Hi folks. Welcome to the first edition of TalTech Thursday. I'm excited to share my journey with you as I pursue a master's degree in Technology Governance and Sustainability at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). Over the coming months, I'll take you along my adventures in my Estonia, reflecting on what I'm learning and the connections I'm making to our work at the Institute for Collaborative Innovation (ICI), based in Ottawa, Canada.
Why did I come all the way to Estonia?
For starters, Estonia is a global leader in digital innovation and e-governance. It is ranked second globally on the United Nations E-Government Development Index and has earned a reputation for its forward-thinking approach to building a digital society. This website provides a nice overview of the development of 'e-Estonia'. This conversation between Taiwan's inaugural Digital Minister, Audrey Tang, and former Estonian president, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, goes into greater depth on the topic. Tallinn, Estonia's capital, is also home to NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, making it a hub for cybersecurity studies - a popular program at TalTech.
The Technology Governance and Sustainability program at TalTech explores how we can govern technological change in ways that promote sustainable development. So far, it is tackling big questions about the future of business, digital innovation, and political economy. Having studied the broken dynamics of online information networks and being involved with ICI's work on innovation ecosystems, I see this field as central to addressing the interconnected challenges that make up the polycrisis.
How can we create win-win dynamics for both business and society?
What role will citizen-generated data play in the next techno-economic paradigm?
Is it necessary for governments to intervene in markets in order for democracy and capitalism to flourish?
These are some of the questions I'll be digging into over the course of my studies and in this blog series.
I arrived in Tallinn a bit over a month ago, and the city already feels familiar in some ways. The forests remind me of Ontario and the start-of-autumn weather is nothing new. Shorter days in the winter will make for a challenge - vitamin D supplementing is encouraged here. I'm also making an effort to learn some Estonian, but it is quite a challenge so far.
My master's program study cohort consists of nine other students from diverse countries, including China, Kenya, Ukraine, and more. Many of our classes are crosslisted with the PIONEER (Public Sector and Innovation Governance) master's program.
We've already covered some fascinating topics such as Erik Reinert's Theory of Uneven Development and Carlota Perez's Techno-Economic Paradigms. Future classes will discuss the social externalities of technology and governing in the digital era, which I plan to share about here in future posts.
My primary aim in coming to TalTech was to expand my understanding of the governance and economic aspects of technology. I believe we stand at a crossroads where the future of the internet digital sphere, business models, and innovation strategies are being redefined. A global, systems-oriented perspective is something I hope to contribute to Canada's development as we adapt to the polycrisis. I'm eager to learn more about lessons Canada can draw from Estonia's experiences.
You can expect future biweekly posts to explore these topics, including reflections on my coursework and thoughts on how to foster innovation that benefits all.
Until next time! Kõike head! (all the best)