Ene Ergma: the political physicist

RTDinfo : The President of the Estonian Parliament, the Rikogu, Ene Ergma describes how she went into politics to defend science in the latest issue of RTDinfo. Ergma points out that “Education is a long-term project, whereas many politicians are concerned mainly with managing four-year cycles. They also know how to count their voters. In Estonia, there are 3 000 scientists who vote and 300 000 pensioners!” Ergma became interested in science after she heard someone speak about plasma physics. “Although to this day I do not truly understand why, that fascinated me... I bought a book on the subject and started to work.” Eventually she moved to Moscow to study physics. After 24 years in Russia she moved back to Estonia to become a professor at Tartu University. The move was brought about by trouble with the authorities after speaking out on human rights issues. “For the last nine years of my [Russia] career, I was not allowed to leave the country. I was being punished."Since entering politics in 2002 she says she has become less optimistic. “You know, nature is unique, the laws of physics are unique, but people are multiple. The laws of society are much more complicated than the laws of nature!"Ene Ergma also works with the European commission looking at the situation of women researchers in the former Communist countries. “At first, I thought it was a pseudo problem. I had enjoyed a wonderful career without too many problems. But then I read the reports of my colleagues and the figures said it all. While most PhDs are women, more than 85% of professors are men!”