BUP Student Conference 2025
The Baltic University Programme’s Coordinating Secretariat at Uppsala University and Tallinn University are pleased to announce the BUP’s annual Student Conference for 2025. This year’s conference is entitled 'Water and the Baltic City: Building Climate Resilience'.
The conference is free of charge and open to bachelor and master students studying at BUP participating universities. At least 80 students will be selected to take part in the conference.
This year’s theme explores the role of urban water systems in adapting to climate change challenges. Through keynote speeches, workshops, and field excursions in the historic city of Tallinn, the participants will learn about how water intersects with various disciplines such as urban planning, public health, ecology and public policy.

Photo: Marlene Leppänen
Learning objectives
- Develop students’ expertise in interdisciplinary and intercultural communication.
- Introduce and expand students’ skills in different academic activities; workshopping, discussions, moderating and presenting.
- Reflect on the role of water in building climate resilience in urban environments, with a focus on cities in the Baltic Sea Region.
- Encourage students to become problem-solving thinkers, with a view to the future and continuing a sustainable future/rebuilding.
Program
23 April – arrival in Tallinn, check-in, icebreaker activities, lectures and social activities
24 April – lectures, panel discussions, workshops, cultural party
25 April – excursions, Students' Parliament, closing dinner
26 April – departure
All breakfast, lunch, dinner & coffee breaks are included for free during the event program days.
Quick information
- Dates: 23-26 April 2025
- Open for bachelor and master students at BUP participating universities
- Application deadline: 2 March 2025
- Free of charge
- Place: Tallinn, Estonia
Students' Parliament 2025
The Students' Parliament aims to increase the participation of students from participating universities in planning and decision making of The Baltic University Programme. Students accepted to the conference will automatically become members of the Students' Parliament.
The parliamentary session is a chance for the students to run as a candidate as the BUP Student Representative to the BUP's International Board. It is a chance to make your voice heard by submitting motions (proposals), that if approved will be forwarded to the BUP International Board. The session is also an opportunity for students to organise.

Students taking part in a vote during a Students’ Parliament session. Photo: Brian Kipruto
Practical information
Cost and location
The conference will take place on-site at Tallinn University in Tallinn, Estonia.
The conference does not have any participant fees.
Each student has to fund their travels to and from Tallinn by themselves. The BUP would encourage students to look for potential grant opportunities at their university.
If you don't show up or cancel your participation with late notice (after 21 March), we hold the right to charge you or your university department the cost of your participation (320 €). We only accept late cancellations due to illness, family-related matters or force majeure, if sufficient documents can be provided (doctor's certificate, etc.).
Accommodation and food
Accepted students will be accommodated in Tallinn in shared hotel rooms for the duration of the conference with check in on 23 April and check out on 26 April. All meals will be provided during the conference period.
For students who reside in Tallinn already, you will be expected to stay in your own accommodation, but are very welcome to lunches and dinners.
Selection of students
After the application deadline on 2 March 2025, The Baltic University Programme’s Coordinating Secretariat and the BUP National Centres will select the students based on their motivation, field of study and background. Selected students will be offered a place, while additional students will be put on a waiting list. At the latest by 13 March 2025, all students will have been contacted.
Speakers and key cases

Simon Bell
Chair Professor of Landscape Architecture
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Keynote speaker – 'The role of urban blue spaces for human health and wellbeing'
Key case – 'BlueHealth project in Tallinn'

Jekaterina Balicka
PhD student
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Key case – 'BlueHealth project in Tallinn'

Peeter Vassiljev
MSc
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Key case – 'BlueHealth project in Tallinn'

Jaanus Terasmaa
Professor of Ecohydrology & Head of Institute of Ecology
Tallinn University
Lecture – ‘Community-based Water Monitoring: Using Citizen Science in Urban Water Assessment’
Key case – ‘Rethinking Urban Waters: A Serious Game Workshop on Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Resilient Cities’

Triinu Jesmin
PhD & Researcher of Serious Games
Tallinn University
Key case – ‘Rethinking Urban Waters: A Serious Game Workshop on Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Resilient Cities’

Jürgen Karvak
PhD student
University of Tartu
Key case – ‘Urban water body ecology’

Heidi Tuhkanen
Senior Expert
Stockholm Environment Institute, Tallinn
Key case – ‘Climate risk and vulnerability’

Marko Vainu
PhD & Research Fellow
Tallinn University/Estonian Environment Agency
Excursion – ‘Pääsküla springs and bog restoration’

Tarmo Pikner
PhD & Senior Research Fellow
Tallinn University
Lecture – ‘Urban commons and water’

Tiit Vaasma
PhD & Research Fellow
Tallinn University
Lecture – ‘Various studies on lakes - the case of Tallinn water supply system’

Egert Vandel
PhD & Research Fellow
Tallinn University
Lecture – ‘Various studies on lakes - the case of Tallinn water supply system’

Villu Kadakas
PhD & Senior Research Fellow
Tallinn University/Estonian Academy of Arts
Lecture – ‘Water management in Tallinn before the building the treatment plant (from the Middle Ages until 1927)’
Marketing material
We welcome you to share information about the BUP Student Conference and invite you to use our marketing material:
Event image for Instagram story

Photo: Marlene Leppänen
Contacts and more information
If you have any questions or want more information about the conference, you are most welcome to contact the conference organising team.

Lara Kerschl
Project administrator
The Baltic University Programme's Coordinating Secretariat at Uppsala University
Phone: +46 18 471 49 32

Kiana Islamian
Project administrator
The Baltic University Programme's Coordinating Secretariat at Uppsala University
Phone: +46 18 471 25 05