The President of ISMS 2026, Dr Tiia-Triin Truusa, Baltic Defence College

Dr. Tiia‑Triin Truusa serves as the President of the International Society of Military Sciences (ISMS) and is the Dean of the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL), where she brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of military sociology, defence education, and civil–military relations. She earned her Doctoral Degree from the University of Tartu in 2022, with a dissertation examining the interconnections between Estonia’s civilian and military spheres.  Dr. Truusa’s scholarly work spans conscription, national defence attitudes, military human resources, and the dynamics of military–societal relations. Before becoming Dean in 2025, she served as BALTDEFCOL’s Manager of Academic Activities (2020–2025), shaping curriculum development and academic quality assurance. She has also held research and teaching roles at the University of Tartu, including as Research Fellow in Military Sociology.  Her international contributions include representing Estonia in NATO research groups such as SAS‑ET‑GF on willingness to defend and HFM‑263 on veterans’ transition, the latter earning her the HFM Panel Excellence Award for extraordinary scientific contribution. She has served as President of the European Research Group on Military and Society (2019–2023) and contributes to the field as a reviewer and editorial board member for leading defence‑studies journals. A long‑time member of Estonia’s Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation, Dr. Truusa combines academic rigor with a deep commitment to strengthening democratic defence institutions and advancing interdisciplinary military science across the international community.