Uku Kangur

Uku Kangur

Estonian, European, Computer Scientist, Politics enthusiast

Hi, I'm Uku Kangur. I'm a computer scientist researching the multifaceted issue of misinformation on social media platforms. My focus is on understanding how false information originates, spreads, and can be mitigated, with the ultimate goal of fostering a more trustworthy digital landscape.

Currently, I am a PhD student at the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science in the Computational Social Science Group and working under the supervision of Rajesh Sharma.

Work Experience

Junior Researcher

University of Tartu, Institute of Computer Science
September 2023 - ...

Responsibilities:

  • Conducting research in the domain of misinformation and hate speech on social media
  • Supervising and teaching classes in business data analytics and network science

    • AI Development Internship

    European Commission (DG FISMA)
    March 2023 - July 2023

    Responsibilities:

  • Developed functionality for DG FISMA's existing applications that makes use of AI algorithms to improve the user experience of the systems
  • Developed algorithms capable of reading vast amounts of texts and extracting keywords or tags that describe the topics described in the text

    • Industry Collaboration Coordinator

    University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science
    June 2021 - June 2022

    Responsibilities:

  • Coordinated communication and project planning for incoming R&D projects with enterprises

    • Mathematics Teacher

    Tartu Herbert Masing School
    September 2020 - September 2021

    Responsibilities:

  • Taught primary and secondary school mathematics as part of the Estonian mandatory civil service

    • Innovation Centre Manager

    SEB Bank
    February 2020 - June 2021

    Responsibilities:

  • Coordinated Baltic scientific cooperation, mainly with the University of Tartu
  • Developed Talents Program and iAcademy in partnership with the University of Tartu

    • Education

    Doctor of Philosophy - Computer Science

    University of Tartu

    September 2023 - Present

    Specialization: Computational Social Science

    Thesis supervisors: Rajesh Sharma

    Bachelor of Arts - European Studies (unfinished due to starting PhD)

    KU Leuven

    September 2022 - July 2023

    Specialization: Transnational Law and Politics

    Master of Science - Computer Science

    University of Tartu

    September 2020 - June 2022

    Specialization: Theoretical Computer Science (Quantum Computing)

    Thesis supervisors: Javier Gil Vidal, Dirk Oliver Theis

    Bachelor of Science - Computer Science

    University of Tartu

    September 2017 - June 2020

    Specialization: Theoretical Computer Science (Coding theory)

    Minor: Economics

    Thesis supervisors: Vitaly Skachek, Boris Kudryashov, Irina Bocharova

    Projects

    QEC

    Quantum error correction Software for finding suitable logical Z and X gates given a set of commuting Pauli generators.

    Technologies: Python

    LDPCGaussian

    Optimized version of Gaussian elimination meant for solving LDPC codes.

    Technologies: Java

    CText

    Simple text editor C++ project.

    Technologies: C++

    Personal Portfolio Page

    Personal portfolio page

    Technologies: JavaScript, HTML, CSS