Research Groups
Head: Kadri Leetmaa
Head: Katrin Tiidenberg
Members: Jaana Davidjants, Airi-Alina Allaste, Kerli Kirch, Tiina Hiob, Makiko Haragi
Junior Researchers: Rasmus Sinivee, Berit Renser, Teemu Helenius, Patience Gombe
Master’s Students: Elis Niinelaid, Leticia Pagliarini, Prudence Teder
Research Focus:
The primary focus is on understanding subjective well-being within digital well-being ecosystems. We explore what people do online and with technology to create, monitor, and maintain well-being (so-called digitally enriched self-care); how social media communities and discourses shape people’s perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors regarding well-being. Ongoing projects include investigating mental health-related content and discourses on social media; studying the experiences of influencers and content creators who produce well-being-related material; examining why and how audiences trust (or distrust) such influencers; analyzing people’s health attitudes and online communities offering alternative interpretations; and exploring the usage of well-being applications and the meaning-making surrounding them, among other topics.
Expertise:
The research group has strong expertise in qualitative and ethnographic methods, including digital ethnography; diverse analyses of social media content and discourses; visual and multimodal analysis; and creative and participatory methodologies.
Google Scholar/Website/ETIS:
Trust and Visuality in Everyday Digital Practices (TRAVIS)
Katrin Tiidenberg’s Website
The Social Health Research Group conducts research and development work in public health, focusing on mental health and well-being. The aim is to reduce illness, premature deaths, and loneliness, and to help people cope with the stress of daily life. This is achieved through creating supportive environments in communities and raising awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and self-care.
Head: Merike Sisask
Members / Doctoral Students / Junior Researchers:
Rainer Mere, Stella Täht-Vaik, Agnes Aas, Käthlin Mikiver, Olga Lupanova, Rafaela Lehtme, Ulvi Kõrgemaa, Gertha Teidla-Kunitsõn, Rasmus Sinivee, Kristina Šadeiko-Liiva
Key Collaboration Partners in Research and Development Projects:
- Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute (ERSI)
- Tallinn Health Care College
Research Focus Areas:
- Social determinants of mental health and well-being
- Community support activities and services, and everyday self-care as factors influencing mental well-being
- Digital technologies as factors affecting mental well-being
- Promotion of mental health and well-being and prevention of suicidal behavior
- Everyday living environments (social, digital, and physical environments) as shapers of mental well-being
Expertise:
- Epidemiological Research: Observational and intervention studies at both individual and community levels.
- Social Science Research: Qualitative and mixed-method study designs, including surveys, semi-structured interviews (individual, paired, family, and focus groups), participatory observation, and document analysis.
- Co-Creation Workshops.
- Content Analysis: Both quantitative and qualitative approaches, thematic analysis, and critical discourse analysis (CDA).
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
Google Scholar Profile
ETIS Profile
Head: Triin Lauri
Doctoral Student: Hede Sinisaar
Welfare Experiences Postdoctoral Researcher: Starting February 2025
Key Collaboration Partners in Current Welfare Policy Projects:
- Prof. Anu Toots (Tallinn University)
- Prof. Kaire Põder (Estonian Business School)
- Andre Veski (Estonian Business School)
- Prof. Kairit Tammets (Tallinn University)
- Katre Pall (Praxis)
Research Focus Areas:
The Welfare Policies Research Group primarily focuses on the analysis of welfare policies, broadly defined as policies that affect social risks in various ways. Of particular interest are the approaches different countries take toward designing welfare states. For example, we examine the balance between compensatory welfare policies (e.g., benefits) and investment-oriented policies (e.g., education, labor market training) and how this balance affects both objective and subjective well-being. Our work centers on the design of welfare policies, their impacts, and the processes behind their development. A key aspect involves understanding how existing policies perpetuate themselves through feedback loops of winners, losers, and associated interests and value beliefs. We also explore how such feedback effects influence trust in and support for the welfare state. Additionally, we investigate the implementation phase of policies, examining whether and how policy design evolves during execution and the role of implementers (so-called street-level bureaucracy).
