Teaching and research staff

Simon Bell, PhD
Chair Professor
CV
simon.bell@emu.ee
Phone: +372 731 3136, +372 505 6106
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A418

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Forestry, University of Bangor - Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh - PhD in Landscape change, landscape perception and the Latvian Countryside, Estonian University of Life Sciences
Areas of experience/interest: Outdoor recreation, landscape and visual impact assessment, landscape and wellbeing, technogenic landscapes
Professional experience: Forest Landscape Architect, British Forestry Commission (1983-1999) - Freelance landscape architect (1995-present) - Professor of landscape and wellbeing, Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture - President of ECLAS (European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools) (2012 - 2018)
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Outdoor recreation planning and design, Landscape visual impact assessment, Technogenic landscape I & II, Research methodology, master thesis supervision

Mart Külvik, PhD
Professor
CV
mart.kylvik@emu.ee
Phone: +372 731 3772, +372 521 8104
Kreutzwaldi 5-2C18

Qualifications: Master's Degree, University of Tartu - PhD in Ecological Networks in Estonia - Concepts and Applications, University of Tartu
Areas of experience/interest: Green infrastructure, ecological networks, valuable habitats, management of various aspects of biodiversity, ecosystem services and nature-based solutions, nature conservation effectiveness
Professional experience: Urban Ecologist at the Department of Architecture of Tartu City Government in the Ministry of the Environment - Environmental Activist at ELF and Green Movement - Administrative at Tartu City Council and Estonian Congress
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Research methodology, Urban ecology and planning, Master thesis

Kadri Maikov, PhD
Lecturer
CV
kadri.maikov@emu.ee
Phone: +372 731 3135, +372 5559 8155
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A406-C

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences - Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences - PhD in Exploring the salutogenic properties of the landscape: from garden to forest; Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences
Areas of experience/interest: Founder of the Estonian Landscape Architects’ Union - Publishing books on Healing Gardens - AutoDesk Badge
Professional experience: Member of the Landscape Architecture Union Environmental Psychology working group - NordPlus Healing greenery project coordinator, lecturer, and evaluator - Lecturer in HAMK - PhD commission expert in Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: AutoCAD 2D and 3D, Vectorworks 2D and 3D, landscape modelling, planting design, healing gardens, garden design

Joanna Tamar Storie, PhD
Senior Lecturer, Research Coordinator
CV
joannatamar.storie@emu.ee
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A416

Qualifications: BSc Pharmacology and Chemistry, Sheffield University - Post Graduate Certificate in Development Management, Open University, UK - Master’s Degree in Managing Sustainable Rural Development, University of the Highlands and Islands - PhD "When Peace and Quiet is not Enough: Examining the Challenges Communities Face in Estonian and Latvian Rural Landscapes", Estonian University of life Sciences
Areas of experience/interest: Public participation in local landscapes - Systematic mapping and reviews - Interdisciplinary research
Professional experience: Subject editor for the Journal of European Landscapes - Keynote speaker for the 3rd Open Bioeconomy Week Hämeenlinna, Finland - Guest expert for the Rethinking circularity in Bioeconomy online discussion held by Circle - Former Co-chair of the EKLIPSE Working Group: Incorporating ecosystem services in mitigation hierarchy policy - Treasurer for LDnet
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Strategic Local Planning - Bioeconomy and Nature-Based Solutions

Ghieth Alkhateeb, MSc
Junior Research Fellow
CV
ghieth.alkhateeb@emu.ee
Phone: +372 5361 8052
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A414

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Engineering, Al-Baath University - Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences
Areas of experience/interest: Post-conflict landscape, sustainable development, community engagement
Professional experience: Researcher, Aga Khan Development Network - Teaching Assistant, Hama University - Freelance Graphic Designer
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Strategic Local Planning - Bioeconomy and Nature-Based Solutions - Urban Landscape Design - Urban Landscape Design course project - Portfolio and CV preparation

Toomas Muru, MSc
Chief Specialist, Manager of the Chair
Spatial planning, landscape planning
CV
toomas.muru@emu.ee
Phone: +372 731 3139, +372 506 7931
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A412

Toomas is a landscape architect who obtained his landscape architecture education at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Wageningen University and Eesti Maaülikool. He also has a forestry education from Estonia. He worked as a private consultant at an Estonian planning company and then for the last 25 years as the landscape architecture study programme developer and teacher at Eesti Maaülikool. He has also been teaching in HÄMK and on different international courses in Estonia and abroad, he is a co-author of the Estonian guidebook for comprehensive planning, founder of Estonian Landscape Architects’ Union and member of the landscape architecture professional qualifications committee of Estonia. His professional focus is on spatial and landscape planning, landscape analysis of rural areas and forest landscape planning and design.

Friedrich Kuhlmann, Dipl.-Ing.
Chief Specialist
CV
friedrich.kuhlmann@emu.ee
Phone: +372 509 0881
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A412

Qualifications: Dipl.-Ing. Landschaftsplanung, Technical University of Berlin - PhD in Assessing the dynamic change of modernist rural landscapes, Estonian University of Life Sciences
Areas of experience/interest: Contemporary landscape theory, new energy landscapes, urban space design and social sustainability
Professional experience: Researcher and teacher at TU Berlin, Rostock University and BOKU Vienna
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Uban planning and design, contemporary landscape theory

Peeter Vassiljev, MSc
Lecturer
Spatial planning, environmental psychology
CV
peeter.vassiljev@emu.ee
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A408

Peeter Vassiljev is a lecturer in planning and landscape construction. His research interests are in the field of forest recreation, behaviour observation in green areas and environmental psychology in general. He takes great interest in computer graphics and 3D simulation and is responsible for running the Virtual Landscape Theatre. He is among the founding members of the Estonian Landscape Architecture Students' Organisation and Estonian Landscape Architects' Union. He teaches courses on spatial and landscape planning, construction and environmental psychology.

