The Center of Excellence for Strategic Sustainability (CESS) is a research group with the University of Tartu Institute of Social Sciences whose research is focused on the topics of the sustainability of human resources, social institutions, and military sociology. The Center of Excellence for Strategic Sustainability was established in January 2014 in cooperation between the University of Tartu Institute of Social Studies and the National Institute for Health Development in order to meet the Ministry of Defence's need to improve its expertise and knowledge with regard to human resources in the field of defence.
Expertise was combined and created along three main axes: monitoring and forecasting demographic and social changes; health and physical capability; and morale and preparedness. Over the years, the UT research group has carried out several collaborations and projects, thus enabling the Ministry of Defence, Defence Forces, Defence League and Defence Resources Agency to enhance and adjust their actions in regard to human resources based on the information which was gathered and analysed.
Members of the research group are actively involved in international specialty networks: the NATO research and development working groups, ERGOMAS (European Research Group on Military and Society) and ISA (International Sociological Association) research networks. The research group more broadly contributes to knowledge transfer through supervising bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral theses in the field of defence.
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Kristjan Silm, magistrikraad, 2021, Kairi Kasearu (juhendaja). Tegevteenijate narratiivid kaitseväeteenistusse astumisest.
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Taavi Laanepere, doktorikraad, 2021, Kairi Kasearu (juhendaja). Looking at the Military Service Readiness of Estonian Reserve Soldiers through the Prism of Bourdieu's Theory of Practice.
Tiia-Triin Truusa, doktorikraad, 2022, Kairi Kasearu, Avo Trumm, Judit Strömpl (juhendajad). The entangled gap: the male Estonian citizen and the interconnections between civilian and military spheres in society.