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.

Learn more

Latest outputs

  • Nurkse Reading Seminar – Spring 2025

    The Nurkse Reading Seminar returns for the Spring 2025 semester with an engaging lineup of discussions on key themes in public administration, governance, and innovation. This seminar provides an interdisciplinary platform for scholars and students to explore critical theoretical and empirical perspectives. 📍 Hybrid FormatThe seminar will take place in room SOC-426 and online via…

  • PADST Summer School 2025

    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 Public Administration Capabilities for Digital and Sustainable Transition (PADST) project will encourage research and discussions into public administration and policymaking…

  • 📢 Call for Papers: EGPA Annual Conference 2025 – State Capacities and Capabilities for Multi-dimensional Transformations

    The European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) Annual Conference 2025 will be held at the Centre for Public Policy at the University of Glasgow from August 26 – 29, 2025. This year, Permanent Study Group XV on Public Administration, Technology, and Innovation (PATI) invites scholars to contribute papers on the theme State Capacities and Capabilities…

  • PADST Shines at PUBSIC 2025: Driving Urban Innovation for the Twin Transition​

    Utrecht, Netherlands – The PADST project made a significant impact at the 7th Innovation in Public Services and Public Policy Conference (PUBSIC 2025), held in Utrecht and hosted by our esteemed partner, Utrecht University School of Governance. In an era where democratic values and sustainable development are under increasing strain, the conference spotlighted the critical…

  • PADST at the EGPA 2024: Study Group and Presentations

    The EGPA 2024 Conference, held in Athens, Greece from September 3-6, brought together leading academics and practitioners to discuss “Strengthening Democratic Governance for Better Public Policies and Services.” The conference, organized in cooperation with Panteion University, featured a dedicated session focused on the PADST project (Public Administration Capabilities for Digital and Sustainability Transitions). Our session,…

  • Open Lecture on Twin Transition: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

      On May 13, Prof. Veiko Lember from TalTech’s Nurkse Department delivered an enlightening lecture titled “The Three Faces of Twin Transition: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” in the framework of the EuroTeQ European Universities alliance, a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. This event examined the dual dynamics of digital…

  • 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…