Alumni Magazine 2023

1 Table of Content Foreword by the Rector _____________________________________________________________ 2 “That time of my life was extraordinary” Interview with Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg, Professor of Economics at Yale University and former Chief Economist at the World Bank _________________________________________ 4 Renewed research profile As part of its overall strategy process “University of Freiburg 2030”, the University of Freiburg has also further developed its research profile __________________ 8 “The best advice I can give you is to start a conversation with someone” Interview with Joachim Frank, Professor at Columbia University and Nobel laureate 2017 in Chemistry _________________________________________________ 12 Quality. Responsibility. Openness. The University of Freiburg has renewed its mission statement ___________________________ 16 Impressions 2023 A selection of pictures of special moments over the past year ___________________________ 18 Booster Association Alumni Freiburg e. V. The elected board _________________________________________________________________ 20 Imprint ___________________________________________________________________________ 21

2 Foreword by the Rector Prof. Dr Kerstin Krieglstein, Rector at the University of Freiburg Photo: Sandra Meyndt Dear Readers, How do we want to live? How do we want to work? How do we want to interact with each other? How can we build on our strengths as a university and deve- lop others – how can we best fulfil our role in society? Who can contribute what and how? We are currently working on these and many other questions toge- ther at the University of Freiburg with our overall strategy process “University of Freiburg 2030.” We are striving to be one of the most innovative and attracti- ve universities in the centre of Europe. A cosmopolitan place where all mem- bers enjoy researching, studying, teaching and working. As a broadly networ- ked and strong community, we want to fulfil our responsibility for people, the environment, society and the future in our daily activities – and with all of this, we also want to contribute to the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments. In 2023, we will have reached two milestones in this overall strategy process: the further development of our research profile and the renewal of our mission statement. You can gain an insight into both in the current alumni magazine. With regard to the research profile (page 8), we have further honed the three focal points “Cultures and Societies in Space and Time,” “Pathways to Sustaina- bility” and “Signals of Life.” Each faculty is involved in at least one of these areas. The three interdisciplinary focus areas are complemented by outstan- ding disciplinary research, for example in the field of particle physics and quantum research. The University‘s renewed mission statement (page 16) centres on the three values of quality, responsibility and openness as points of reference for our common thinking and actions. Our two interview partners in this year’s alumni magazine also stand for absolutely cutting-edge research and social responsibility: Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg, Professor of Economics at Yale University and former Chief Econo- mist at the World Bank, and Joachim Frank, 2017 Nobel Prize winner in Chemis- try and Professor of Biophysics at Columbia University in New York. Both studied at the University of Freiburg. In their interviews (page 4 and page 12), Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

4 Prof. Dr Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg during her speech at the Dies Universitatis 2023 at the University of Freiburg. Photo: Jürgen Gocke “That time of my life was extraordinary” Pinelopi “Penny” Koujianou Goldberg is Professor of Economics at Yale University and former Chief Economist at the World Bank. Her research there included income distribution and poverty reduction. Her most recent work focusses on the resurgence of protectionism in the USA, trade, poverty and inequality as well as discrimination against women in developing countries. Goldberg studied economics at the University of Freiburg from 1981 to 1986. During this time, she lived in the student housing complex “StuSi” and in Eschholzstraße. Ms Goldberg, why did you decide to study at the University of Freiburg? Penny Goldberg: It all started with my decision to study in Germany. For people who grow up in a small country like Greece, it is important to know a foreign language and to be exposed to a different culture. So my two sisters and I all ended up at the German high school in Athens, where half of the subjects were taught in German and the other half in Greek. My parents actually had nothing to do with Germany and didn’t speak German themsel- ves. But they were engineers and admired German technology. In addition, my father admired German culture and regarded Germany as the land of great philosophers, composers and, more recently, great engineers. After school, I got a scholarship. All I had to do was choose a German university. Freiburg had a very good reputation for economics and was associated with the name Friedrich von Hayek. I also knew that Freiburg was a very beautiful city and I wanted to live and study in a beautiful place. Last but not least, my parents had friends there. So the decision became clear pretty quickly. Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

