Riina Roosipuu will lead Estonia’s Natural History Museum from 2028

Riina Roosipuu, selected as the next director of the Estonian Natural History Museum, will take up the post after the museum opens its new permanent exhibition, no later than May 2028, ERR reported. The delay follows an out-of-court settlement between the Ministry of Climate and current director Heidi Jõks.

Roosipuu is currently director of the Taru nature house. Until she takes over, deputy director Egle Hecht will serve as acting director. Jõks’s third term ended on October 1.

Jõks had sought to have the results of the director’s public recruitment competition annulled in court, but was also willing to reach an out-of-court agreement. Ministry public relations adviser Karoli Noor said the ministry agreed to settle to avoid prolonging uncertainty and placing an unnecessary burden on museum staff.

The ministry paid Jõks 22,825 euros in compensation. The amount includes her salary through the end of November, holiday pay and a performance bonus. The ministry was represented by law firm Cobalt, whose legal fees were 17,485 euros plus VAT.