The call for applications for philosophy residency is closed for 2024. Click here for more information.

Postgraduate Seminar in Tartu for Susimetsa Residents (April 1-2, 2025)

On April 1-2, 2025, the Department of Philosophy and the Centre for Ethics at the University of Tartu, along with Susimetsa Philosophicum, will host a postgraduate seminar. During this event, postgraduate students and early-career researchers in residence at Susimetsa in March and April will meet with PhD students and faculty members from the University of Tartu's Department of Philosophy. The seminar will feature presentations, discussions on each other's research projects, and opportunities to explore potential collaborations.

Residents of Susimetsa will have the chance to get acquainted with the University of Tartu, learn about the research conducted by the Department of Philosophy, and experience the value-based games developed by the Centre for Ethics. Joint discussions and excursions to the University of Tartu Library and museums will provide a deeper insight into Estonian culture.
 
Workshop schedule linked HERE.
Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Theda Rehbock Philosophy Residency at Susimetsa Philosophicum, Estonia!
Application deadline: October 5, 2026
 

Click here for more information.

Reportage: An account of the spring 2025 residency at Susimetsa Philosophicum, with residents Ozan Altinok (Leibniz University Hannover), Emily Daly (University of Oxford), Maja Mateas (University of Trier) and Jonas Pöld (University of Münster).

Read the full piece HERE.

Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock’s Susimetsa Philosophicum Residency Programmes

The aim of the residency programme is to offer a retreat from social obligations. The spacious villa, surrounded by a beautiful garden, private lake and sauna is at the resident’s disposal. Susimetsa offers both old-world charm and modern comfort. The peace, the beauty of nature and the cultural richness of books, art and music make Susimetsa the perfect place for a cultural retreat.

As Socrates already pointed out, philosophy is not only a theoretical discourse but a way of life that helps us to live a good life. Good life is a reflected life.

During the chosen residency period, the resident is welcome to live in the Susimetsa villa and enjoy activities such as reading, writing, contemplating, music-making, yoga, working, taking leisurely walks in the garden, relaxing in the sauna, swimming in the lake, and biking.

Susimetsa Philosophicum welcomes guests from all over the world to contemplate life and find inspiration!

Philosophy Colloquium at the University of Tartu

The Susimetsa residents will have the opportunity to present their research findings at the University of Tartu's Philosophy Colloquium. The colloquium is organized by the University of Tartu's Department of Philosophy, the Centre for Ethics, Susimetsa Philosophicum, and the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (EXAI).
 
Some lectures will also be available on Zoom.
 
More information: 
University of Tartu (Photo credit: Ragnar Vutt)

Awarded residencies

How to Apply for Residency

There are two types of residency available:

Susimetsa Philosophicum welcomes applicants from all over the world who want to come to Susimetsa to practice philosophy as a way of life and dedicate their time to crafting a philosophical paper or advancing work on a book.

Our preference is inclined towards applicants interested in delving into Theda Rehbock’s works and manuscripts, or those engaged in research related to her areas of focus. These areas encompass a wide range of philosophical themes, including philosophy as a way of life, moral autonomy, human dignity, paternalism, doctor-patient relationships, respecting the will of mentally ill persons, living will and advanced directive for medical decisions; the pursuit of good life and death, theory of emotions, human nature, education, language and ethics, the philosophical critique of the world-view of natural sciences; Goethe’s theory of colours.

The scholarship covers all costs regarding residency at the Susimetsa villa. Residents are responsible for their own transportation and food during the residency. Please be aware that this residency is intended for residents only and does not include provisions for extra guests. If you plan to bring any additional individuals or pets, an extra fee will be applicable.

The applicant has the freedom to choose the time and duration of the residency, which can be anywhere between 1 to 4 weeks from November to April. We are also open to group applications.

To apply, submit your project description (3 pages) and your academic CV by October 5th to the following email address: info@susimetsa.ee

Self-funded residents are welcome to Susimetsa to enjoy solitude, uninterrupted time, and inspiring rural landscape, while completing research and writing projects in their particular areas of expertise and special interest.

The self-funded residency is available for both individuals and small groups, and we welcome applications from everyone. Additionally, we offer the option to organize writing retreats. The pricing varies based on the number of participants and the season. Please refer to our price list for more details.

To apply for the self-funded residency, please fill in this application form and send it to info@susimetsa.ee

Call for Proposals for Theda Rehbock’s Philosophy Residency in Susimetsa, Estonia

The call for proposals for 2026–2027 is now open!

We invite philosophers from around the world to apply for the 2026–2027 Theda Rehbock Philosophy Residency at Susimetsa Philosophicum.

Application deadline: October 5, 2026
Residency length: 2–3 weeks

The residency offers philosophers dedicated time and space for concentrated reading, thinking and writing. It is intended for scholars wishing to make substantial progress on a philosophical article, book manuscript or other research project, free from everyday academic and social obligations.

