2025–2028
Kats is the Head of Education and Prevention at the Institute of Baltic Studies. She began working at IBS as an analyst in 2012 and has been a board member since 2022. Over the years, she has participated in numerous studies, covering topics ranging from education and the labor market to health and prevention, culture, integration, and impact assessment. She is well-versed in both quantitative and qualitative methods and continuously seeks to expand her expertise.
Academically, Kats is a political scientist — her doctoral dissertation at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu focused on left- and right-wing self-identification in new democracies. Currently, she is furthering her knowledge in applied behavioral science at the University of Tartu’s master’s program. Previously, she spent nearly a decade teaching university courses at her alma mater on public opinion, political behavior, and qualitative research methods.
In her free time, Kats enjoys playing tennis and beach volleyball, reading popular science and fiction, traveling, and photography — especially capturing portraits. She also occasionally attends movies, concerts, and theater performances and enjoys organizing unique events with friends.