TLU School of Educational Sciences

A Day of Celebration! 🎓 💐

Today we’re celebrating our amazing EduInno graduates! 🎉 This year, three students have completed the Master's Programme in Educational Innovation and Leadership and are ready for their next adventures.

A huge congratulations to all of you! 🚀 We can’t wait to see where your ideas, passion, and leadership take you next. Go out there and make a difference!

Thinking about shaping the future of education yourself? 📚💡

Check out our programme here👇
https://www.tlu.ee/en/hti/educational-innovation-and-leadership

🇺🇬Ugandan Education Official Explores Opportunities to Implement Estonian Educational Practices🇪🇪

🏫On June 4, James Brian Ntwatwa, president and founder of the Ugandan organization Incredible Youth International, visited Tallinn University. The purpose of the meeting was to learn about Estonia’s experiences in the fields of educational solutions, school management, and educational innovation, and to discuss possibilities for implementing them in Uganda.

🎓During the meeting, we presented Tallinn Universitys activities in the fields of teacher training, educational management, and educational innovation. We also discussed opportunities to involve Ugandan education specialists in international study programs and collaborative projects.

🌍In recent years, Tallinn University has actively developed cooperation with African partners. Ongoing projects in Ghana and Kenya support the development of teacher training, the implementation of educational reforms, and the enhancement of digital learning capabilities. Additionally, education specialists from Uganda and other African countries are participating in the university’s international Educational Innovation and Leadership micro-degree program.

👉Learn more:
📌Educational Innovation and Leadership Microdegree Programme 2026 www.tlu.ee/en/tuitions/educational-innovation-and-leadership-microdegree-programme-2026
📌Adult Education and Adult Educators in Transition www.tlu.ee/en/tuitions/adult-education-and-adult-educators-transition
📌Development Programmes for Education Leaders www.tlu.ee/en/development-programs -program-for-education-leaders-leadership-that-promotes-learning

Today, Kai Pata, Head of Tallinn University’s SustainERA project, meets with European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera to discuss Europe’s green transition and the Clean Industrial Deal. 🤝🌱

The focus is SustainERA’s OpenLab model - linking research, education, and community innovation with real-world decision-making.

Europe’s transition depends not only on technology, but on people and communities who can understand and drive change. 🌿

Through OpenLabs, citizens, businesses, schools, and public actors co-create sustainable solutions and build the skills needed for a greener future. 🌱🎓

Read more about the project👇
https://www.tlu.ee/en/taxonomy/term/2721/news/sustainera-accelerating-europes-green-transition

4 countries, one shared mission: rethinking tech in early childhood education 🌍

At the end of May, students and lecturers from Germany, Finland, Ireland and Estonia gathered at Tallinn University to explore how digital technology can be meaningfully used in kindergartens and primary schools. 💻👶

The week combined lectures, hands-on workshops, GPS art, and AR-based city exploration, along with an inspiring visit to PROTO Invention Factory. Participants also observed real learning environments at Kullatera Kindergarten and Pääsusilma Kindergarten, connecting theory with everyday practice. 😍

Programme ended with international team presentations sharing ideas on how to integrate technology thoughtfully into early education. 🌱💡

Join us for SustainERA Public Research Talk #10! 🌍

Dr Balša Lubarda (Johns Hopkins University – UPF Public Policy Center) will discuss how environmentalism can sometimes reinforce social exclusion in a talk titled “Not the Greatest Of All Time: What the Goats Teach Us About Exclusionary Environmentalisms?”

📅 9 June 2026
⏰ 13:00–14:00 EEST
💻 Online (Zoom)

The talk explores eco-scapegoating, environmental activism, and the politics of exclusion, based on new empirical research. 🌳

👉 Read more and register here: https://www.tlu.ee/en/hti/events/sustainera-public-research-talk-10

🎉 We are proud and delighted to announce that our Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence Didactics, Janika Leoste, has been appointed as one of 60 independent experts to the European Commission’s Scientific Panel under the EU AI Act.

This is both a great responsibility and a remarkable opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of AI in Europe.

💬 “I will contribute in a personal capacity, bringing perspectives shaped by Estonia’s work on AI literacy, AI Leap / TI-Hüpe, Eesti.ai, and research conducted in our universities,” said Janika Leoste.

🔗 More information: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/ai-act

The School of Educational Sciences graduation ceremonies are happening on 15 June! 🎓💐

A special shout-out to our Educational Innovation and Leadership graduates - your big day is almost here! 🎉

📍 Tallinn University Courtyard
🕓 15 June, 4:00 PM

We can't wait to celebrate with you and cheer you on as you take your next steps as innovators and leaders in education. 🚀✨

👉Read more: https://www.tlu.ee/en/graduation-ceremonies-2026

🎉 New publication in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology!

A study led by our researcher Anu Realo has just been published:

📄 Age as a moderator of gender differences in Five-Factor Model personality traits: A cross-national and cross-sectional study 👇
https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000604

The study is based on data from over 3 million participants across 68 countries and examines how age and cultural context shape gender differences in personality traits such as Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness. 🔎

Findings show that personality differences vary across the lifespan and are influenced by broader social and cultural environments.

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a 16-member group of mathematics teachers from Spain! 🌎😊

During the visit, we discussed how digital technologies and various innovative teaching methods are integrated into primary school mathematics education. Particular interest was shown in the use of robotics in lessons and how it can be connected to learning mathematics.

The day included many engaging discussions and exchanges of experience, and it provided inspiration on how to further develop active learning and digital pedagogy. 🤝