On 28 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the highest recognition, the University of Tartu Grand Medal, to Miia Rannikmäe, Professor of Science Education. She has been working at the University of Tartu since 1975. In 2008, she was elected the Professor of Science Education. In 2013, she became the Head of the Centre for Science Education. She has led many international research projects and projects funded by the Estonian Research Council, worked as a Fulbright Scholar in the USA, and is a member of the steering committees of international professional organisations. In 2015, Rannikmäe was elected the honorary doctor of the University of Eastern Finland.
Professor Rannikmäe is head of the SciCar project.