Dear YERUN colleagues and friends,
Reflecting on 2024, I see a year shaped by exciting new directions, meaningful achievements, and inspiring connections.
Joining the University of Konstanz’s leadership team as Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Impact this April has been a true honour, bringing both new responsibilities and fresh inspiration. Under the leadership of our Rector, Prof. Katharina Holzinger, and together with Vice Rectors Prof. Isabell Otto (Diversity and Academic Staff Development), Prof. Rüdiger Wilhelmi (Teaching), and Prof. Christine Peter (Sustainability, Information and Communication Technology), we continue to build upon the remarkable achievements made so far while driving further development in all areas and remaining dedicated to creating an inclusive, forward-thinking and responsible academic environment that promotes innovation, progress and excellence in every regard. One of the most memorable moments of my new role was hosting the YERUN General Assembly in Konstanz this October. Engaging in this vibrant forum was a truly enriching experience, reinforcing my appreciation for the network’s pivotal role in shaping European academia. YERUN’s engagement in Brussels, its commitment to collaboration, and the exchange of ideas it fosters are more essential than ever in addressing the challenges we face.
We navigate an era of profound complexity, that demands bold and innovative solutions. Rapid technological advancements, rising societal demands, environmental degradation, and resource inequalities converge with intensifying crises in migration, energy, and climate, to name a few. These interconnected challenges fuel polarisation and global instability while underscoring the urgent need for systemic, evidence-based solutions. In this context, 2024 has also been a year of transition for Europe, too. The European Parliament elections signal some shifts in policy priorities, placing research and innovation at the forefront of discussions on Europe’s future prosperity and competitiveness. For networks like YERUN, this is a pivotal moment to help shape the agenda and align our priorities with these pressing needs.
At the University of Konstanz, transformation and innovation lie at the very core of our identity. As a reform university, we have always embraced change as an opportunity to rethink boundaries, challenge conventions and venture into uncharted territories. This spirit is equally embedded in our research priorities, which span today’s most intricate and complex research questions.
I have always been impressed by the remarkable breadth and depth of the research conducted here in Konstanz. In a world marked by instability and manifold crises, our research priorities and emerging fields offer critical frameworks to navigate and address complex challenges.
Rooted in curiosity-driven inquiry and integrating multi-disciplinary expertise, we explore questions that cannot be solved in isolation from each other. Instead, our work takes a systems-level approach as we investigate inequality and social cohesion, the cultural dynamics of social transformation, the driving forces behind collectives at all scales, and the implications of our data-driven societies – critically examining the intersection of people, technology and the data shaping our modern society. This allows us to address the root causes of observed phenomena and develop deep insights for tailored solutions that consider their broader, interconnected effects. For example, research into Politics of Inequality and Conflict Research examine how structural disparities influence governance, participation and peace-building, while our focus on biodiversity and global change assesses how ecosystems can adapt to human-induced pressures, providing valuable pathways for environmental resilience.
Equally, in fields like nano and materials science or molecular biology, our researchers push the boundaries of knowledge to understand fundamental processes that have transformative applications, from sustainable technologies to advancements in health and medicine.
In these turbulent times, the cross-disciplinary essence of our research ensures that we are not only addressing today’s urgent challenges but also preparing for those of tomorrow, fostering innovative approaches that generate meaningful impacts.
Our research also thrives within a closely interconnected ecosystem where all areas – whether teaching, international collaboration, or societal impact – synergistically interact with and enrich one another. These dynamic connections amplify the reach of our research, enabling it to have an effect both within individual academic fields and geographical regions and far beyond such traditional boundaries.
One example of this is the Politics of Inequality Excellence Cluster, where cutting-edge research not only addresses pressing societal challenges but also enriches teaching. This reciprocal flow of ideas equips students with critical insights while raising the quality of education. Due to the resulting synergies, our political science programme is one of the world’s leading programmes in this field.
Our dedication to research excellence also goes hand in hand with our engagement for inclusivity and openness. For example, between 2019 and 2022, 82.7% of all publications from the University of Konstanz were made openly accessible. Our decades-long commitment to freely accessible scientific publications as well as our wide range of advisory and support services have made the University of Konstanz a pioneer in Open Science within Germany.
Looking ahead to 2025, I am filled with determination and optimism. As the German Excellence Strategy moves into its next phase, the submission of our proposals in 2024 reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to advancing scientific excellence and innovation. These efforts reflect the dedication of our researchers and our readiness to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive landscape.
As we consider mid- and long-term political priorities, I am confident that our network is uniquely positioned to lead with bold vision and inspire others through its best practices. I eagerly look forward to the meaningful exchange at our next General Assembly in Rijeka.
To my colleagues in YERUN, thank you for your collaboration, your dedication and the vision we share. The 10th anniversary of YERUN in 2025 will be a milestone worth celebrating – a moment to reflect on a decade of impactful contributions to European higher education and to chart a bold and ambitious course for the future.
On behalf of the University of Konstanz and our leadership team, I wish you a year filled with inspiration, great achievements and much success!
Professor Dirk Leuffen, Vice-Rector for Research at University of Konstanz