There is no required teaching or public programme. Residents are free to organise their time according to the needs of their own work, while those who wish may exchange ideas with other residents and connect with philosophers at the University of Tartu.

We welcome applications from philosophers in all fields and particularly encourage projects related to moral philosophy, aesthetics, medical ethics, bioethics, the history of philosophy, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and technology, AI ethics, and philosophy of education.

Residency periods

Applicants may choose a stay of 2–3 weeks within one of the following residency periods:

  • November 1 – November 22, 2026
  • November 29 – December 13, 2026
  • January 9 – January 30, 2027
  • January 31 – February 21, 2027
  • February 28 – March 20, 2027
  • April 4 – April 25, 2027
  • October 29 – November 19, 2027
  • November 20 – December 11, 2027

Applicants are welcome to indicate more than one possible set of dates. Final residency dates will be agreed according to availability.

*Self-funded stays may also be arranged outside the designated Theda Rehbock Philosophy Residency periods.

About Susimetsa Philosophicum

Susimetsa was the home of the German philosopher and medical ethicist Theda Rehbock (1957–2021). The residency offers scholars an opportunity to work in the place where she lived, read and wrote.

Today, Susimetsa is managed by the non-profit organisation Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock’s Susimetsa Philosophicum, established to continue her intellectual legacy and to offer philosophers a place for concentrated thinking, reading, writing and exchange.

Residents are encouraged to use their time according to the needs of their own work. At the same time, those who wish may enjoy the company of other residents, exchange ideas and discuss topics of mutual interest, share meals or spend some of their free time together. Such interaction is entirely informal and voluntary.

Residents are also welcome to make contact with colleagues at the Centre for Ethics and the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics at the University of Tartu. https://filsem.ut.ee/en

Those who are interested may indicate their willingness to give a talk or seminar at the University of Tartu during their stay. Such academic exchange is warmly welcomed where possible, but opportunities depend on mutual interest and availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Group applications are also welcome, especially from scholars working on a joint project. For group residencies, accommodation is arranged for the group as a whole, and the applicable house rates listed below apply.

Accommodation

Standard Residency Room — free of charge

The residency provides free accommodation in a private single room with a writing desk, with access to shared bathroom, kitchen, dining and living areas in the main villa.
 
There is no accommodation fee for the Standard Residency Room. Residents pay only the one-time final cleaning fee of €100.
 
The standard room is intended for one resident only.
 
Residents who would like greater privacy, space or comfort may choose one of the following optional accommodation upgrades, subject to availability:
 

1) Theda Rehbock Scholar’s Suite — €30/night for one person; €50/night for two persons (including 24% VAT)

The entire upper floor of the main villa is reserved for private use and offers particularly spacious conditions for concentrated scholarly work.

It includes:

  • a large and elegant bedroom with a king-size bed and private balcony
  • a spacious study overlooking the garden and surrounding nature
  • a large writing desk, monitor and printer
  • Theda Rehbock’s personal philosophy library, available for reading and research
  • a sofa bed and a second balcony
  • a large private bathroom with shower, whirlpool bath, washing machine and dryer

The kitchen, dining room and living room on the ground floor are shared with other residents.

2) Philosopher’s Cottage — €30/night for one person; €50/night for two persons (including 24% VAT)

A private, self-contained retreat for reading, writing and quiet reflection.

The cottage includes:

  • one separate bedroom
  • a sleeping loft
  • a cosy living and writing room with a kitchenette
  • a private bathroom
  • a private terrace with a seating area
  • sauna and outdoor hot tub facilities

The Philosopher’s Cottage is especially suitable for residents who value complete privacy and an independent daily rhythm. It may also be reserved for two people staying or working together.

3) Entire Main Villa — €120/night (including 24% VAT)

The entire main villa may be reserved by residents seeking complete privacy or by a group working together.

The villa includes:

  • four bedrooms
  • two bathrooms
  • a separate guest toilet
  • a spacious living room
  • a dining room
  • a fully equipped kitchen
  • a balcony and a terrace with a seating area
  • sauna and outdoor hot tub facilities

Accompanying persons

An accompanying partner or family member may stay only by prior agreement and in accommodation suitable for more than one person.

Further practical information about accommodation, sauna and hot tub use, accompanying family members and house arrangements will be provided to selected residents.

Practical information

  • Bicycles are available for residents to use free of charge.

  • Cleaning fee: Residents cover their own travel and meals. A one-time final cleaning fee of €100 (including 24% VAT) applies to all stays, regardless of accommodation type or length of stay.

  • Security deposit: A €200 refundable security deposit is payable upon arrival and returned after departure, provided that the accommodation has been left in good condition.

How to apply

Please submit your application by October 5, 2026 to info@susimetsa.ee.