Current Key Projects:
- Writing a Higher Education Textbook on Welfare State Theories and Policies in Estonian (EKI, 2024–2026)
- Collaboration on the Welfare Experiences Project (ERC CoG, 2023–2028): Focuses on analyzing the experiences of welfare benefit recipients, how various policies shape these experiences, and their impacts.
- Collaboration on the EffecTive Project (Horizon, 2023–2026): Investigates the impact of teachers’ digital professionalism, focusing on opportunities and risks related to educational inequality.
- Collaboration with EBS on the PJKOHAD Project (HTM, 2024–2025): Develops solutions for organizing post-basic school choices in Estonia.
- BRIDGE Project Launch in 2025 (Horizon, 2025–2028): In collaboration with EBS and KU Leuven, analyzes students’ educational choices and support mechanisms across European education systems.
Expertise:
We employ tools enabling both system-level comparisons (e.g., configurational and set-theoretic analysis), which are particularly useful for uncovering and explaining policy interactions, and techniques for evaluating policy impacts at the individual level. Our approach combines variable-centered and case-centered methods, integrates quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and emphasizes co-creation, longitudinal studies, and survey experiments alongside qualitative interviews.
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: Vladimir Tomberg
Junior Researchers: Farhat-al-Uin, Aishah Shah, Gulagha Gozalov
Research Focus Areas:
- Interaction design for health
- Human-centered design
- Digital health interventions
- Behavior change design
- Machine learning
- User modeling
Expertise:
- Interaction design methodologies
- Interaction design models and tools
- User research
- Software requirements gathering
- Prototyping
- Wearable solutions design for health and well-being
- Digital accessibility
- Software development
- Machine learning algorithms
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: Taavi Tillmann
Members: Anneli Uusküla, Raivo Kolde, Ruth Kalda
Junior Researchers: Nikita Umov, Laura Lõo
Master’s Students: Stella Lelov, Helen Reimand
Research Focus Areas:
The group identifies high-risk populations prone to illness or unhealthy behaviors using population databases (health information systems, e-governance). We develop and test new services and programs aimed at delaying diseases or risky behaviors, particularly automated and personalized digital services. Our research explores questions such as:
- How frequently should reminders be sent to individuals?
- What communication methods are most effective for encouraging behavior change?
- How to balance fear-inducing and calming messages to motivate action effectively?
We evaluate the impact of these services, implement them, and design interventions to increase their adoption. Our ultimate vision is a future where automated, personalized, and preventive digital health services become a seamless part of everyday life.
Expertise:
- Epidemiology
- Cohort studies
- Registry data analysis
- Development, adaptation, and validation of risk calculators
- Design and development of preventive services
- Impact assessments, including randomized trials, especially in digital settings
- Public health expertise and policy recommendations
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: Kairi Kreegipuu
Members: Aire Raidvee, Jüri Allik, Kairi Kreegipuu, Maarika Traat, Nele Põldver, Talis Bachmann, Pärtel Lippus, Siqi Lyu
Junior Researchers: Mai Liis Liiser, Annegrete Palu, Liis Kask, Liis Themas, Liina Juuse
Master’s Students: Ruth Vare, Anna Dadatskaja, Sofia Lutter, Janeli Kirsi, Marta Mändla, Aneth Pokk
Specialists: Aire Leppik
Research Focus Areas:
The group investigates the cognitive processes behind human behavior, emotions, and decision-making, as well as the underlying brain mechanisms. We design experiments to objectively measure individual behavioral performance and understand the brain-level mechanisms behind it. Our specialty lies in modeling cognitive processes and exploring how information processing is linked to various individual states, including fatigue and emotions. We have also studied the effects of hot environments on cognition.
In addition to classical indicators like reaction time and discrimination ability, we study the brain’s bioelectrical activity, such as mismatch negativity (MMN). MMN provides an objective measure of pre-attentive information processing and discrimination ability in the brain. It reflects the brain’s state and potential, making it a strong candidate as an objective indicator of subjective well-being or an early marker of its decline.
