Topic: for society

A recently completed study on conspiracy theories, the most extensive one ever conducted in Europe, found that narratives circulating across national borders adapt to local history, cultural memory and social tensions. A book presenting the study’s findings has now been published, co-edited by Mari-Liis Madisson, Associate Professor of Semiotics at the University of Tartu.

On 31 August, Prime Minister Kristen Michal convened a government advisory board of digital safety experts, including five researchers from the University of Tartu, who advocate evidence-based solutions.

Nominations for the Estonian Science Communication Awards can be submitted to the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) until 15 September. The competition aims to recognise outstanding and active science communicators as well as innovative initiatives that promote science to wider audiences.

The professorship of resilient futures aims to bring recognised thinkers and practitioners with significant societal influence to the University of Tartu to reflect on the future of Estonia, democracy and the free world. The first Professor of Resilient Futures, in the 2026/2027 academic year, is General Martin Herem.

Twelve interdisciplinary doctoral positions will be created at the University of Tartu to explore potential applications of artificial intelligence, including, for example, addressing mental health issues, reducing food waste, assessing the overall impact of spatial planning, and facilitating sign language interpreting.

Data collection for the European Social Survey will begin in Estonia in June. The survey has been conducted in Estonia every two years since 2004. This time, in addition to trust, wellbeing, attitudes and values, the survey will focus more closely on people’s attitudes towards immigration..

The exhibition “The Face of a Decade” introduces the painting collection of the University of Tartu Art Museum.

In the next academic year, the professorship of liberal arts at the University of Tartu will be held by one of the most distinctive creators of audiovisual works in Estonia, the film director, stage director and screenwriter Rainer Sarnet.