Estonia's Nature Museum director selection sparks criticism from museum sector

Estonia's Ministry of Climate has selected Riina Roosipuu, a ministry official with no direct experience in museums or research institutions, as the new director of the Museum of Nature and the forthcoming Taru nature house. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the Estonian Museums Union, which sent an open letter to the ministry arguing that the selection of a state museum director should be professional, independent, and include sector expertise.

Deputy Secretary General Marten Kokk explained that the previous director Heidi Jõks's five-year term was ending on November 30, and according to OECD principles on effective public governance, senior leadership terms should typically be between five and seven years, with a maximum of ten. The competition attracted 13 candidates, who underwent aptitude tests and multiple rounds of interviews.

Minister of Climate Andres Sutt defended the choice, stating that Roosipuu was selected for her senior management experience—she previously led Eesti Loto, worked for IBM for ten years, and launched the Tallinn TV Tower visitor center. Moreover, she has been working on the Taru project within the ministry for ten months, giving her deep knowledge of its strengths and weaknesses. The ministry's view is that the museum director's primary role is to be a strategist and administrator, not a content expert; scientific and curatorial work will be delegated to specialists.

Kokk added that this model is common internationally: for example, Europe's largest natural history museum in Leiden is led by a former diplomat, and London's Natural History Museum by a former management consultant. Minister Sutt rejected calls for a new competition, stating there was no reason to change the decision. He agreed to meet with Museum of Nature staff to address their concerns about the future.

The Taru nature house complex, under construction near Tallinn's seaplane harbor, consists of three buildings connected by an underground floor. In addition to the Museum of Nature, it will house several climate ministry agencies and the Language Inspectorate. The construction contract is valued at €54.3 million (excluding VAT), built by Nordecon. The building is designed as a nearly zero-energy wooden structure. Construction is expected to be completed by autumn, with the new permanent exhibition opening to visitors early next year.