Ester Oras has been awarded the honorary title Woman Scientist of the Year

The Estonian Association of University Women has named Ester Oras, Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Archaeology and leader of the Archemy archaeochemistry research group, as the Woman Scientist of the Year.

In her diverse research, Ester Oras intertwines methods from archaeology, chemistry, biology, and food science. She founded Archemy, the first archaeochemistry laboratory in the Baltic region at the University of Tartu, focusing her research on ancient dietary habits in Northern Europe. Among other topics, her team investigates what people ate, how food culture varied across social strata, and how dietary practices were linked to broader economic and cultural systems. Ester Oras has also applied her archaeochemistry expertise to study ancient migrations and Stone Age crafting techniques.

Oras has furthered her expertise in top scientific institutions worldwide, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History (now the Institute of Geoanthropology), and the Weizmann Institute, where she acquired advanced analytical chemistry methods such as mass spectrometry and chromatography. As an internationally recognised expert in the biomolecular analysis of food residues, she collaborates with scientists from Germany, Finland, the UK, and other countries. Her research has been published in more than 50 scientific articles in leading archaeology and natural science journals. For her groundbreaking work, Oras recently received the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant. She also plays a vital role in several professional organisations, including the International Society for Biomolecular Archaeology.

Ester Oras shapes both science and the role of scientists in society. Alongside her research, she is a dedicated science communicator and advocate for gender equality, frequently speaking in schools, museums, and on television to raise awareness about archaeology and inspire future scientists. Her initiative established the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in Estonia, and she has participated in numerous international gender equality projects. Through her involvement, the University of Tartu has developed a gender equality plan and promoted a more inclusive academic environment.