Research · Media · Digital society · Public debate

Research with a public voice.

I am a researcher, lecturer and public writer working across digital society, media, health information, artificial intelligence and drug policy. I am particularly interested in how information, technologies and public narratives shape the ways people understand complex social problems.

Digital societyinformation behaviour, inequality and inclusion
Media & public discoursenarratives, representation and visibility
Drug policymedia, markets, technology and social change
Marianne Paimre
Marianne Paimre

Featured Writing

Recent essays and commentary bringing research, policy developments and social analysis into wider public debate. English titles are editorial translations for this website; the original articles were published in Estonian.

Postimees Trinokkel · 29 August 2026

The Wrong Question in Drug Policy

Drug use is increasingly tied not only to escape, but to keeping up with work, study and performance pressure. The essay argues that drug policy should ask less about which substance to ban next and more about why so many people need chemical acceleration or relief to function.

Original Estonian title: “Uimastipoliitika vale küsimus”

Read original in Estonian →
Õpetajate Leht · 25 August 2026

Source Criticism Has Fallen Behind AI

Traditional source criticism assumes that checking several sources increases confidence. In AI-mediated information environments, apparently different sources may repeat the same underlying material, creating an illusion of independent confirmation.

Original Estonian title: “Allikakriitika on tehisarule jalgu jäänud”

Read original in Estonian →
Delfi · 14 August 2026

The Drug Market Works Like Fast Fashion

Synthetic drug markets change with extraordinary speed. This piece compares that logic to fast fashion and asks how policy can respond when new compounds appear faster than conventional regulation can keep up.

Original Estonian title: “Narkoturg töötab nagu kiirmood – turule tuleb kaks uut ainet nädalas”

Read original in Estonian →
Postimees · 17 July 2026

When the Drug Market Starts to Look Like an Online Store

Drug markets have adopted the logic of platforms, digital marketing and consumer culture. Prevention therefore needs to address algorithms, persuasion and media literacy alongside substances and health risks.

Original Estonian title: “Kui narkoturg hakkab meenutama e-poodi”

Read original in Estonian →
Delfi · 10 July 2026

What If Drugs Are No Longer Just Substances?

Drawing on EUDA future scenarios, this essay asks how policy should respond when psychoactive experiences are increasingly shaped by AI, neurotechnology and digital systems.

Original Estonian title: “Narkootikumid, mis polegi enam ained? Tarkvara, mis juhib ja kujundab sõltuvusi? Eesti pole tulevikuks valmis”

Read original in Estonian →
Postimees · 30 June 2026

Estonia as Europe’s Drug Testing Ground

Estonia has encountered especially dangerous synthetic opioids earlier than much of Europe. The article asks whether that painful experience has been converted into expertise and influence.

Original Estonian title: “Eesti kui narko-katselaps: meie surnud on teistele riikidele hoiatussüsteem”

Read original in Estonian →
View all public writing →

Featured Research

Peer-reviewed research on health information behaviour, digital inequality, technology use and health-related decision-making.

Health Education & Behavior · 2024

How Technology, Health Information Seeking, and Socioeconomic Factors Are Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination Readiness in Estonians Over 50 Years?

Examines the relationships between ICT use, online health-information seeking, socioeconomic factors and vaccination readiness among people aged 50 and over in Estonia.

DOI / Read article →
Journal of Documentation · 2023

Health Information Behavior and Related Factors Among Estonians Aged ≥ 50 Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Investigates how health-information needs, online searching, technology use, socioeconomic factors and health-related choices intersect among older adults.

DOI / Read article →
Doctoral Dissertation · 2026

Patterns of Online Health Information-Seeking Behaviour and Related Factors Among Estonian Older Adults

Brings together research on health-information seeking, digital skills, trust, technology use and the unequal ability to benefit from online health information.

More about the research →
View selected publications →

Areas of Work

Abstract illustration for public writing
Public Writing

Research in public debate

Essays and commentary on drugs, technology, media, AI and information.

Abstract illustration for research
Research

Information, technology & inequality

Peer-reviewed research on health-information behaviour and digital participation.

Abstract illustration for media
Media

Interviews & appearances

Coverage of research, expert commentary and radio appearances.

In the media

Selected coverage & appearances

More media →
Profile

Researcher, lecturer and public writer

My academic and public work connects information studies, digital society and media analysis. Across these fields, I am interested in a common question: how do people make sense of information, technologies and social problems — and what happens when the systems around them change faster than public understanding?

About Marianne →