Annual reviews try to capture something that is constantly in motion. Each day, scientists and researchers, students, as well as technical and administrative staff at Goethe University work at helping us ensure both our high level of teaching, learning, and research, and that the knowledge we create is transferred to society. These efforts crystallize time and again: in research successes, special funding awards, and honors. More importantly: They do so not just once a year.

Manchmal akkumuliert sich diese Arbeit auch zu Gebilden, die mehr sind als einzelne Kristalle. Zum Beispiel zum 2023 verabschiedeten neuen Leitbild „Lehre und Studium“. Wie dieses im produktiven Diskurs aller Statusgruppen über das Jahr hin ausgehandelt und zu einem spezifischen Goethe-Uni-Leitbild entwickelt wurde, „das ist etwas, das ich so wie an der Goethe-Universität noch nie vorher erlebt habe“, sagt meine Kollegin Christiane Thompson im Interview, zu lesen in der Rubrik Teaching & Studies.

Throughout 2023, our researchers, academic advisors, and students also contributed to another process that resulted in success in March 2024, when Goethe University once again received its “system accreditation”. This means our university can continue to decide independently which new degree programs to introduce, which to further develop, and how to certify the quality of our degree programs. Put differently: It allows us to create our own future-oriented studies for those seeking to obtain their degrees at Goethe University.

We hope you find further inspiration in our review, which in many respects is also a preview – the river, does, after all, flow ever onward.

Enjoy reading, watching, and listening.

Yours,

Prof. Enrico Schleiff
— President Goethe University Frankfurt