The best supervisor of a first-cycle thesis, Piret Mellik, Visiting Lecturer at the Institute of Materials and Environmental Technology, motivates students to work independently and thoroughly, to engage deeply with their topic, and to achieve high-quality results. She supports students at every step with her professional expertise, guides them towards sound decisions, and at the same time maintains an impartial approach, enabling students to develop as independent authors of their thesis.

In second-cycle studies, Associate Professor Laivi Laidroo of the Institute of Economic Analysis and Finance stands out for her enthusiasm, thoroughness and genuine dedication at every stage of the process. She is able to support and guide students in a way that enables even goal-oriented learners to discover new perspectives and develop their topics in a more substantial and effective manner. Laidroo’s strong methodological thinking and readiness to experiment alongside her students create an inspiring and developmental collaborative environment, enriched by the involvement of expert colleagues and fresh ideas.

Also recognised as the best supervisor in second-cycle studies, Senior Lecturer Erik Väli of the Institute of Geology is a supervisor whose dedication, professionalism and supportive attitude make collaboration exceptionally valuable. He is able to explain complex technical topics clearly and comprehensibly and guides students to approach problems independently while maintaining a scientific perspective. His feedback is thorough, constructive and motivating, and even ahead of demanding deadlines, Väli is ready to provide comprehensive support.

The best doctoral supervisor of 2025 at Tallinn University of Technology is Professor in Tenure Targo Kalamees from the Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture. He is the principal supervisor of the doctoral programme “Civil Engineering and Architecture” in the School of Engineering. Over the past ten years, he has successfully supervised 12 doctoral candidates, with ten currently under supervision. The results are outstanding: 92% of doctoral candidates have reached the defence stage (10 defended under his principal supervision, 1 discontinued; 3 defended under his co-supervision).

Professor Kalamees is always accessible and supportive, creating excellent opportunities for doctoral candidates’ research and professional development. He finds time for meetings, video calls and in-depth discussions in his office, in the field and in the laboratory. He frequently provides very thorough and high-quality feedback and plans meetings well in advance when necessary. He consistently introduces various career opportunities and supports the development of his students’ academic careers, including through joint project applications.

Professor Targo Kalamees, who ranks among the world’s leading building physics researchers, is an exceptionally inspiring scientist and supervisor. His research topics – building durability, climate resilience, energy efficiency and overall performance – are of critical importance to society.