About us (SustainERA)

Our Mission

The deteriorating state of the environment is an increasing concern. Growing interest in alternative models (e.g., degrowth, green growth, post-growth) challenges the dominant focus on economic growth and instead prioritises ecological sustainability, social justice, and well-being. However, transitioning to sustainable and non-growth futures is challenging due to the deeply ingrained belief in economic growth as a symbol of success and societal well-being.

Governmental and international strategies often emphasise technological progress (e.g., digital and green twin transitions), but these approaches may have unintended environmental consequences, complicating sustainability efforts. While many solutions centre on technological innovation, achieving genuine sustainability also requires fundamental changes in mindsets and daily habit.

This is where the social sciences and humanities play a crucial role. Disciplines such as psychology, education, behavioural studies, political science, and communication studies offer valuable insights into how people think, learn, and behave. SustainERA integrates knowledge from these fields to address sustainability challenges from multiple perspectives.

Identifying barriers to sustainable practices is essential for creating effective solutions. Factors such as lack of knowledge, a weak sense of personal responsibility, time constraints, limited resources, political attitudes, and accessibility to eco-friendly options all influence behaviour. By addressing these obstacles, SustainERA seeks to design culturally and socially appropriate incentives that drive lasting change.

Our Project Directors

Partners

Our People

Research Team

Our Project Directors
  • Anu Realo – Research Professor of Sustainable Future Studies, School of Educational Sciences
  • Kai Pata – PI of the project, Professor of Adult Education and Non-Formal Learning, School of Educational Sciences
Project Co-ordinator
Our Senior Research Team
  • Grete Arro - Research Fellow, School of Educational Sciences
  • Mari-Liis Jakobson - Associate Professor of Political Sociology, School of Governance, Law and Society
  • Leif Kalev - Professor of Political Studies, School of Governance, Law and Society
  • Katrin Männik - Visiting Research Fellow in Sustainable Education, School of Educational Sciences
  • Tarmo Pikner - Associate Professor, School of Humanities, Centre for Landscape and Culture
  • Jaanus Terasmaa - Professor of Ecohydrology, School of Natural Sciences and Health
  • Terje Väljataga - Associate Professor of New Learning Environments and Technologies, School of Educational Sciences

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee serves as the working management body for the project. It is composed of the Principal Investigator (PI), the ERA Chair Holder, and representatives from each participating school. The Steering Committee meets every six months to coordinate project activities. The Chair of the Steering Committee is Professor Kai Pata.

Members of the Steering Committee
  • Kai Pata – PI of the project, Professor of Adult Education and Non-Formal Learning, School of Educational Sciences
  • Anu Realo – Research Professor of Sustainable Future Studies, School of Educational Sciences
  • Leif Kalev - Professor of Political Studies, School of Governance, Law and Society
  • Tarmo Pikner - Associate Professor, School of Humanities, Centre for Landscape and Culture
  • Jaanus Terasmaa - Professor of Ecohydrology, School of Natural Sciences and Health

Extended Steering Committee

The role of the Extended Steering Committee is to advise, foster collaboration opportunities, and coordinate activities that support the SustainERA capacity-building efforts in teaching, doctoral schools, research, and communication and outreach initiatives planned at the University.

In addition to the members of the Steering Committee, the Extended Steering Committee includes key representatives from the Senior Management and other relevant offices and institutes at Tallinn University. The Chair of the Extended Steering Committee is Professor Kai Pata.

Additional Members of the Extended Steering Committee
  • Katrin Niglas - Professor of Data Analysis, Vice-rector of Research
  • Ursula Haava - Senior Specialist of Doctoral Studies, Research Administration Office
  • Liina Hallik - Head of Information and Marketing, School of Educational Sciences
  • Merle Pajus - Head of Research Administration, School of Educational Sciences

Advisory Board

The role of the Advisory Board includes:

  • Providing supervisory and monitoring functions.
  • Advising the ERA Chair Holder and the Steering Committee during the team hiring stage, particularly in the project's first year.
  • Participating in discussions during the three project evaluation stages (after Year 1, Year 3, and Year 5) to review evaluation results, suggest mitigation measures, and advise on sustainability plans.
  • Offering expertise as needed, including facilitating access to researchers and networks, collaborating on new research initiatives, and participating in dissemination events such as roundtables, workshops, and the final conference.

The Advisory Board is composed of the ERA Chair Holder, the Principal Investigator (PI), and external members. The Chair of the Advisory Board is Professor Anu Realo.

External Members of the Advisory Board:
  • Sanna Ahvenharju - Senior Research Fellow, Finland Futures Research Centre, University of Turku (Finland)
  • Karsten Krüger - Project manager for the Horizon Europe project DEMOCRAT on Education for Democracy, University of Barcelona (Spain)
  • Anna-Greta Tsahkna - Chief Executive Officer, Timbeter (Estonia)
  • Andero Uusberg - Professor of Affective Psychology, Head of the Estonian Center of Excellence of Well-being Sciences, University of Tartu (Estonia)
  • Mikk Vainik - Head of Development, The Green Tiger Foundation (Estonia)

We’re hiring!

We are seeking to recruit four exceptional and motivated PhD candidates and three equally talented and driven Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join the SustainERA project!

Successful PhD candidates will be hired as Junior Research Fellows for a four-year study period, commencing 1st September 2025.
One Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available from 1st September 2025, and two positions will commence on 1st January 2025, each on a two-year fixed-term contract.

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