General information
My activities in the Riigikogu are based on two fundamental values: local community and living environment. A strong and competent community ensures that public interests are pursued, and it is in its long-term interests that the living environment in its diversity be preserved. These two fundamental values determine local identity. Local identities together underpin our Estonian culture, its persistence and development. This in turn has an important role in security and safety. It is short-sighted to regard safety and security only within social and geopolitical dimensions, leaving out the existential issues that are linked to the relations between environment and humans.
Parliamentary group:
Committee:
Delegation:
Electoral district:
E-mail:
Phone:
+372 631 6684
Links:
Seniority in days:
1253
Date of birth:
09.10.1959
Place of birth:
Tallinn
Family:
Divorced, six children
Education:
Tallinn School No. 21 in 1978;
University of Tartu, biology 1983, Master in Natural Sciences (zoology) 1993;
Tallinn University, PhD (ecology) 2007
University of Tartu, biology 1983, Master in Natural Sciences (zoology) 1993;
Tallinn University, PhD (ecology) 2007
Career:
Tallinn Zoo: Senior Researcher 1983–1993, Research Secretary 1993–2007, Research Secretary and Head of Laboratory 2007–2016, Director 2016–2023;
University of Oxford, WILDCRU (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit), non-staff researcher 1994–2000;
Tallinn University, Associate Professor 2008–2013;
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Associate Professor 2013–2016, visiting lecturer 2017–2022, visiting professor 2023–
University of Oxford, WILDCRU (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit), non-staff researcher 1994–2000;
Tallinn University, Associate Professor 2008–2013;
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Associate Professor 2013–2016, visiting lecturer 2017–2022, visiting professor 2023–
Party affiliation:
Social Democratic Party 2023–
Membership in representative bodies:
15th Riigikogu
Awards:
Estonian Nature Conservation Badge 2018, Eerik Kumari Nature Conservation Award 2020, Gold Badge of the Estonian Nature Conservation 2020, Harju County Badge of Merit 2021, Tallinn City Council Medal 2023
Other activities:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Estonian Theriological Society, Estonian Naturalists’ Society
Hobbies:
natural and environmental philosophy, photography, reading, hiking