Work Experience
Researcher with extensive experience in academic and applied policy research, specialising in how technological and ecological transformations reshape work, occupations and skills. Strong expertise in qualitative research (in-depth interviews and focus groups), complemented by experience in quantitative analysis and survey design. I hold a PhD in Economic and Labour Studies.
Proven track record in leading research and teaching at Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University, University of Hertfordshire, and FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, and delivering commissioned studies for ministries, the Estonian Foresight Centre, Statistics Estonia, and international think tanks. Experience working in the UN system (ILO, UNITAR) and international projects, including EU-funded research. Skilled in project management, including managing multi-stakeholder research projects and preparing funding applications for national and EU schemes.
Academic positions
Since 02.2026
University of Tartu, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
ResearcherEstonia
I research co-creation pathways for sustainable transitions in the Horizon Europe project CO-SUSTAIN. Part of my work involves facilitating multi-stakeholder deliberation processes that generate co-created solutions and governance pathways for climate adaptation, community development and citizen participation, supporting climate-resilient and sustainable urban development.
I also manage project activities within an international research consortium.
01.2025–05.2026
Tallinn University of Technology, School of Business and Governance
ResearcherTallinn, Estonia
Designed and led two qualitative research studies.
The first, on the social protection and working conditions of platform workers in Estonia, was conducted as part of the RITA-PLATV2 project Impacts and Future Directions of Platform Work in Estonia, commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. Through interviews with platform workers and stakeholder consultations, the study revealed how platform work challenges the existing social protection system, which is designed around traditional employment relationships. It resulted in a typology of platform workers and a set of policy recommendations.
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The second, on collective renovation capability in multi-owner apartment buildings, was conducted within the Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency. Through interviews with apartment association leaders and professional retrofit managers, the study revealed how renovation outcomes depend not only on technical and financial resources but also on the ability to mobilise competencies for collective action. It advanced a relational approach to energy retrofit, resulted in a new framework for understanding collective renovation capability, and contributed to policy discussions on accelerating energy renovation.
12.2022–12.2024
FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, Institute for the Transformation of the Energy System
ResearcherHeide, Germany
Researched workforce capabilities for the emerging green hydrogen economy, combining an analysis of over 1,600 job advertisements with interviews at 19 hydrogen companies in Germany and Estonia to examine how the energy transition is reshaping technical occupations.
The study showed that the transition increasingly relies on transferable skills, such as the ability to navigate complexity and uncertainty and to collaborate across disciplines in increasingly interconnected energy systems, rather than on hydrogen-specific expertise alone.
01–08.2022
Tallinn University, Institute of Humanities
Research FellowTallinn, Estonia
Researched how digital labour platforms are reshaping work and labour markets, as part of the research group Cities, Work and Digital Platforms. Engaged in interdisciplinary research and stakeholder dialogue on the implications of platform work and digital transformation.
01.2020–12.2021
Tallinn University of Technology, Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance
Postdoctoral ResearcherTallinn, Estonia
I secured a competitive Mobilitas postdoctoral fellowship and independently designed and led a research project on the transformation of work, examining how platform work is reshaping employment relationships and labour markets. I conducted an extensive qualitative study with platform workers and experts, and the project generated evidence that informed Estonia's position on the EU Platform Work Directive.
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Through extensive media engagement, public speaking and stakeholder dialogue, I helped stimulate public and policy discussions on how work is being transformed, and on the implications for organisations, labour markets and regulatory frameworks.
Based at the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, I also worked as part of the Cosmolocalism research team led by Professor Vasilis Kostakis. In addition, I co-established the research network Cities, Work and Digital Platforms, bringing together researchers, policymakers, worker representatives and platform companies to foster dialogue on the challenges that the transformation of work entails.
Designed and delivered the undergraduate course Challenges of the World of Work at TalTech.
02.2012–12.2019
University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire Business School
Research Fellow and LecturerHatfield, United Kingdom
Researched the platform economy in Europe on the Digital Footprint project and, within the Horizon 2020 programme, on Platform Labour in Urban Spaces.