Expertise:
- Measurement of cognitive processes in normal and special conditions, both in the lab and in the field
- Linking cognitive processes to states such as physical or mental fatigue and emotions
- Development, reliability, and validity testing of cognitive process measurement methods
- Computational, psychological, and experimental expertise to investigate the impact of the environment and individual characteristics on performance and well-being
- High-validity, reliable objective assessments of brain activity during information processing
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
Attention, Brain, and Cognition Research Group
Head: Andero Uusberg
Members: Helen Uusberg, Martin Kolnes, Aave Hannus, Silja-Riin Voolma, Andero Uusberg
Junior Researchers: Richard Naar, Alan Voodla, Heidi Reinson, Sille-Liis Männik, Maria Krajuškina, Kaijo Rüütsalu, Eike Siilbek, Siim Andres
Research Focus Areas:
The group studies the “hot” side of the psyche—understanding and influencing emotions and motivations. Specifically, our interests include:
- How emotions and motivations arise in the psyche, which perceives and predicts the world, and how these in turn influence cognition and predictions.
- How the psyche self-regulates its emotions and motivations, mapping mechanisms through which strategies like cognitive reframing influence emotions, stress, and motivation.
- How to effectively influence self-regulating behavior, using nudges and other interventions when necessary.
Expertise:
- Conceptualizing, measuring, and manipulating affective states, including emotions, mood, and stress
- Understanding, measuring, and manipulating emotion regulation and other states
- Designing and evaluating the impact of interventions
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: René Mõttus
Members: Liisi Ausmees, Kätlin Anni, Maris Vainre, Sam Henry, Karin Täht, Toivo Aavik
Junior Researchers: Helo Liis Soodla, Katarina Kliit, Annika Tamme
Research Focus Areas:
The group focuses on understanding human behavior and its complexity through self-reported measurements. Our main interests lie in:
- Personality processes: Exploring how typical thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns are structured, the best ways to measure them, and typical age-related differences.
- Personality traits as tools for better understanding health and well-being, obesity, sleep, sexuality, eating disorders, and mental health.
We have a strong background in quantitative analyses, which we use to develop highly accurate predictive models based on complex data.
Expertise:
- Methods including machine learning, experience sampling, causal inference using longitudinal and genetic models, and self-reported as well as peer-assessed ratings.
- Mapping individual differences, with significant expertise in understanding personality’s biological and genetic correlates, enabling the creation of reliable biological correlates.
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: Uku Vainik
Researcher: Kadri Arumäe
Junior Researchers: Karolina Anja, Kerli Ilves, Kari Kuulmann, Birgit Malken
Specialist: Darina-Eisal Konova
Research Focus Areas:
We investigate how human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are linked to health outcomes, with a primary focus on eating behavior and obesity, as well as other health-related behaviors. We measure individual traits using personality tests and cognitive assessments. To identify causal effects, we leverage genetic and longitudinal data. In collaboration with René Mõttus, we have collected behavioral data on 77,000 individuals at the Estonian Biobank, representing 7% of the adult population in Estonia.
Expertise:
- Measurement of personality traits and cognitive abilities
- Assessment and understanding of eating behavior
- Machine learning and causal analysis
- Genetic data analysis and its application for understanding behavior
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
Head: Kirsti Akkermann
Junior Researchers: Kärol Soidla, Helo-Liis Soodla, Kadi Reintam, Liis Jõhvik
Research Focus Areas:
The treatment of mental health issues is closely linked to how psychopathology is diagnosed and conceptualized. Our group investigates dimensional approaches that complement traditional categorical models, aiming to identify traits that converge into pathological profiles within populations. These efforts aim to develop more accurate and effective assessment tools and treatment interventions.
We focus on the interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors in the development and persistence of psychopathology. Specifically, we study the role of personality traits and emotion regulation difficulties in the emergence and trajectory of symptoms related to eating, dietary, and affective disorders. Our methods combine experimental designs and longitudinal approaches to explore developmental trajectories.
