University of Tartu launches a large-scale study on harassment, bullying and discrimination

From 20 April, all University of Tartu staff and students will receive an email invitation to participate in a study that aims to provide an overview of attitudes, knowledge and experiences related to sexual harassment, workplace bullying and discrimination at the university.

According to the head of the research group Kai Part, a gynaecologist and Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Tartu, the aim is to collect as reliable data as possible on how university members perceive and experience sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination, and how aware they are of the ways to seek help and react to cases. “The more people participate, the better we can understand the main issues, expectations and needs, and make proposals to improve the situation based on the survey results.

University members with no immediate experience of these issues are also encouraged to take part,” said Kai Part. The study is conducted by a University of Tartu research group in cooperation with the Human Resources Office and the equal treatment strategy committee. The study focuses on gender-based and sexual harassment, but also deals with experiences of workplace bullying and discrimination, characteristics that may increase the risk of harassment or unequal treatment, and awareness of ways to get help.

So far, insufficient data have been collected among staff regarding attitudes towards sexual harassment. Little is known about the factors that facilitate or hinder the identification of, intervention in, and resolution of cases of sexual harassment. It is also unclear who the main risk groups for sexual harassment are, or what impact harassment has on health, learning, and career.

“A safe and respectful learning and working environment is extremely important for the university, and the university takes harassment cases seriously. The results of the survey will help us better understand the experiences of the university community and take further steps to improve prevention, support and equal treatment, including in the organisation of human resources management,” said Kristi Kuningas, Head of the Human Resources Office at the University of Tartu.

One part of the study is a questionnaire, which can be completed in Estonian or English in the LimeSurvey environment. The invitations to the survey will be sent over the next few days. Completing the questionnaire takes approximately 10–20 minutes. In addition, focus group interviews will be conducted in autumn 2026, and participants may indicate their willingness to participate in them at the end of the questionnaire.

Participation in the study is voluntary. The responses cannot be linked to individuals, IP addresses are not collected, and email addresses are used solely for sending the invitation. The study has been coordinated with the University of Tartu research ethics committee. Based on the results, a report and recommendations for further action will be prepared.

The study is carried out by a University of Tartu research group consisting of Kai Part, Kadri Soo, Ehti Järv, Mai Beilmann, Helen Urmann, Ene Tubelt and Kristi Kuningas. The research group works in cooperation with the equal treatment strategy committee, which includes Anu Realo, Eneken Riin Salong, Ester Oras, Helen Eenmaa, Kai Part, Krista Fischer, Leho Ainsaar, Martin Noorkõiv, Raili Marling and Renar Kihho. In addition, Made Laanpere, Maria Murumaa‑Mengel and Anna Markina advise the working group on the study.