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What was the tipping point in choosing to pursue a PhD?

This has been a long and meaningful journey. My wish to pursue doctoral studies began several years ago, after graduating from Oslo University College with a degree in International Social Welfare and Health Policy in 2009. At that time, I believed that sociology would best align with my interests - particularly research involving children and youth. I was not yet familiar with the field of social work, as no PhD program in this discipline existed in Latvia.

When I applied for doctoral studies for the first time, I was not accepted. Looking back now, I realize that it was simply not the right time. With the experience and perspective I have gained since then, I understand that each step of my professional and personal development was necessary to reach this point. I have never doubted that the Social Work PhD program at Tallinn University is the best possible choice for me.

Given that my earlier academic background is in political science, my initial goal was to continue in that direction. However, over time my focus gradually shifted toward exploring personal life experiences and understanding more deeply the interaction between individuals, social groups, and the state - including municipalities, public services, education, and social care systems.

While working in the Child Custody Court, I gained valuable insight into how policies and institutional decisions directly affect people’s everyday lives. These experiences - both professional and personal - strengthened my awareness of how theory and practice must be interconnected. This realization encouraged me to seek opportunities for further development that would combine my academic knowledge with practical field experience.

This aspiration continues to shape my motivation for doctoral studies: to conduct research that bridges social policy and social work practice, and that contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between social structures and individual well-being. I am convinced that the Social Work PhD program at Tallinn University provides the ideal environment to pursue this goal.

Why was it important to further study the topics you focused on in your thesis?

It was important for me to further study the topics I focused on in my thesis because they represent a continuous and evolving line of inquiry that has shaped my academic and professional interests over the years. The topic was not strictly predefined, but I approached it with a strong intention to explore the lives of children and youth in a more comprehensive and multidimensional way.

My earlier research had already engaged with these themes. In my bachelor’s and master’s studies, I focused on children left behind as a result of parental migration, examining how family separation affects their well-being and development. Later, I also participated in research related to youth with intellectual disabilities and their transitions to independent life. However, most of these studies were limited in scope - primarily small-scale case studies that offered valuable insights but also revealed the need for a broader, more systematic understanding of youth life transitions.

Through these experiences, I realized that young people’s lives cannot be fully understood through isolated cases alone. Their transitions - from childhood to adulthood, from school to work, or from dependence to autonomy - are deeply shaped by social, institutional, and policy contexts. Therefore, I felt it was essential to deepen my knowledge, to connect micro-level experiences with broader social structures, and to develop a more theoretically grounded and empirically supported understanding of how young people navigate these transitions.

This motivation guided me toward doctoral studies, where I aim to integrate my previous research experience with a more comprehensive and analytical approach to studying youth and their life trajectories within social policy and social work frameworks.

What strategies did you use to work on your doctoral thesis and successfully and consistently reach completion?

I must admit that I did not start with a very structured or detailed plan. My first strategy was to get to know Tallinn University - both academically and personally. Every academic environment has its own traditions, communication styles, and expectations, so it was important for me to understand the culture of this institution and find my place within it.

However, as someone who has been part of the social work community for a long time, my approach was guided by openness, collaboration, and the willingness to learn from others. I saw my main strategy as making the most of every opportunity that arose - to participate, engage, and grow.

I was genuinely motivated to study and eager to acquire new knowledge, so I immersed myself fully in the process. I accepted challenges and opportunities as they came, often without overthinking, and in hindsight, this openness proved to be a very effective strategy.

Through this approach, I gained valuable international experience. With very warm-hearted support from my Supervisor Prof. Anu Toots I actively engaged with researchers in the COST Action network, which expanded my academic horizons and professional connections. I also had the opportunity to study in Oslo as a PhD exchange student, which allowed me to experience another academic context and compare perspectives. Participation in doctoral retreats and collaboration with other students further strengthened my academic confidence and helped me to clarify my own research direction and position within the field.

