Aigi Rahi-Tamm is the new head of the Institute of History and Archaeology

On 4 November, the council of the UT Institute of History and Archaeology elected Professor of Archival Studies Aigi Rahi-Tamm as the new head of the institute. Rahi-Tamm will take up the position on 1 January 2026. For the first time, the Institute of History and Archaeology will also have two deputy heads working together with the head.

Image

Aigi Rahi-Tamm admits that she cares deeply about what is going on at the institute. She has already contributed to the institute’s life earlier, both in administrative and teaching positions. In addition to being a member of the institute and faculty councils, Rahi-Tamm has served as the Head of the Department of Archival Studies, focusing on academic development, addressing general issues, and advancing the discipline. She has also emphasised the importance of seeking a common ground between disciplines. One example is the elective module on memory institutions for students of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Her greatest concern is the current situation in master’s studies.

“As we are facing curriculum updates and changes in research and development activities, arising from the new higher education standard and other evolving needs, two deputy heads will be involved in the management of the institute. Mari Tõrv has agreed to take on the role of the deputy head for research and development, and Mihkel Mäesalu for doctoral studies,” Aigi Rahi-Tamm explained.

Aigi Rahi-Tamm graduated from the University of Tartu in history in 1990, and received her master’s degree in 1996 and doctoral degree in 2004 here. Since 1990, she has worked at the University of Tartu as a research fellow, senior research fellow, associate professor, and a member of the editorial board of Ajalooline Ajakiri. The Estonian Historical Journal. Since 2014, Aigi Rahi-Tamm has been at the head of the Department of Archival Studies, and since 2021, a Professor of Archival Studies. Her research topics include issues related to historical sources and their interpretation, deportations, repressions and forced migration, analysis of the processes accompanying the Sovietisation of society, and the Estonians’ wartime experiences in the 20th century.