55 What advice would you give students today? That‘s a good question. I really benefited from getting to know other cultures in Freiburg. Although Germany and Greece are both in Europe, there were still big differences between the countries, especial- ly back then. My fellow students also came from different parts of Germany, so I was able to learn about the differences between southern Germany and northern Germany for example. My friends were studying history, medicine or economics, they had different socio-economic backgrounds and very different interests. Finally, there were also people from other countries, even if there were only very few at that time. These experiences were incredibly valuable to me. So my advice is: take advantage of the diversity to which you are exposed at a universi- ty! This doesn‘t mean that you necessarily have to How did your time in Freiburg influence your career? I received a very good education in Freiburg. At that time, economics in Germany looked very different from economics in the US. So most people wouldn‘t have thought that studying in Germany would be good preparation for studying in the United States. But I have to say that with my education in Freiburg, I was admitted to many top universities in the US. Once I was there, I had an easy time in graduate courses. Professionally, I benefi tted from having a broader view of the world, from knowing other ways of thinking. There are many good people in my fi eld, but I was always good at seeing the big picture. I think this is also due to the way I grew up - and the way I was educated in Freiburg. It‘s diffi cult to be successful in economics if you‘re not interested in how politics and “Take advantage of the diversity to which you are exposed at a university!” accept other views, but it is valuable to engage with them and have an open mind, especially in this day and age. I would also like to emphasise a second point: I was a good student back then, and most of the people in my study group were too. But when we met, we didn’t just talk about class material. We also talked about the world and explored our own questions. We read the great works of people such as Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Keynes ... We weren’t overly fixated on the textbook for the coming year, getting good grades or even a good job later. In the US at least, students today are often very stressed about their future careers, and I completely unders- tand that. But on the other hand, these years are a unique time where you can actually pursue your own interests and there are relatively few demands on your time. That’s why I often tell my students not to stress too much. society work, and do not have a more general liberal arts education. My theatre group in Freiburg was particularly important in that regard. We didn‘t put on plays ourselves, but we travelled around the country and Switzerland to see some of the best avant-garde theatre. The group was primarily aimed at foreign students so that they could familiarise ourselves with German-speaking culture. From Freiburg, for example, we travelled by train to Zurich or Basel. Before we went to the theatre, we sometimes visited interesting exhibitions, and after the theatre we had dinner in the city and didn‘t come back until late at night. Someti- mes we also went on longer excursions. For example, we travelled to Cologne for two or three days. That was really great, also because we got to know a lot of other people. Most of them were students from other European countries, but some came from the US and Germany. I am still grateful to this day that I did those things.

6 What was your favourite place to study in Freiburg? Oh, definitely the library, although it wasn’t as nice back then as it is today. Sometimes I studied alone, but we also met as a study group. Afterwards, we would go to the cafeteria or cook something together. Which contacts did you find to be most valuable? In terms of my development, I would say most definitely my family in Greece, my classmates and my study group in Freiburg. As I’ve already said, we had long conversations that went far beyond the subject matter. In Germany, alumni networks are usually not as strong as in the United States, which “Professionally, I beneﬁtted from having a broader view of the world, from knowing other ways of thinking” When you think back to “Penny the student,” what is your best memory? I think it was our theatre group. But I have a lot of really nice memories of this time, such as putting on dinner parties with my friends. We would cook together and talk until late into the night. That time of my life was extraordinary because I had the luxury of eating dinner until midnight or one in the morning and then hopping on my bike to ride back home. is why I didn’t have any contact with my fellow students from Germany until recently. Recently, however, we all met up again and we now have more time than we did after our studies. Professio- nally, I was able to make the most valuable con- tacts when I accepted university positions, first at Princeton, then at Yale and also a bit at Columbia. There is a relatively small, but strong, network of economists living in the United States. Professio- nally, these contacts have proven to be the most The former University Library of the University of Freiburg with a view of the bridge access. Photo: Peter Mesenholl Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

