This is an introductory article for the special issue of Acta Historica Tallinnensia on historical studies in Estonia in the first two decades of the twenty-first century. The main aim of the article is to provide a quantitative and descriptive overview of the development and organisation of Estonian historical research in the last decades. The article is divided into five main topics. First, the historical research is mapped from the perspective of researchers. An attempt is made to calculate the number of professional historians in Estonia, which is difficult both because of the lack of reliable statistical data and because of the difficulties in defining who can be considered a professional historian. However, it is proposed that there are up to 400 historians, widely defined, but less than a hundred who are actively engaged in research. In this context, the question of generation change is raised and examined on the basis of published Festschrifts. Then statistics about history students at Tartu and Tallinn Universities is provided over the last two decades and at three levels of study: BA, MA and PhD. The number of BA students in history has almost halved since 2012 as has the number of PhD students. Secondly, the institutional organisation of historical research is examined. As in the late Soviet period, historical studies have two main centres in Estonia: Tartu and Tallinn, more specifically the Institute of History and Archaeology at the University of Tartu and the Institute of History, Archaeology and Art History at Tallinn University. A new important research centre for contemporary history is the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory, established in 2008. Traditionally, historical archives have played a major role in historical research. By far the most important archival institution is the National Archives of Estonia (re-established in 1999, reorganised in 2012). Especially in the context of medieval and early modern studies, Tallinn City Archives should also be mentioned. The third main institutional pillar of historical research is formed by the museums. There are currently 180 museums in Estonia, with 244 places to visit, and within these, 49 history and archaeology museums. Finally, the role of academic libraries in historical research is briefly discussed. Next to institutions, various associations have important roles in the field of historical studies. The main organisation of historians is the Estonian Academic Society of History (re-established in 1999). But even more active and influential are the Estonian Association of Archivists (re-established in 1989) and the Estonian Museum Association (established in 1988). There are in total about ten historical societies or associations in Estonia, in various branches of historical studies (from art history and archaeology to military and church history). Thirdly, the financing of historical research is addressed, with a focus on competition-based funding. A new system of research grants was introduced in early 1990s, and since 2012 grant funding has been organised by the Estonian Research Council. The article offers a statistical overview of the research grants given in the fields of history, archaeology and art history over the last two decades, both in numbers and in monetary terms. While in terms of money the rise has been significant in the last decades, in terms of numbers there has been a decline of grants since the early 2010s. The most revealing number is the success rate of grant applications in the aforementioned three fields: up to 2015 the average success rate was about 20-30%, but during the last five years it has dropped to 6-14%, with a small rise in 2020. In other words, there has been a clear underfunding of historical research in the past five years, seriously undermining the sustainability of historical studies in Estonia. Fourthly, the main communication channels of historians in Estonia and their publishing practices are discussed. Since the turn of the century, there has been a boom in historical periodicals in Estonia. Three new history journals were established in late 1990s: Acta Historica Tallinnensia (1997), Tuna (1998) and Ajalooline Ajakiri (1998). In addition, many more specific periodicals were launched, including Eesti Arheoloogia Ajakiri (1997), Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia (1997), Kunstiteaduslikke Uurimusi (reorganised as a periodical in 2002), Forschungen zur baltischen Geschichte (2006), the Baltic Journal of Art History (2009). In addition, Estonian museums and archives are very active in the field of publishing. There are, for instance, about thirty regular series of yearbooks or proceedings, and also quite a few book series, published by various memory institutions. As to publishing practices, a statistical overview of the research output of historians (widely defined) in Tallinn and Tartu University is presented. Over the last twenty years, 155 monographic studies have been published (73% written in Estonian, 13% in English and 10% in German). Between 2000 and 2019, historians of both universities have published in total 2017 research papers (in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, corresponding to the categories of 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 3.1 of the Estonian Research Council). Forty-six percent of the articles were published in English, 37% in Estonian and 11% in German. Fifthly, and finally, some general trends in historical research in Estonia are briefly analysed. There has been a decline in agrarian history in this century, while urban and cultural history have become more popular than ever. A great number of general histories have been published in recent decades, including a major sixvol-ume History of Estonia, a six-volume Estonian Art History and a four-volume History of Tallinn. In terms of historical periods, there has been new interest in the early modern period, although contemporary history is clearly the dominant field of study. Somehow surprisingly, medieval studies have also gained new important ground. In PhD dissertations over the last two decades, 41% of the theses were dedicated to contemporary history, 19% to early modern history, 15% to pre-and ancient history, 13% to medieval history and 12% to modern history. The most important and long-term change in Estonian historical research is probably the `digital turn', i.e. the massive digitisation of historical documents and cultural heritage as well as the introduction of new digital research methods. It is highly probable that this trend will continue to shape prominently the landscape of historical studies in Estonia in the next two decades.
