Public Administration Capabilities for Digital and Sustainable Transition

Welcome to PADST, an innovative EU-funded project led by the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance at TalTech. Our mission is clear: to enhance research excellence in the realms of public administration, digital transformation, and sustainable transitions. As we embark on this transformative journey, we are committed to modernizing our capabilities in research, teaching, and knowledge transfer.

Collaborating closely with esteemed partners such as KU Leuven, Universiteit Utrecht, and University College London, PADST is not just a project; it’s a collaborative force. Together, we strive to elevate research standards, enrich organizational capacities, and refine educational methods.

Join us in shaping the future of public administration and sustainable transition. PADST is more than a project; it’s a dynamic alliance driving innovation and progress.


  • Design Workshop Recap

    Unveiling Insights: Design Workshop Recap A few weeks ago, our consortium partners conducted a pivotal design session for the PADST case study, hosted by Utrecht University. This gathering brought together diverse experts and participants who contributed their enthusiasm and unique perspectives, significantly enriching our understanding of the project’s objectives. During this dynamic session, innovative working…

  • Latest Seminar

    Exploring Technology Hypes at the Ragnar Nurkse Department Seminar The Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, a cornerstone of the PADST project, recently hosted an enlightening seminar focused on the dynamics of technology hypes. This seminar featured key insights from a special issue edited by Jascha Bareis, Maximilian Roßmann, and Frédérique Bordignon in the…

  • Seminar Series

    In a recent seminar at the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, integral to the PADST project, we were privileged to host Professor Susana Borrás from Copenhagen Business School. The seminar offered a profound exploration of innovation policy, focusing particularly on Borrás’ co-authored analysis of the multifaceted roles the state assumes in steering socio-technical…

  • PADST Summer School

    Navigate the Twin Transition: Apply Now for the Digital and Sustainable Transition Summer School 2024 at UCL – London   The pressures of adapting to digital advancements and climate change are straining public administrations that aim to assess and deal with these changes for a sustainable future and improved policymaking. To support the adaptation, the PADST project encourages…

  • New Call for Papers

    We invite scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit papers that explore the multifaceted dimensions of state capacities and capabilities for societal transformations. State Capacities and Capabilities for Societal Transformations In the current era marked by grand societal challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, increasing inequalities, pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and unprecedented global competition, States find…

  • 🌟 Call for Papers

    Special Issue of Information Polity: Teaching Digital Governance. 📚 Guest edited by Erna Ruijer and Veiko Lember, this special issue delves into the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in the public sector. We’re seeking contributions on topics like digital competencies for public officials, citizen engagement in the digital era, and the integration of AI…

  • New Article Alert: Exploring the Twin Transition

    We’re thrilled to announce the publication of the latest research by our esteemed PADST consortium partner, Professor Albert Meijer from Utrecht University School of Governance. Titled “Perspectives on the Twin Transition: Instrumental and Institutional Linkages Between the Digital and Sustainability Transitions,” this article offers groundbreaking insights into the evolving relationship between e-governance and sustainable development.…

  • Public Value Creation with Artificial Intelligence

    On December 1st, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) celebrated the successful defense of Colin Pascal van Noordt’s PhD thesis, “Public Value Creation with Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Public Administration.” This groundbreaking research delves into the transformative potential of AI in the public sector, exploring its role in enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and the creation of public…

  • PADST Engages in Transformative Conversations on Public Administration Competencies

    PADST project Principal Project Lead, Professor Veiko Lember, recently participated in an insightful session focused on the evolving landscape of public administration. The discussions delved into the crucial competencies that civil servants need to cultivate in this new era. The event featured a dynamic panel with two engaging presentations followed by a stimulating debate among…

  • Recap of ERA 2024 Knowledge Day and Brokerage Event

    In a bid to catalyse collaboration and fortify our research management and administration capabilities, the PADST Project Administrator (RND, TalTech) recently attended the ERA 2024 Knowledge Day and Brokerage Event. This insightful gathering brought together experts and enthusiasts from the research community. The event gave our team the tools needed to contribute actively to the…