Expertise:
- Understanding and measuring mental disorders and related conditions
- Assessing disordered eating and dietary behaviors and developing tools to measure maintaining mechanisms
- Designing, implementing, and evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: Kelli Lehto
Members: Kadri Kõiv, Tuuli Sedman, Katri Pärna
Junior Researchers: Hanna Maria Kariis, Siim Kurvits, Triinu Ojalo, Triinu Varvas
Research Focus Areas:
Our research group investigates the causes and consequences of mental health issues and well-being while advancing personalized medicine in psychiatry. We utilize data from large biobanks, particularly the Estonian Biobank (N=212,000). In 2021, we conducted Estonia’s largest mental health and well-being survey, collecting detailed data on psychiatric symptoms and risk and protective factors from over 86,000 participants (about 10% of Estonia’s population).
Our research integrates various large datasets, including survey data, longitudinal electronic health records, genomic data, and metabolomic data. We apply diverse genetic epidemiology methods, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), polygenic scores, genetic correlations, and Mendelian randomization. Additionally, we collaborate with other large biobanks worldwide through direct access and international consortia, such as the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, PAN-Health, PsycheMERGE, CoMorMent, COVIDMENT, and TIMESPAN.
Expertise:
- Mental health research: longitudinal studies, screening questionnaires, registry-based studies, and biobank analyses
- Behavioral and psychiatric genetics, genomic studies, metabolomics
- Research on the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders and physical illnesses
- Genetic epidemiology
- Gene-environment interactions, stress, and societal shocks
- Big data analysis
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
- ETIS Profile
- Research Group Overview
- Estonian Biobank Mental Health and Well-Being Survey:
Head: Ivo Fridolin
Members: Jürgen Arund, Jana Holmar, Merike Luman, Kristjan Pilt, Risto Tanner, Nils Fredrik Arne Uhlin, Moonika Viigimäe, Kai Lauri, Sigrid Kalle, Deniss Karai
Junior Researchers: Annika Adoberg, Kristina Kööts, Liisi Leis, Joosep Paats
Research Focus Areas:
The group’s primary goal is to develop flexible and innovative sensor technologies and algorithms for biomedical engineering applications. Key areas of focus include:
- Optical methods and technologies for early diagnosis of atherosclerosis and development of digital decision-support and communication tools for personalized cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment.
- Smart wearable multi-sensor systems to collect valuable data on workers’ location, movement, physical activity, energy expenditure, and physiological condition.
- Optical sensor technology for assessing dialysis quality and ensuring high-quality care for patients with end-stage renal disease.
- Innovative psychophysiological methods combining quantitative physiological and subjective psychological indicators to evaluate emotional responses to various (life) environments (e.g., safe, comfortable, stressful, overstimulating, or unattractive).
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
TalTech Health Technologies Institute – Biomedical Engineering Center
Head: Peeter Ross
Members: Madis Tiik, Katrin Gross-Paju, Riina Hallik, Barbara Haage, Kerli Linna, Hany Mina, Kadi Lubi, Carmen Mäe, Kerli Norak, Hedvig Soone, Liis Hamburg, Maarja Kuslapuu, Mall Maasik, Kerli Luts, Tanel Ross, Helen Staak, Doris Kaljuste, Anna Dudkina, Janek Metsallik
Junior Researchers: Priit Kruus, Igor Bossenko, Kristian Kankainen, Marten Kask, Toomas Klementi, Olga Vovk, Markus Bertl, Riin Ehin
Research Focus Areas:
- Development and investigation of multiparametric monitoring systems
- Development and study of e-health services and applications
- Development of digital decision-support tools and their clinical application
Expertise:
- Supporting the development of IT solutions for healthcare digitalization and investigating the required interoperability factors (strategies, standards, IT architecture, data sets, databases) for implementing digital health solutions.
- Assessing digital health technologies and developing the necessary framework for their implementation.
- Testing and developing solutions related to personalized medicine.
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: Maie Bachmann
Members: Hiie Hinrikus, Jaanus Lass, Laura Päeske
Junior Researchers: Tuuli Uudeberg, Toomas Põld
Research Focus Areas:
The lab focuses on detecting and interpreting changes in brain electroencephalographic (EEG) signals caused by mental disorders, occupational stress, or environmental factors (e.g., microwave radiation). The EEG Spectral Asymmetry Index (SASI), developed by the group, has proven to be a promising method in various applications.