valuable, but when it comes to who has shaped my thinking, I would definitely mention the time before that, and definitely all my professors from Freiburg to Stanford. “I therefore hope above all that Freiburg main- tains and further expands its out- standing quality in teaching and research” 7 How do you view the University of Freiburg in the year 2030? What kind of future do you envision for it? I see universities as institutions of learning. I there- fore hope above all that Freiburg maintains and further expands its outstanding quality in teaching and research. The University already has a worldwi- de reputation in the natural sciences, especially in biology, and the social sciences are also becoming increasingly strong. It would be great to maintain and further develop the existing strengths. At the same time, I think Freiburg can benefit from its unique location. Although it is a small city that is not so easy to reach by plane, it is located right between three countries, which makes it international and attractive for many students. I would also like University of Freiburg, like all universities, to be a place where innovations and new ideas are develo- ped, promoted and tried out - but where the values that form the foundation of our society, such as the freedom, including freedom of expression, demo- cracy, tolerance, respect for others, and inclusion, are upheld. I think it is more important than ever for universities to be beacons that demonstrate what a civil society is all about. The interview was conducted by Sonja Jost, Head of Relationship Management and Alumni Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg’s book rg’s book recommendations Claudia Goldin: Career and Family Melissa Kearney: The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind Pinelopi Goldberg (with Greg Larson): The Unequal Effects of Globalization Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg’s favourite place in New York City e place i oujiano ark. Over my lifetime, I have s “What‘s in short supply in New York City is ort supply in New York City is green space. That’s why I really like Central green space. That’s why I really like C Park. Over my lifetime, I have spent a lot of time there. When I fi rst came to New York, time there. When I fi rst came to N later with my kids, now with my dog. I lik y kids, now with my dog. I like walking through the park and then going to gh the park and then going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to visit just litan M y at a tim one gallery at a time – otherwise one might easily be overwhelmed by the size of the verwhelm museum. And after that I usually walk back home through the park.” . And after th rough the park

8 Renewed research proﬁle As part of its overall strategy process “University of Freiburg 2030,” the University of Freiburg has also further developed its research profile – and thus further sharpened the focus areas “Cultures and Societies in Space and Time”, “Pathways to Sustainability” and “Signals of Life.” By virtue of its broad spectrum of disciplines, the University of Freiburg offers ideal conditions for outstanding research at its eleven faculties and central research institutions. Existing partnerships with non-university research institutes such as Freiburg’s Max Planck Institutes and Fraunhofer Institutes as well as regional companies provide another basis for many successful cooperation projects. On this basis, University of Freiburg’s researchers conduct excellent, internationally visible interdis- ciplinary collaborative research in the three key research areas Cultures and Societies in Space and Time, Pathways to Sustainability and Signals of Life. Research in these three key research areas is complemented by outstanding disciplinary re- search, for example in the field of quantum science and particle physics, such as the Cluster of Excel- lence initiative PARTICLES – Breaking New Ground in Particle Physics with Innovative Technologies and Novel Experiments. Photo: Jürgen Gocke Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

9 The methods of data collection, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and digital humanities develo- ped and applied and the research in environmental humanities conducted in this key research area forge links to the natural and engineering sciences and are therefore connected to the key research area ‘Pathways to Sustainability’. A wide variety of perspectives as well as small and large disciplines are the prerequisite for this productive networking, which we understand as a strength and a driver of innovation. The research strength of the priority area is demon- strated, among other things, by one Collaborative Research Centre, two Research Training Groups, two ERC Grants, and top rankings in national comparison (literary studies – 2nd place, history – 7th place, philosophy – 10th place, linguistics and ancient cultures – both 13th place according to the DFG Research Atlas 2021). Cultures and Societies in Space and Time Three Research Fields • Societal Transformations and Adaptions • Transregional and Regional Studies • Media und Forms of Cultural Articulation The key research area ‘Cultures and Societies in Space and Time’ is based in particular on three research fields: Societal Transformations and Adaptations, Media and Forms of Cultural Articula- tion, and Transregional and Regional Studies. Researchers from the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences are working closely together in these three fields, using historical and contempora- ry approaches in individual and collaborative research to create knowledge that is relevant for understanding and overcoming problems and challenges of the present, and puts them in per- spective. Great importance is attached to globality, interconnectedness, and comparison in diachronic and synchronic perspectives. The focus is on history, political science, law, litera- ture, and empirical linguistics, on the examination of concepts of political, legal, social, and religious orientation, and on the analysis and reflection of the production and circulation of knowledge. The comparative perspective and the great interest in interdisciplinary cooperation enables successful collaborative research, for example in CRC 948 ‘Heroes, Heroizations, Heroisms’, in RTG 2571 ‘Empires’, and in thematically focused research centres.

