New programme provides in-depth knowledge of disinformation issues

After graduating from the Pärnu Sütevaka High School of Humanities, Jorgen Matsi came to Tartu, where he has stayed to this day. He received his first higher education in 2003–2009 with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology at the University of Tartu. Last spring, Jorgen noticed information about the one-year English-language programme Disinformation and Societal Resilience. “I thought I’d try to apply and see how it goes. Somewhat surprisingly, things went well for me, and now I've been studying for the last year.”

Charmed by novelty

The programme charmed Jorgen with novelty but also with internationality. He felt excited to be one of the few Estonians among international students and get to hear about their experiences. Media theories and communication aspects have always been of interest to him, particularly in connection with psychology. “I thought this programme would be a good addition to my psychology studies. In the past, I have dealt with individuals’ thinking errors and cognitive biases. It seemed to me that by studying in this programme, I could look at related topics at a societal level. I wanted to better understand the world and the people in it. At the same time, I thought that maybe with new knowledge I could somehow be useful to Estonia,” he says.

Jorgen’s interest in this field has increased significantly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After all, the ways people consume information and how aware they are of the fact that others may be trying to influence them is being studied more. “This is a grim reason to study, but I wanted to know more about misinformation. I have jokingly told my friends that my current studies are my midlife crisis education. Some go to study medicine for ten years at the age of 40, but I am too impatient for that, so I chose a one-year programme,” says Jorgen.

Important international contacts

Jorgen likes that the group is small and much of the learning takes place in the form of a seminar, learning from each other’s experiences. In his opinion, this helps to make the group more cohesive, and students can have an enjoyable time with each other. “Those who have come from abroad, for example, can enjoy student life to the fullest and make the most of it. I’m even a little jealous of them. As I juggle my studies between family, work and hobbies, I automatically switch to my regular life mode after the end of the school day. However, we have also had coffee and dinners out together,” he says.

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In Jorgen’s opinion, studying in an international group certainly has its benefits. His classmates are from regions and countries he didn’t know much about before – Serbia, Georgia and Armenia. “The latter two countries, in particular, have had special and close ties with Estonia, but I haven’t had any acquaintances from there before. I am pleased that I now know much more about these countries, and I am sure I understand their concerns and joys much better. It is also good that when people go back to their home countries, contacts remain.”

Supportive learning environment

Jorgen praises both the lecturers as well as the programme director and academic affairs specialists. In his opinion, they have all been super supportive, warm, professional and empathetic. Communication with lecturers has been a collaboration, not like the classical hierarchy between teacher and student. It positively surprised him.

On the other hand, Jorgen was amazed at how serious the content of the programme and the entire field is. The topics are emotionally difficult, but the lecturers’ humour keeps it in balance. “You can always have a lot of fun with communication lecturers Maria Murumaa-Mengel and Maia Klaassen,” Jorgen says with a smile.

He loves freedom when learning, but a set pace and structure are also important to Jorgen. That is why the programme suits him so well. Most subjects do not run throughout a semester as usual, but instead, one subject is studied for a month, then the next for a month, and so on. Learning is very intense and focused on one topic at a time. Independent or group work related to the subject is done during the week, and at the end of the week, it culminates with a presentation, for example. This kind of learning helps Jorgen stay focused and makes it easier to memorise things.

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A new direction

Jorgen thinks the Disinformation and Societal Resilience curriculum is well suited for a second master’s degree. For example, one could come to study it immediately after receiving a master’s degree in psychology or journalism and communication, but potentially, also law, international relations or government and politics. “In my opinion, the programme could also suit people who come from the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences or the Estonian Military Academy and wish to specialise. It is also a good choice for the public sector, the Government Office, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Defence employees and other experts who have already worked for some years and now take an interest in communication, information and disinformation,” Jorgen says.

Jorgen currently works as a senior personal coach at Pipedrive, a company developing sales management software, and is a lecturer in psychology at the Estonian Military Academy. In the future, he wants to participate in research projects related to the nature of disinformation or to pass on his knowledge through foundations or non-profit organisations.