Please introduce yourself.

I'm a Professor of Technology Governance and Sustainability at TalTech and a Faculty Associate at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center. Moreover, I’m a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK. My research focuses on how to create a sustainable economy based on locally productive communities that are digitally interconnected. Alongside, I spearhead TheOtherSchool.art project, dedicated to popularizing science.

Which of your knowledge and experience come handy in your new position?

For the past 15 years, my focal point has been the interplay among technology, society, and sustainability. My endeavors transcend mere scholarly pursuits; they form a tapestry woven through advising Greek governments, consulting open-source start-ups, and activism within the P2P Foundation. Founding the P2P Lab, a TalTech spin-off, further manifests this blend of pragmatism and imagination. These diverse pursuits synthesize into a mosaic of experiences fortifying my commitment to unraveling the enigma of technology, striving for a genuinely sustainable and democratic society.

What are your goals in your tenure at TalTech?

In response to the pressing need for localized production amidst a systemic crisis, which I view as nearly existential, my focus is on engaging with TalTech colleagues and students. Together, my goal is to navigate the sustainable utilization of both high-tech and low-tech solutions. That is, to seek a balance between low-tech social-ecological sustainability and high-tech efficiency. Through this, we may explore alternative avenues in technology development, envisioning pathways that could bolster self-sufficiency and contribute to a transformative shift in our political economy.

One surprise regarding new position?

My journey at TalTech commenced in 2009 – initially as a Master's student, progressing to a PhD candidate, and from 2012 onward, as a research fellow. Given this longstanding connection, surprises are a rarity for me. Ironically, the absence of unexpected twists is, in itself, a noteworthy revelation. In the current landscape, stability emerges as a rare and cherished occurrence in one's life!