1010 Pathways to Sustainability Three Research Fields • New Materials und Substances Intelligent Technologies • • Ecosystems and Socio- Ecological Systems of the Future The necessary transformation towards sustainability is fraught with a number of great technological, political, and societal challenges. The researchers in the key research area ‘Pathways to Sustainability’ are working on knowledge-based solutions to these challenges and are illuminating the contextual conditions for their implementation. The New Materials and Substances research field is shaped fundamentally by the work of the Cluster of Excellence ‘Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems’ (livMatS): Here, scientists are developing energy-autonomous materials systems with lifelike functions that are inspired by nature and capa- ble of adapting to changing environments. Another important element of this area is research into functio- nal and process optimization through, among other things, new nanomaterials and polymers as well as fundamental studies at the molecular level. In the Intelligent Technologies research field, scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent sensor technology to devise sustainable technical solutions. They aim to develop sustainable energy systems, for example in the production and use of green hydrogen and innovative battery systems, and promote environ- mentally friendly production processes of the circular economy. Through close cooperation with non-univer- sity research institutions on the one hand, particularly Freiburg’s five Fraunhofer institutes, and technology companies on the other, this research field covers the entire spectrum from basic research to industrial applications. The research field Ecosystems and Socio-Ecological Systems of the Future focuses on the protection of environmental foundations of life and the sustainable use of natural resources. The key question for the scientists is what future ecosystems will look like in the context of global change and how to ensure that ecosystem services can be provided and biological diversity preserved through adaptive management. One of the University of Freiburg’s unique selling points in this regard is that close cooperation between the humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, and medicine enables research into complex human- environment systems in all their breadth and diversity. At the same time, various humanities disciplines are testing new avenues of cooperation with the natural and environmental sciences within the framework of the ‘Environmental Humanities’ network, thus forging a link to the key research area ‘Cultures and Societies in Space and Time’. Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

1111 issues. The scientists in this research field investigate fundamental questions: How do cells respond to environmental conditions? And how do cells communi- cate, whether in human, animals, or plants? The research field Development and Cure of Diseases uses approaches from immunology, cancer research, and epigenetics as a basis for understanding pathologi- cal immune responses, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Due to the traditionally strong cooperation with biologi- cal research, new findings from signalling research on these questions are constantly being incorporated into research in this field. Interdisciplinary centres like the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF) or the Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI) provide the basis for the clinical research infrastructure. This allows to transfer the results of the research approaches to innovative diagnostics as well as the treatment of patients. In the research field Brain and Intelligence, the neuro- sciences are closely interconnected with the enginee- ring sciences and study, among other things, human- machine interfaces in the field of neurotechnologies. The research centre BrainLinks-BrainTools and the Bernstein Center Freiburg offer scientists an optimal interdisciplinary research environment. As part of the European ELLIS network, researchers further develop artificial intelligence at the highest level. The research areas data science, modelling, and bioinformatics are an important part of the key re- search area “Signals of Life” and also contribute methodological expertise to the other two key research areas (“Cultures and Societies in Space and Time” and “Pathways to Sustainability”). Signals of Life Three Research Fields • Communication of Cells • Brain and Intelligence • Developement and Cure of Diseases Biological signals form the basis of life for all cells of an organism. A more precise understanding of these signals therefore provides solutions for many biological and medical challenges. Innovative research approa- ches enable a better understanding of complex life processes, open up pioneering therapeutic options, and and serve to significantly advance the development of the next generation of artificial intelligence. The key research area “Signals of Life” is based on three research fields that are firmly established at the University of Freiburg and visible both nationally and internationally. They bring together researchers from the life sciences, natural sciences, and engineering: The research field Communication of Cells, which is supported predominantly by the Cluster of Excellence CIBSS and the research centre BIOSS, pools top-level interdisciplinary competencies in biological signalling research with the aim of addressing current research

