Beyond borders: how mobility transformed my research and life

What happens when a researcher packs up their life and career to start over in a new country? Professor Timo Tobias Ley, former ERA Chair holder, shares how relocating reshaped his research, opened unexpected doors, and sparked new ways of thinking about education, innovation, and collaboration. From early influences to his most recent move to Estonia, Tobias' story offers a compelling look at the unexpected rewards of stepping beyond the familiar.

Your academic path has taken you from Germany to the US and Australia, and back to Europe for your PhD in Austria, and then to Estonia. Was the desire for mobility present from the very start of your career?

Yes, I think the seed was planted early. I was an exchange student in the US during school, and later volunteered for a youth exchange organisation in Germany. My wife also had international experience, so when the opportunity to move to Estonia came up, we were ready to take it. We knew there would be difficulties, but we also believed we could handle them. That early exposure to mobility shaped my openness and confidence to embrace such moves later in life.

Can you share your initial impressions upon arriving in Estonia as an ERA Chair holder almost 15 years ago?

In 2011, when I arrived in Estonia, before the ERA Chair officially started, it felt like stepping into a country undergoing rapid transformation. Estonia had recently joined the eurozone and wasn't long into its EU membership - so the pace of development was incredibly dynamic. You could still see remnants of the Soviet era, but alongside them were clear signs of an entrepreneurial, forward-looking society.

What aspects of the research environment most surprised you?

Coming from the more hierarchical and administratively heavy German and Austrian university systems, Estonia's academic environment was strikingly agile and innovation-driven. This was especially true in education technology, which is my area of research.

Estonia's strong national digitalisation strategy translated directly into the education sector, where schools and teachers were not just open to innovation, they were eager to collaborate and experiment. That energy was unique.

What valuable research insights have you gained from your time working there?

Working in Estonia allowed me to truly explore how to integrate technology into education in a real-world setting. The openness of the school system and the collaborative mindset of teachers made it possible to experiment and co-develop new models of teacher professional development and technology adoption.

We looked at how these technologies could be meaningfully embedded in the classroom, and how teachers could be supported throughout the process.

Much of that research, models, strategies, practical tools, emerged directly from that Estonian experience, and I doubt it could have been achieved the same way elsewhere.

What has been the most emotionally rewarding part of this journey for you?

The most rewarding aspects were the recognition our work received, European awards, journal best paper prizes, and the success of our PhD students. These outcomes validated our efforts and showed that our work had a wider impact.

We managed to attract a lot of talent and resources. Around 25 PhD students were connected to our projects in some way. That scale allowed us to initiate broader research on doctoral education itself, and it was a privilege to mentor and learn from so many early-career researchers.

Do you believe that increased mobility opens new career opportunities for researchers?

Absolutely. Through the project funded under ERA Chairs action I was able to recruit a diverse team of PhD students and postdocs, combining local and international talent. That mix was key, as not only did it strengthen our research capacity, but also helped our team members grow professionally. Many have since moved into international roles or continued collaborating across borders.

This mobility didn't just benefit the individuals involved, as it also made our institution more visible and impactful. One of my former postdocs is now working with me in Austria, and we regularly host visiting researchers from Estonia. It's been a truly enriching exchange.

How has exposure to different research cultures and environments shaped your way of thinking?

Educational research is often very national, tied to local systems and contexts. But working abroad has helped me develop a more international perspective.

In Estonia, I frequently had to present our work to visitors from Germany, Austria, and even Asia. That helped me articulate how our approaches worked, but also reflect on broader questions, such as: what mechanisms make education effective, regardless of national context? I'm not a comparative education scholar, but I now think more transversally, seeing patterns beyond the local.

Looking back, is there any advice you would give to other researchers considering a similar journey?

First, plan the family transition carefully. It's a big adjustment, especially with children. Think it through and prepare for the emotional and practical challenges.

Second, learn the local language as early as possible. It's easy to rely on English, but that can become a trap. Being able to understand what's going on in meetings, schools, or daily life, even passively, makes a huge difference in feeling connected and effective.

Finally, from a professional standpoint, I always advise researchers to develop a long-term research vision. Projects come and go, but having a broader agenda helps you stay grounded and communicate your value. Especially when moving into new contexts, you need to be able to explain what you bring, not just the list of projects you've done, but your purpose as a researcher.