News

The updated Estonian Code of Ethics for Teachers aims to support teachers’ professional development, reflection on ethical choices, and the maintenance of a shared values-based culture in education.

One of the world’s leading international conferences dedicated to research integrity and trust in science — the World Conference on Research Integrity (WCRI) — will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2028. The successful bid was led by the Centre for Ethics at the University of Tartu, in cooperation with the professional conference organiser Publicon OÜ.

At the end of April, the Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu organised an international staff training week for employees of universities within the Enlight network. The programme focused on the development of values in education, research, and society.

The conference "Less Noise, More Dialogue! Agreements for Good Communication“, organised by the University of Tartu Centre for Ethics, the Institute of Social Studies and the think tank Praxis, brought together different stakeholders who influence public communication, including researchers, journalists, representatives of various organisations, members of civil society, schools and kindergartens.

The role of the critical friend is discussed by Kristina Mägi, Director of Kohila Kindergarten Sipsik since 2006, and Kätlin Kaljas, Director of Põlva Lõunakaare Kindergarten since 2019. Their experience shows that initial caution is soon replaced by understanding: the critical friend does not come to impose change, but rather to help create clarity and support existing work.

We wish our university community and friends a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

On 31 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to former rector, Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor Kalle Kirsimäe, and Professor Ivo Leito. The recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have also been selected.

On 16 June, the council of the University of Tartu approved the new strategic plan, which sets the direction for the university’s activities for the next ten years.

The children's book on values and philosophy „Mis on sulle kallis?“ („What do you hold dear?“), by Tiia Kõnnussaar (writing under the pen name Tia Navi) and Kadri Simm, has been selected as one of the 25 gems of Estonian children's literature featured in Estonia’s catalogue at the Bologna Children's Book Fair.

On the 30th and 31st of January 2025, the University of Tartu (Jakobi 2, Tartu) will host a two-day intensive seminar on research ethics for doctoral students from all fields. The workshop will be in English, and participants can earn 1 EAP.

As part of the main programme of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, the Tartu World University series of events organised 47 meetings that connected scientists and communities, attended by 17,966 people. Together, they sought solutions to global problems using local examples and vice versa. Communities will continue to address World University themes and organise events in the future.

The Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu has established a nationwide network to foster collaboration in artificial intelligence ethics.

On 25 October, the University of Tartu senate decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to Professor of International Business Urmas Varblane. Also, the recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have been announced.

The discussion game developed by researchers at the Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu has received a remake – the game is now available in English.

On October 3, 2024, the Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu held the conference “Trust = Survival?! - Where does trust come from, where does it go, and how to survive?”. Experts gathered to explore the multifaceted concept of trust, examining it from the perspectives of survival in crisis, community and collaboration, and the role of science in building public confidence.

The discussion game created by experts from the University of Tartu Ethics Centre has made its way to the demo area of sTARTUp Day.

On 27 October, the University of Tartu senate decided to award the Johan Skytte medal to Margit Sutrop, member of the Riigikogu and Professor of Practical Philosophy at the University of Tartu. The highest award granted to university members, the University of Tartu Grand Medal, is given to two university researchers for services of particular value. Also, the recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have been selected.

The Centre for Ethics and the Centre for Applied Social Sciences of the University of Tartu, in cooperation with Estonian Research Council, invite scientists to participate in a survey.

A three-year project that will reinforce efforts to promote adherence to the highest standards of research ethics and integrity and prevent research misconduct began in January 2023.

A comprehensive article entitled “Teachers’ perceptions of values-oriented dialogic communication in a multicultural learning environment“ published in Estonian Journal of Education.