12 „The best advice I can give you is to start a conversation with someone“ Prof. Dr Joachim Frank and his wife Carol Saginaw Photo: Lars Svajaer Joachim Frank is a professor at Columbia University, where he rese- arches in the field of molecular biophysics. In 2017 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with Richard Henderson and Jacques Dubochet for his contributions to the development of cryo- electron microscopy of single molecules. Frank’s research contribu- ted significantly to the understanding of the structure and function of ribosomes. Frank studied physics at the University of Freiburg from 1960 to 1964. Affordable housing for students was already an issue back in the 1960s. Joachim Frank lived both in the city centre and outside the city. Mr Frank, why did you decide to study at the University of Freiburg? Joachim Frank: The German universities at that time were not so specialised. The main reason for my decision was that I wanted to get as far away as possible from my hometown of Siegen. I wanted to live and study in a beautiful place - and I had heard a lot about Freiburg as a romantic city. My personal horizon was very narrow at the time. What advice would you give students today? A lot of my career path has stemmed from serendi- pitous moments, so I’ve discovered and learnt a lot of valuable things that I wasn’t originally looking for. Life is full of all kinds of random events and develop- ments so it’s good to keep your eyes open and make the best of what happens. For example, if you do an experiment and it fails, then the experiment still contains a message of some kind. Or if you’re trying to solve a problem that you can’t get out of your mind, I find that even conversations about comple- tely unrelated topics can contribute to the solution because they provide metaphors that allow me to think about the problem in a different way. “On the gradual completion of thoughts during speech” is Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

the title of a very readable essay by Heinrich von Kleist, which also deals with this topic. So if you really want to solve a problem that you have been thinking about for a long time, the best advice I can give you is to start a conversation with someone. This can be anyone at all, even a non-expert. Such a conversation will help you think and formulate your thoughts. Where was your favourite place to study in Freiburg? I remember that in maths we were a kind of team of four people who always worked together. We often sat in our tiny flats and tried to prove something for the next term paper. I can‘t remember doing anyt- hing on my own anywhere - in my memory of that time, I‘m always doing something with other people. 1313 How did your time in Freiburg influence your career? During my time in Freiburg, I came into contact with exact research for the first time, with the whole idea of the scientific method. These experiences were definitely a foundation for my approach to science in general. But something else also happened during this time that would lead, indirectly, to my later interest in biology. I was nominated for the “German Academic Scholarship Foundation,” based solely on my exam results. At the time, Ludwig Genzel was my professor of experimental physics in Freiburg and he was responsible for my nomination for the foundation. Later, when I was in Munich, that brought me into contact with a whole circle of people. And they came from all kinds of disciplines, including biology, neuro- physiology and so on. That was my first contact with the life sciences. I was really fascinated by it back then and learnt a lot about it. One of my friendships that continues to this day was with Wolf Singer, the neurophysio- logist. Incidentally, the three of us who received the Nobel Prize in 2017 all have the same background: Richard Hender- son, Jacques Dubochet and I all started out in physics, worked in biology and received the prize for chemistry together in 2017. „A lot of my career path has stemmed from serendipitous moments“ View of the Department of Physics building. Joachim Frank studied the subject from 1960 bis 1964. Photo: Sebastian Bender

14 When you think back to “Joachim the student,” what is your best memory? I made a lot of trips to the Black Forest. And it was very important for me that I discovered the painter Paul Klee at that time. It was in a small bookshop where they had about 50 postcards of various of his works and I bought them all. I was very excited because I had discovered this artist for myself and stuck all the cards in an album. Since then, I have visited every single Paul Klee exhibition and bought many books about him. That’s why I associate Freiburg with Paul Klee, even though he actually comes from Bern. stood out right away. I spoke to him and told him that I got to where I am now thanks to his support. I had a really, really nice conversation with him. That was back in 1972. How do you view the University of Freiburg in the year 2030? What kind of future do you envision for it? I think the University of Freiburg is ahead of other universities when it comes to international relations. For example, the alumni associations abroad are relatively new for German universities, and the University of Freiburg has really encouraged that. I‘ve been approached and invited to several events „Interdisciplinary work could therefore become even more necessary“ Which contacts did you find to be most valuable? I mentioned Ludwig Genzel, my Freiburg professor of experimental physics, earlier. My time in Freiburg was a long time ago, but I still remember him well. And the funny thing is that I met him again later by chance. That was during my time as a postdoc at Cornell University. The Department of Applied Physics was having a happy hour on Friday in Clark Hall, with donuts and coffee and so on - and suddenly he was standing there. He was a very tall man, so he in New York City. Lately, I’ve really enjoyed speaking German again and getting back to my roots. The University of Freiburg’s international relationships with other institutions and its international network can help students broaden their horizons at an early stage of their careers. Also, my path of studying physics, working in biology and getting the prize in chemistry shows that the idea of traditional depart- ments is dissolving to some extent. Interdisciplinary work could therefore become even more necessary Joachim Frank made a lot of trips to the Black Forest Photo: Israel Fererra/unsplash Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