Taught three tutorials in the Issues in Global Economy module.
Assistant to the Chair of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action on the Dynamics of Virtual Work (IS1202).
International organisations
08.2008–08.2011
International Labour Organization (ILO), Job Creation and Enterprise Development Department
ConsultantGeneva, Switzerland
Developed two analytical frameworks. The first was a monitoring framework for the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, identifying suitable indicators and international data sources to assess progress in employment, working conditions, industrial relations and social policy over time.
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The second operationalised the ILO's 2007 Sustainable Enterprise Agenda, a strategic framework adopted by the International Labour Conference that identified the key conditions required for sustainable enterprise development. I developed a diagnostic tool for assessing national environments conducive to sustainable enterprises, and a training toolkit to support governments and social partners. This included an indicator framework for the 17 conditions of an enabling environment, an evaluation of international data sources, the design and analysis of employer and worker surveys, and the development of databases and guidance materials. On that basis I produced nine country assessment reports across Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East, which served as a basis for policy dialogue with governments.
Drafted policy analysis for an ILO Governing Body report on the impact of the global financial crisis on small and medium enterprises and their workers, examining how policy responses could better address the needs of SMEs.
Analysed the role of entrepreneurship in employment creation, with a particular focus on policy approaches in developing economies.
01.2007–02.2008
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Research AssistantGeneva, Switzerland
Contributed to UNITAR's international training and partnership activities. Supported the launch of the International Training Centre for Local Authorities in Tallinn (CIFAL Tallinn) by developing training programmes for local authorities from the Baltic and Nordic region and CIS countries, on e-governance, sustainable urban development and HIV/AIDS prevention.
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Designed a knowledge management system and partner database to strengthen UNITAR's partnership and resource mobilisation capacity, and contributed to collaboration with the UN Global Compact and to the development of a Partnership Impact Assessment Tool.
Served as Personal Assistant to the Executive Director of UNITAR, a United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, supporting stakeholder engagement and institutional development during a period of organisational restructuring.
03–06.2006
UNESCO Headquarters, Communication and Information Sector
InternParis, France
Provided support in developing the Open Training Platform for non-formal education, and an information service platform on PC refurbishment.
08–09.2002
German Commission for UNESCO
ConsultantJohannesburg, South Africa
Presented the German Commission for UNESCO at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, including the Agenda 21-Box, a project on education for sustainable development.
Advisory roles
Since 2026
Team Gladia
Advisory board memberUnited Kingdom
Advising a UK-based international leadership advisory organisation on its strategic direction and leadership training, drawing on expertise in the transformation of work, policy analysis and organisational change.
Since 2021
Ministries of Social Affairs and of Economy and Industry
Policy adviser on platform workEstonia
Advising on the regulation of platform work. Participated in consultation rounds that helped shape the Estonian Government's position on the EU Platform Work Directive, and coordinated input from other researchers.
Contributed to discussions on Estonia's draft legislation transposing the Directive, and was invited by the Minister of Economy and Industry to participate in a select expert roundtable on its implementation in April 2026.
Selected policy-oriented research projects
2022
Ministry of Social Affairs
Organisation of Platform Workers in EstoniaEstonia
Conducted the study, commissioned by the Ministry.
2021
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
Overview of the Online Platform Landscape across the EUBelgium and Germany
Prepared the Estonian analytical contribution to the report.
2019
Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
Gathering evidence on the working conditions of platform workersBelgium
Collected data and prepared the Estonian analytical contribution to EU study VT/2018/0741.
05–12.2019
Statistics Estonia, data processing and development department
Lead methodologistEstonia
Designed the national surveys Satisfaction with Services and Living Environment, and Service Levels of Estonian Municipalities.
2018
Estonian Foresight Centre
Understanding Virtual Work: Prospects for Estonia in the Digital EconomyEstonia
Expert analysis on virtual work, commissioned by the Foresight Centre, a think tank affiliated with the Estonian Parliament.