Gea is the Head of Communication at the University of Tartu. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and communication, she leads a team of eleven people, handling the university's strategic communication, public and media relations, research communication, and internal communications. Prior to this role, she managed communication and marketed the study programmes at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Before working in academia, Gea gained experience in the IT sector.
The international security situation has shifted, and the context for global scientific cooperation has changed. At the start of 2024, Estonian security services apprehended Viacheslav Morozov, a professor of international political theory at the University of Tartu, one of the oldest universities in the Baltics. Six months later, he was found guilty of espionage against the Estonian state. The investigation revealed some astonishing details. Morozov was recruited 30 years ago and received thorough training and preparation, making him a professional spy.
The news was shocking within the university. Mixed emotions and reactions both inside and outside the university made the situation difficult. What challenges does the university face when such cases come to light, and how does it manage communication with multiple target groups, starting from the professor's students and ending with international audiences?
In this presentation, I will discuss the lessons learned and the changes in our crisis communication management. I will also explore the concept of responsible internationalisation. In Estonia, the outbreak of the war in Ukraine was a turning point in raising awareness of potential risks. An example of how hostile foreign intelligence agencies can target universities is the espionage case that became public at the beginning of 2024.