Overall, my strategy combined openness, active participation, and a strong commitment to continuous learning. This mindset helped me stay motivated and consistent throughout my doctoral journey and ultimately reach completion.

Can you share a memorable or funny instance that occurred while writing your thesis?

Oh yes, I still remember this vividly. It was during my very first year, perhaps even my first semester of doctoral studies. I was encouraged to submit a research idea to the EspaNET Conference in Stockholm, which is a well-known and respected platform for researchers and young scholars in the field of European Social Policy Analysis. Somehow, to my great surprise, my paper proposal was accepted! I attended the conference together with my supervisor.

At that early stage, I was extremely nervous. My presentation was based more on a conceptual problem statement about youth poverty rather than on completed data analysis. Despite my insecurities, I presented my ideas and received valuable feedback and constructive comments. One moment I will never forget was a very polite but somewhat ironic remark during the discussion - someone mentioned that “youth is not a problem,” which was in direct contrast to how I had framed my research topic. It was a humbling but also enlightening experience that made me reflect critically on my own assumptions.

And then came the truly funny part. Because I was so nervous while preparing my slides, I accidentally placed the Tallinn University logo upside down on my presentation. When my supervisor pointed it out, I simply could not see what was wrong - I was too focused (and anxious) to notice! Ever since that day, I always double-check that the Tallinn University logo stands proudly upright on all my presentations and papers. It became both a running joke and a gentle reminder to stay calm and pay attention to the details, no matter how big the stage is.

Based on your research, what does an intelligent lifestyle mean for you?

For me, an intelligent lifestyle is not so much about knowledge or achievements, but about how a person relates to life, to others, and to themselves. It means having patience, the ability to slow down, observe, and truly listen to what others are saying, and how they see the world. It is about being open to different perspectives while maintaining your own inner clarity and values.

I see an intelligent lifestyle as a balanced way of living - one that combines reflection with practicality. It is about searching for truth not in an idealistic or abstract way, but in everyday choices and interactions. This approach, in my view, is not radical or extreme. Instead, it is grounded, respectful, and aware.

At the same time, I believe that being intelligent in one’s way of living also requires a certain persistence - or even a kind of gentle obstinacy. It means not giving up too easily, not choosing the easiest path just for comfort’s sake. Honesty and authenticity are essential parts of it: being true to yourself, to your work, and to others.

In short, an intelligent lifestyle is about balance - between thinking and feeling, between listening and acting, between openness to others and faithfulness to one’s own principles.

What is something you appreciate about your dissertation supervisors?

As I previously explained, the PhD dissertation is just one point along a longer journey - a continuation of many experiences and influences that have shaped my professional and personal growth. Therefore, I would also like to acknowledge and emphasize those who guided my path before this stage: Prof. Feliciana Rajevska, Assoc. Prof. Triin Lauri as well as Prof. Ivar Lødemel, Prof. Niels K. Rasmussen, Prof. Mathias Drilling, Researcher Tom Chevalier, the teachers, colleagues, and mentors who inspired my curiosity and encouraged me to think critically and compassionately about social issues.

What I appreciate most about my dissertation supervisors - Prof. Anu Toots, and all others who accompanied me on this journey, is the intelligence I learned from them.

By “intelligence,” I mean not only academic brilliance but also a way of being - patient, open, reflective, and deeply human. Each of them demonstrated, in their own way, that true intelligence lies in listening, in respecting different viewpoints, and in the willingness to share knowledge generously. They were not only outstanding scholars but also genuine persons - approachable, supportive, and sincerely engaged in dialogue.

From all of them, I learned that academic life is not a competition but a shared process of learning and discovery. Their example taught me that the strength of research lies in collaboration, honesty, and openness. This experience shaped my own understanding of an “intelligent lifestyle” - one built on mutual respect, curiosity, and the courage to stay true to one’s values while remaining receptive to others. I am deeply grateful for their guidance, for the knowledge they shared, and for the spirit of intellectual and personal generosity that made this journey so meaningful.