15 in the future than it already is today. I also think that interpersonal contact is particularly important for teaching and should remain the most important part of the degree programme. I remember from my days as a student that I was particularly impressed „I think that the University of Freiburg is ahead of other Universities when it comes to international relations“ Joachim Frank and Kerstin Krieglstein, Rector of the University of Freiburg, in New York at an Event of the Friends of Freiburg. Photo: Sonja Jost by these big spectacles. When you are trained as a physicist, you experience these big demonstrations in undergraduate courses on experimental physics. And that brings me back to Ludwig Genzel, my teacher in experimental physics. For example, he had an assistant climb into a Faraday cage that was charged with 10,000 volts. And I remember an experiment with a huge barrel filled with smoke. That was very exciting and impressive. The interview was conducted by Sonja Jost, Head of Relationship Management and Alumni Joachim Frank’s book recommendations Heinrich von Kleist: Über die allmähliche Verfertigung der Gedanken beim Reden, Gutenberg Projekt. Joachim Frank‘s thoughts on the topic: https://franxfiction.com/on-the-gradual-fa- brication-of-thoughts-during-speech/ Simon Winchester: Knowing what we know The Professor and the Madman Krakatoa Joachim Frank’s favourite place in New York City “I have so many favourite places, but there is this one place in particular in Central Park near the big fountain. When you walk down the staircase, you can see a huge panorama with a lake, boats, a boathouse and a large fountain. Wherever the eye wanders, you have so many interesting things to see. It is a panorama like no other. And it‘s always cheerful. Some people are blowing these gigantic bubbles. Weddings take place there. And sometimes a soprano quartet performs in this underpass.”

16 Quality. Responsibility. Openness. Quality, responsibility and Openness are the three core values for the mission statement in effect at the University of Freiburg since the sum- mer of 2023. Around 20 University members of all status groups hashed it out together as a group appointed by the University Senate. The text reads: “We link quality in studying and teaching, in research and all other areas of work with responsibility for science, the environment and society and with openness towards new questions, diversity and equal opportunities. We want to mea- sure what we do, who we are and everything we want to become against these values.” “As a university, we bring together very different people and groups with very different backgrounds, ideas and goals,” says Prof. Dr Sylvia Paletschek, Vice Rector for University Culture at the University of Freiburg. “This is both a huge opportunity and a great challenge. In order to shape the University in such a way that it does justice to this diversity and to create a basis on which we can research, teach, study and work together, it was important to the Rectorate to renew the University’s mission statement.” 20 university members from all status groups dedicated themselves to this task in a group appointed by the University Senate. The mission statement was published in summer 2023 and its core values are quality, responsibility, openness. Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

The mission statement is intended to provide guidan- ce, especially today, in times of enormous social and political upheaval. It is also intended to have an impact beyond the University. “Within the University, it enables us to reflect on what defines and characte- rises us, what goals we pursue and how we interact with one another. It also encourages us to take a critical look at the past, present and future of the University of Freiburg,” says Paletschek. The mission statement also acts as a key outward-facing signpost. It is intended to make the attractiveness of the University of Freiburg visible to prospective students and future employees while helping to position the University of Freiburg in the German and international higher education landscape. “As Vice Rector for University Culture, I was in charge of the process,” says Paletschek, “but we developed the mission statement together because university culture can never merely be shaped by one person, one department or one Vice-President’s Office alone. We all contribute to university culture and can bring it to life in our everyday lives as employees and stu- dents.” This principle also characterised the creation of the mission statement. In the working group, representatives of all status groups and different subject cultures contributed ideas, discussed them and sharpened the content and terms of the mission statement. Paletschek continues by saying, “I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone involved. We are all impressed by the result and we hope that the mission statement will have a far-reaching impact.” 17 Another new feature is the presentation of the mission statement in an agile online design. Terms are provided with additional information, and its interactive functi- ons invite users to help shape it. All University mem- bers can submit ideas for exemplary stories from and about the University. In this way, the mission statement is not intended to remain a static text, but to provide a framework in which the University can constantly reflect on its successes, challenges and values. It thus links the tradition and past of the University of Freiburg with its capacity for renewal and its future. New Mission Statement: Prof. Dr Sylvia Paletschek, Vice Rector for University Culture of the Univerisity of Freiburg, Photo: Thomas Kunz