The application should include:

  • a combined motivation letter and project description of up to three pages, explaining what you intend to work on during the residency and why Susimetsa would provide a suitable setting for your project
  • your preferred residency dates and duration
  • an academic CV
  • an indication of whether you would be interested in giving a talk or seminar at the University of Tartu during your residency

Applicants interested in one of the accommodation upgrades may indicate their preference in the application. The choice of accommodation has no bearing on the evaluation of the academic application.

Selected residents will be asked to provide a short abstract of their project and a photo for the Susimetsa website.

Selection process

Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of representatives of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Tartu and Susimetsa Philosophicum.

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

  • the academic quality, clarity and feasibility of the proposed project
  • the applicant’s motivation and the persuasiveness of the reasons for wishing to work at Susimetsa
  • the project’s fit with the aims and character of the Theda Rehbock Philosophy Residency
  • the applicant’s ability to benefit from the intellectual resources available at Susimetsa, including, where relevant, the ability to make use of its German- and English-language philosophy library

Applicants will normally be informed of the outcome within one month of the application deadline.

Self-funded residencies, workshops and writing retreats

Susimetsa also welcomes researchers, academics, writers, artists and other professionals looking for a quiet place for concentrated work, reading, writing and reflection, both during periods not allocated to Theda Rehbock Philosophy Residency fellows and at other times of the year.

Guests coming for a self-funded residency or writing retreat are eligible for special reduced accommodation rates for longer stays, subject to availability.

We also welcome enquiries from individuals, research groups and academic teams wishing to organise small workshops, seminars, writing retreats or research retreats at Susimetsa on a self-funded basis. Accommodation, working spaces and other arrangements can be tailored to the needs of the group.

More information: https://susimetsa.ee/book-your-stay

For workshops, seminars and group retreats: https://susimetsa.ee/events

We look forward to welcoming philosophers to Susimetsa for time to think, read, write and develop new ideas.

Warm regards,
Prof. Margit Sutrop
Board Member
Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock’s Susimetsa Philosophicum

2025 Theda Rehbock Philosophy Residency

Call for applications is now closed!
The deadline for applying for the philosophy residency (1-4 weeks) was October 5th, 2025.

Residency Periods:

  • November 5 – December 12, 2025
  • January 12 – April 24, 2026

We warmly invite philosophers from around the world to apply for a unique residency at Susimetsa Philosophicum, located near Pärnu, Estonia. This retreat offers dedicated time and space to work on a philosophical paper or book manuscript in a peaceful and inspiring setting—the villa once owned by German philosopher and bioethicist Theda Rehbock (1957–2021).

Now managed by the non-profit organization Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock’s Susimetsa Philosophicum, the villa also offers residents the opportunity to connect with the Centre for Ethics and the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics at the University of Tartu.

We especially welcome applications from those interested in Theda Rehbock’s writings or unpublished manuscripts (Nachlass), or whose research aligns with her philosophical interests, including:

  • Philosophy as a way of life
  • Moral autonomy and human dignity
  • Paternalism and doctor–patient relationships
  • Respecting the will of mentally ill persons
  • Advance directives for healthcare and good death
  • The pursuit of a good life and happiness
  • Emotions, human nature
  • Language and ethics
  • Education
  • Philosophical critique of the worldview of the natural sciences
  • Goethe’s theory of colours

This residency is designed as a retreat from social obligations, offering ideal conditions for deep thinking, reading, and writing. The property includes a spacious villa, a small garden house, and a sauna house. Residents may choose to stay in the garden house or share the villa with other residents. Surrounded by forests and close to the Baltic Sea, Susimetsa offers an inspiring environment for reading, writing, and reflection.

You may choose your own dates and duration—from 1 to 4 weeks—within the designated residency periods. Group applications (up to 4 people) are also welcome. You may also indicate if you’re open to sharing the house with other residents.

Costs

The residency stipend covers your housing. As a resident, you’ll only need to cover:

  • Your own travel and meals
  • A one-time cleaning fee at check-out (€100 + 24% VAT)
  • Any additional fees if you plan to bring a guest or a pet

Additional Information

  • The nearest supermarket is 5 km away; the closest café-bakery is 1.7 km.
  • Susimetsa is located 16 km from Pärnu, 142 km from Tallinn, 162 km from Tartu, and 178 km from Riga.

How to Apply?

Please submit the following documents by October 5th, 2025, to info@susimetsa.ee:

  • A combined motivation letter and project description (up to 3 pages), including your preferred residency dates
  • An academic CV

P.S. Self-funded residencies are available year-round: https://susimetsa.ee/book-your-stay
We also host small workshops and seminars: https://susimetsa.ee/events

Warm regards,
Prof. Margit Sutrop
Board Member, Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock’s Susimetsa Philosophicum