Alar Konist, tenured professor and Director of the Department of Energy Technology, is an internationally active researcher whose work focuses on the valorisation of oil shale and biomass, carbon capture and utilisation, and sustainable energy systems. By decision of the Board of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Alar will assume the position of Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Oil Shale on October 22, for a five-year term.

Oil Shale is an international open access scientific journal of the Estonian Academy of Sciences published in collaboration with Tallinn University of Technology and the Geological Survey of Estonia. As a member of the journal’s editorial board, Alar has already been closely involved in its work and development to date. In his capacity as Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Alar Konist aims to enhance the journal’s international visibility, publish high-level research, and further develop the editorial and publishing processes.

Alar takes over the role of Editor-in-Chief from Professor Andres Siirde the former director of the department - who has led the journal since 2019, having previously served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief (2008–2018). We thank Professor Andres Siirde for his long-standing dedication and contributions to the development of Oil Shale, and we wish Professor Alar Konist every success in his new position!