Ene-Margit Tiit received the Tiiu Sild lifetime achievement award

On 12 November, the Estonian Research Council recognised outstanding science communicators at its annual science communication conference. The Tiiu Sild memorial lifetime achievement award for long-standing and systematic popularisation of science and technology was granted to Ene-Margit Tiit, Professor emerita of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, a founder of the discipline of mathematical statistics in Estonia, and long-time advocate for science and statistical literacy.

Ene-Margit has been bridging science and society for decades, bringing statistical and demographic topics to the wider public in a clear and accessible way. According to Associate Professors Dagmar Kutsar and Mare Ainsaar from the University of Tartu Institute of Social Studies, Ene-Margit Tiit has addressed politically sensitive issues. “For example, she has discussed the economic cost of raising a child in Estonian society, thereby stimulating broader public debate on economic coping, and nudging policymakers to seek new solutions,” said Kutsar and Ainsaar. They noted that Tiit’s population reviews are, rather than merely statistical time series, unique ethnographic interpretations of the development of the Estonian people and the importance of preserving national identity.

From statistics to family research

The Department of Mathematical Statistics, established on Ene-Margit Tiit’s initiative at the University of Tartu in 1979, later evolved into the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. “Almost all statisticians currently working in Estonia can consider themselves her academic successors,” said Krista Fischer, a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences and Professor of Mathematical Statistics. “Already in 1968, she started and led a family research group at the University of Tartu, which brought together legal scholars, sociologists, medical professionals, psychologists, education experts, economists, and mathematicians. Over more than twenty years, they published numerous articles addressing both the formation of families and the factors influencing family stability,” Fischer added.

Developing the scientific language

As a result of the years-long work of Ene Margit Tiit and her colleagues, the Estonian language has gained terms such as üldkogum (population), valim (sample), valimkeskmine (sample mean), valiku uuringute teooria (survey sampling theory) and many other terms that are now widely recognised. She has published more than 30 textbooks and handbooks. Since 1995, Ene-Margit Tiit has been an honorary doctor of the University of Helsinki. She is also the recipient of the Star and Grand Star of Tartu decorations, an honorary citizen of Tartu, a Trailblazer of Tartu, and Postimees’ Opinion Leader of the Year 2024. Tiit has been awarded the Order of the White Star, 4th class, and the Medal and Grand Medal of the University of Tartu.

Colleagues describe Ene-Margit Tiit as a caring and warm person who knows how to inspire her supervisees and statisticians of younger generations.

Sincere congratulations, dear Ene-Margit!