On 13 October 2026, the Board of the Estonian Academy of Sciences appointed Professor Alar Konist of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) as the new Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Oil Shale, for a five-year term beginning on 22 October.

Alar Konist is Director of the Department of Energy Technology, Tenured Full Professor and Head of the Research Group of Sustainable Energy and Fuels at TalTech. His research focuses on areas including oil shale and biomass valorisation, carbon capture and utilisation technologies, and the development of sustainable energy systems.

Konist is well acquainted with Oil Shale, having served on its Editorial Board for several years. As the new Editor-in-Chief, he aims to increase the journal’s international visibility, attract more high-quality research papers, and streamline its editorial and publication processes.

“Alar Konist has an ambitious and well-considered vision for the journal’s development. Of particular importance is his commitment to raising its scientific standards and strengthening its editorial team,” said Marek Tamm, Vice-President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences and Chair of the Publishing Council.

The Estonian Academy Publishers extends its sincere gratitude to the outgoing Editor-in-Chief, Professor Andres Siirde, for his many years of dedicated work in developing Oil Shale. Professor Siirde has led the journal since 2019, having previously served as its Deputy Editor-in-Chief from 2008 to 2018.

We wish Professor Konist every success in his new role!