Expertise:
The group possesses interdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of information technology and brain physiology. They specialize in EEG signal analysis to identify features related to mental disorders, workplace environments, and environmental stressors. Advanced signal processing methods and knowledge of neuronal activity underpin their research.
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: Vitali Sõritski
Members: Akinrinade George Ayankajo, Anna Kidakova, Roman Boroznjak, Jekaterina Reut
Junior Researchers: Vu Bao Chau Nyen
Research Focus Areas:
The lab focuses on the detection of health-related chemical biomarkers. With extensive experience in developing biomimetic polymer receptors for sensitive materials, the group aims to offer solutions that significantly impact critical aspects of human life, such as environmental protection and medical diagnostics.
Using molecular imprinting technology, the team designs and synthesizes polymer materials known as molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). These MIPs are integrated into various sensors to create cost-effective analytical tools capable of reliably and rapidly detecting clinically significant biomarkers and environmental pollutants.
The group has successfully developed MIP-based sensors that can detect:
- Low molecular weight environmental pollutants, including various antibiotics
- Clinically significant biomarkers, such as neurotrophic factors and viral proteins
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
ETIS Profile
Head: Pirko Tõugu
Members: Eve Kikas, Tiia Tulviste, Anni Tamm, Kati Aus, Grete Arro, Elina Malleus-Kotsegarov
Junior Researchers: Ada Urm, Valeri Murnikov, Eliis Härma, Remy Suurna
Research Focus Areas:
- Tartu Subgroup: Focuses on how knowledge acquisition and language development occur in everyday contexts and how these can be supported by identifying contextual factors (socio-economic variables, values, behaviors, etc.) and social interactions that influence these processes. By identifying these factors and explaining the mechanisms, the group aims to provide parents and child development specialists with up-to-date information to enhance children’s development and improve well-being.
- Tallinn Subgroup: Focuses on the school context and the development of children’s competencies within the education system. The group investigates contextual factors (e.g., teacher, parent, and school environment characteristics) and child-related factors (e.g., skills, motivation, beliefs) that hinder or facilitate children’s development in the evolving education system. This knowledge is used to improve teacher training and support children’s educational outcomes and well-being in Estonia.
Expertise:
Group members specialize in topics related to general competencies, speech, knowledge development, and learning. They possess diverse expertise in conducting studies with children in various settings (e.g., schools and homes), including observational studies, longitudinal studies, and individual-centered methods.
Google Scholar / Website / ETIS:
Head: Karin Streimann
Team Members at TAI: Triin Vilms, Hedvig Sultson, Eike Siilbek, Helena Heidemann, Johanna Martsoo, Epp Kerge
Development and Research Activities:
- Assessing the evidence base for prevention activities and supporting evidence- and data-driven decision-making in prevention.
- Establishing a unified understanding of prevention through the implementation of the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) training for policymakers and decision-makers, including measuring its fidelity, short-term benefits, and long-term impacts.
- Implementing cross-sectoral prevention action plans and guiding the organization of prevention efforts.
- Analyzing Estonia’s prevention system to identify key focus areas, testing solutions to address challenges, and evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of implemented activities.
- Adapting and developing measurement tools to better understand child well-being and related factors.
- Developing and testing prevention initiatives, including the Communities That Care (CTC) prevention system and its feasibility in Estonia.
Expertise:
The interdisciplinary team combines expertise from psychology, behavioral sciences, prevention science, social sciences, and education. This supports the integration of development activities with scientific research. The group employs co-creation methods, leadership, counseling, and development skills to bridge gaps between science, practice, and decision-making.
Key methods include:
- Mixed-method approaches to understand implementation processes, feasibility, and effectiveness of prevention activities.
- Validity and reliability testing of measurement tools.
- Cross-sectional studies and qualitative methods to understand the needs of institutions, communities, or regions.
Focus Areas: Evidence-based prevention, systemic change in prevention strategies, and fostering supportive communities to promote well-being.
