Elina Liiva is an architect, artistic researcher, junior researcher and doctoral student at the Faculty of Architecture of the Estonian Academy of Arts. Her doctoral research focuses on sustainable urban planning and reducing the carbon footprint of the construction sector, exploring the economic, social and ethical aspects of spatial design and the impact of legislation on the built environment. Her broader research interests include resource-efficient architecture, building renovation, alternative real estate development models and community-based spatial practices. In 2025, Elina received the Estonian Academy of Arts Artistic Research Publication Award for her work A Script of the Tragicomedy of an Apartment Building. As Elina Liiva has also been serving as the doctoral students’ representative on the EKA Doctoral School Board since this autumn, we asked her a few questions about her new role.
You became the doctoral students’ representative on the Doctoral School Board this autumn. What motivated you to take on this role, and what goals have you set for yourself? In other words, what would you really like to achieve?
I’m now approaching the final stages of my doctoral studies, but I feel that it’s only now that I’m beginning to truly understand what doing a PhD involves, along with the world of opportunities that comes with it. Since working on a doctoral thesis is a very independent process, it also brings plenty of uncertainty and questions such as: Why am I doing this? Who needs this research? What exactly am I doing? Everyone else has a proper job…
These kinds of questions were also part of what motivated me to try taking on the role of doctoral students’ representative. First and foremost, I want to be as effective a bridge as possible between the Doctoral School leadership and doctoral students, making sure that students’ wishes and ideas are heard and represented. On a more personal level, I’d like to foster a stronger sense of community among doctoral students. My hope is that, with a greater sense of belonging, it will also become easier to work through those questions together.
Your own doctoral research focuses on sustainable urban planning. Do you feel that your experience as a researcher has given you insights or skills that you can bring to your new role?
The most important lesson I can bring from my own research experience is the understanding that doing a PhD is not necessarily a linear process. Along the way, there are many changes, whether personal, related to the research topic or arising from the university system itself. These situations can sometimes be difficult to navigate alone, and it can become tempting to give up altogether. I believe that clearer communication between doctoral students, supervisors and the Doctoral School Board could make a real difference here.
What should the message be to your fellow doctoral students: Who should reach out to their representative, and what kinds of questions or concerns can they bring to you?
I’ve always believed that there’s no harm in asking questions. Anyone is welcome to contact me with any questions related to doctoral studies. I might not always know the answer, but in that case, I’ll help direct the question to the right person or at least think it through together.
Questions: Triin Männik