H2020, Principal investigator:  Professor Merike Sisask)  https://www.etis.ee/Portal/Projects/Display/0f9c875b-22fa-492c-b79d-32836fa0858a?lang=ENG 
• PUT „Effective participatory discourse: Experiences of participants' engagement in the context of child protection assessment practices“ (Estonian Research Council (PUT stardigrant), Principal investigator:  Professor Karmen Toros). https://www.etis.ee/Portal/Projects/Display/caa6934c-649d-4823-a772-2f5c789da3a1?lang=ENG 

We are also members of the following international professional organizations:

• IASSW  (International Association of Schools of Social Work)
• EASSW (European Association of Schools of Social Work)

Information introducing the activities of the Children and Family Research Group is available HERE. https://www.tlu.ee/en/yti/children-and-family-research-group  

Contact: 

Head of Social Work professor Ingrid Sindi

Research and development projects

The Estonian Institute for Population Studies focuses on analyzing and interpreting long-term population processes within the context of Estonian society. The Institute’s research covers fertility behavior, family formation patterns, intergenerational relationships, population aging, mortality, and population health, as well as the demographic behavior of the migrant-origin population. A key pillar of our work involves the development of research databases, alongside methodological contributions to population censuses and population registers. The ultimate goal of our research is to provide an evidence-based foundation for ensuring the sustainability of the Estonian population and adapting to broader societal changes.

Our research and development activities are geared towards conducting internationally competitive studies, with the Institute making significant contributions to both national and international research programs (e.g., SHARE, GGP/FFS, EDSD). The Institute is an active member of leading professional organizations such as IUSSP, EAPS, and Population Europe, maintaining close collaboration with public sector partners and other research institutions.

Contact:

Head of Centre professor Lauri Leppik

Research and development projects

The Institute of International Social Studies (IISS) is an interdisciplinary research and development centre that conducts high-level research on the multifaceted nature of social inequality and stratification. The Institute investigates how factors such as gender, ethnicity, age, generation, education, and professional status shape individual life courses and societal structures. 

The Institute’s research scope has expanded significantly in recent years, with a strong focus on the role of lifelong learning in ensuring social cohesion across the European Union, as well as the challenges and opportunities of active ageing. Researchers at IISS are active experts in analyzing and shaping societal development, participating in numerous national and international research projects.

Contact: 

Head of Institute of International Social Studies professor Kadri Täht

Research and development projects

The Growing Up in Digital Europe Preparatory Phase