Martti Veldi, PhD
Lecturer
CV
martti.veldi@emu.ee
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A406-D

Qualifications: BA degree, University of Tartu, Department of History, Chair of Archaeology. Thesis: “Roads and Communication in South-Eastern Estonia during the Late Iron Age and the Middle Ages” (2004) - Research Master's Degree, (sup) Heiki Valk, Keskused ja kommunikatsioon Kagu-Eestis rauaajal (vara)uusaegsete kaartide tausta (Centers and Communication in South-Eastern Estonia during the Iron Age in the Context of Early Modern Era Maps), University of Tartu, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of History and Archaeology (2009) - Doctor's Degree, (sup) Jan Kolen; Hans Renes; Hannes Palang, A Landscape Biography of the „Land of Drumlins“: Vooremaa, East Estonia; Leiden University (2020)
Areas of experience/interest: landscape and settlement archaeology, GIS, historical mapping, biographical approach to landscape studies, long-term landscape change, deep mapping, digital twins.
Professional experience: Researcher at Abo Akademia, Turku - Researcher at the Modscapes project - Cartographer, Archaeologist and Inspector at the Estonian Heritage Board
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Protection and restoration philosophy of cultural heritage; Landscape Character Assessment; GIS practicals

Aljona Galazan, MSc Guest lecturer
CV
aljona.galazan@emu.ee
Phone: +372 5668 9070

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences - Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences -
Professional experience: International project management certificate PRINCE2 holder - Chairperson of the Creative Committee of the Estonian Landscape Architects' Union (ELAU, est. EMAL) - Organiser of IFLA Europe, Tallinn (2011), the Baltic Landscape Forum (2015), and the Estonian Architecture Awards in (2019 & 2020), Temporary Gardens, Tartu (2005)
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Entrepreneurship in Landscape Architecture - Placemaking I, II, & III

Gloria Niin, MSc
Teacher, Working Environment Commissioner
CV
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A406-B

Gloria teaches courses on the bachelor programme such as the General Course in Landscape Architecture, Drawing and Public Space Design. She also had a position as a landscape architect of the university focusing on providing better opportunities for different user groups and making the outdoor space more resilient. In her free time Gloria is an urban activist and she has a NGO together with her fellow landscape architects.

Jekaterina Balicka, MSc
Chief Specialist
CV
jekaterina.balicka@emu.ee
Phone: +372 5309 7125
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A406-D

Qualifications: 5 years diploma in Landscape Architecture and Planning - MSc in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences - Informal green spaces in North Tallinn
Areas of experience/interest: informal green spaces and brownfields in Baltic cities - Urban landscape analysis and presentation graphics in Landscape Architecture - Urban foraging
Professional experience: Landscape architect, PI for the GreenMan project, (d)rain for Life - Researcher BlueHealth project - Researcher. various NordPlus and Erasmus Plus project - contributor
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Advanced Presentation Graphics - Outdoor recreation planning and design - Basics of form, design and colour - Landscape and visual impact assessment

Anna Wilczyńska, PhD
Lecturer (on maternity leave)
anna.wilczynska@emu.ee

Sandra Elisabeth Saar
Chair Assistant
sandra.saar@emu.ee
Phone: +372 731 3924
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A406-A

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Planning and Landscape Design, Estonian University of Life Sciences (ongoing) - Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences (starting from Autumn)
Areas of experience/interest: Post-conflict landscape, sustainable development, community engagement
Professional experience: Board member of the ELASO (Estonian Landscape Architecture Student Organization) 2020-2023
Responsibilities at EMÜ: Managing the chair’s daily proceedings

Mana Taheri Talesh, MSc
Junior Researcher, Bachelor Programme Coordinator, Master Programme Coordinator, ERASMUS Programme Coordinator
CV
mana.taheri@emu.ee
Phone: +372 5395 7068
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A416

Qualifications: BSc Architecture, Tehran Azad University - Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences - Urban green spaces and spatial injustice: the case of Iranian women
Areas of experience/interest: Spatial justice, gender equality, inclusive design, sustainable cities and communities, urban space design and detail design
Professional experience: Architect in the private sector, freelancer, and landscape architect
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Technogenic Landscape I & II - Urban Landscape design course project - Portfolio and CV preparation - Urban Landscape Analysis - Bachelor thesis - Comprehensive Landscape Design Project

Jaana Veskimeister, BSc
Guest Lecturer
jaana.veskimeister@emu.ee
Phone: +372 5698 3956
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A406-B

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences - Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences
Areas of experience/interest: Detailed Plans
Professional experience: Planner-Project manager in company Hendrikson & Ko - owner and planner-project manager of company Ruum Raamis.
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Projecting and planning legislation

Mai-Mirjam Kuuskme, MSc
Guest Teacher
mai-mirjam.kuuskme@emu.ee
Phone: +372 5850 0586
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A406

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Planning and Landscape Design, Estonian University of Life Sciences - Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences
Areas of experience/interest: Public and private space design, dendrological assessments
Professional experience: Landscape Architect
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Green areas and urban open spaces (with Hele, Anna Maria, Mana) - Introduction to landscape architecture (with Gloria)

Ivari Kandima
Guest Teacher
ivari.kandima@emu.ee
Phone: +372 5340 7559
Kreutzwaldi 56/1 – A406-B

Areas of experience/interest: Dendrology. Gardening
Professional experience: Teacher of dendrology and herbacious decorative plants, practical maintenance of green areas and trees, inventory of woody plants
Research and teaching activities at EMÜ: Woody plants in urban greening, Landscape design with plants I and III, Green space management, Inventory of woody plants