Seventh Pillar Fund scholarship opens doors for two young researchers

How does international research cooperation begin? How do new research methods emerge, and how are connections forged that last a lifetime? Sometimes, it all starts with a scholarship. This year’s recipients of the University of Tartu Seventh Pillar Fund scholarship, history master’s student Marie Anna Blehner and pharmacy student Janeli Lember, will use the grant to go abroad to study and represent Estonia, and later bring the knowledge and experience back home.

Fieldwork at dozens of excavation sites, numerous publications, international and professional presentations, and her varied efforts to popularise archaeology were the reasons why Marie Anna Blehner was selected as one of the scholarship recipients from among nearly fifty applicants. The committee described her as a dedicated young researcher with great potential and a clear sense of purpose.

For Blehner, the scholarship means, above all, the opening of new international opportunities. At the end of August, she will travel to Greece to attend the European Association of Archaeologists’ annual meeting, the largest gathering of archaeologists in Europe. There, she will present her master’s thesis to receive feedback and continue researching the topic at the doctoral level.

Later this year, with the support of the scholarship, she will spend a week at the Department of Geosciences at Aarhus University in Denmark to develop a new method for analysing archaeological material – one that causes less damage to the research materials than currently used methods.

Blehner expresses her deep gratitude to the fund’s donors who are willing to support the careers of future researchers. „With their help, I will be able to enhance my skills in archaeological research abroad. This way, donors are also contributing to the advancement of Estonian research.“

The other recipient of this year’s scholarship, Janeli Lember, was recognised by the committee for her active involvement in research, development, and society at large. According to Janno Lahe, chair of the evaluation committee and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Lember is precisely the right candidate for the University of Tartu Seventh Pillar Fund scholarship.

For Lember, the scholarship is not just a personal opportunity but also a way to give back. She is actively involved in the international internship programme of the Pharmaceutical Society of the University of Tartu, where she helps bring international students to Estonia and introduce the country to them.

„So far, I have done this using my own resources, which has meant having to give up on some activities,“ she admits. Now, she has the opportunity to take a more thorough approach – introducing guests to Estonian culture, nature and food traditions, and sending Estonian handicrafts as a token of appreciation to the hosts of Estonian students abroad.

At the same time, she continues to develop herself. If possible, Lember plans to undergo a professional traineeship outside Europe to test herself in a new environment. She believes that even modest support can make a significant difference for an active student. „A scholarship can open doors, enable you to commit to research and take part in events where you can form important professional or personal relationships that can last a lifetime,“ Lember said.

After a five-year break, the University of Tartu Seventh Pillar Fund once again offered scholarships to outstanding students. This was largely made possible by the donation week, held at the time of the anniversary of Estonia’s national university, during which people were invited to support the fund. It was the university community’s joint effort that now allows this year’s scholarship recipients to go out into the world, bring back knowledge and share it with others. Just imagine how many more such stories could emerge if there were greater opportunities.

Get involved – support the University of Tartu Seventh Pillar Fund!