Impressions 2023 191919 Opening of the academic Year 2023/24 with a celebratory lecture by Prof. Dr. Peter-André Alt Photo: Markus Schwerer Making top-level research on sustainability in the Upper Rhine region visible to all is the goal of the Eucor-MobiLab Roadshow. Photo: Patrick Seeger Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Andreas Voßkuhle (center) gave a lecture on the relevance of constitutional courts at the Alumni Club Berlin-Brandenburg, in Baden-Württemberg‘s State Representation in Berlin. With Prof. Dr Stefan Rensing (l.), Vice Rector for Innovation and Research, and Daniela Mast (r.), Relationship Management and Alumni Department. Photo: Julia Deimel The first Freiburg Alumni Day since the coronavirus pandemic took place in June 2023 - with around 130 visitors in Freiburg‘s Peterhofkeller. Photo: Jonas Schneider

20 Booster Association Alumni Freiburg e. V. Board of directors As a charitable organization, Alumni Freiburg e. V. wants to give you the chance to stay involved at “your university” even after you conclude your studies. Most of the more than 1500 members of the booster association Alumni Freiburg e.V. are former students and former employees. However, it also includes some current students and employees, our future alumni, who benefi t from the advantages offered by our network. The network of association members extends across the globe: Many countries have their own alumni clubs or individual alumni who serve as ambassadors for their alma mater. Besides networking between the university and its former students as well as among the alumni themselves, our association also has the goal of providing funding and support for the University of Freiburg. The booster association focuses on raising funds for students and student projects according to the principle “former students support current students.” The booster association elected a new board of directors at its general assembly meeting in May 2022. It is now composed of Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein, who chairs the association by virtue of her offi ce as rector of the University of Freiburg, as well as a deputy chair and a further board member elected from among the alumni. Prof. Dr Kerstin Krieglstein Chair The first female rector in the history of the University of Frei- burg took up office on 1 October 2020: Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein served previously, since 1 August 2018, as rector of the University of Konstanz. She studied chemistry and pharmacy, earned her docto- rate in pharmacology at the University of Marburg in 1990, and completed her habilitation qualifi- cation in anatomy and cell biology at the University of Heidelberg in 1997. After serving in professors- hips at the University of Göttingen and the University of Saarland, she accepted an offer for the Chair of Anatomy at the University of Freiburg. The Faculty of Medicine elected her as its first full-time dean in 2013. She held this office from 1 April 2014 until her move to Konstanz and was thus at the same time a member of the board of directors of the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. In addition, she has been a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina since 2007. Dr Christine D. Althauser Deputy chair Upon completion of her studies in the fields of political science, Slavic studies, and Sinology in Heidelberg, Dr. Christine D. Althauser lived in Taiwan to conduct various studies abroad and in the former Soviet Union on a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD. Later she comple- ted her doctorate with a disserta- tion on Russia’s path to the Council of Europe and took on a lectures- hip at the University of Freiburg’s Department of Political Science between 2005 and 2007. Dr. Christine D. Althauser is a member of the German Foreign Service, becoming ambassador of North Macedonia in 2014 and leading the German Consulate General in Shanghai until 2021. She has served as deputy chair in the board of directors of the booster association Alumni Freiburg e.V. since May 2022. Dr Eva Voß Further board member Dr. Eva Voß studied political science, history, and gender studies at the University of Freiburg and completed her doctorate in 2011. Her dissertation received the Austrian Johanna Dohnal Prize and the Freiburg Bertha Otten- stein Prize, among others. Her last position at the University of Freiburg was as director of the Offi ce of Gender & Diversity. Afterwards, she worked as director of diversity management at Bertelsmann S.E and for several years as team leader for New Ways of Working at EY (Ernst & Young). She has served since 2020 as head of diversity, inclusion, and people care at BNP Paribas Germany & Austria. Voß is a speaker and the author of several specialist books and informs profes- sionals about the most important trends and developments in diversity with her “Diversity Check” column in Human Resources Manager. She is deputy chair of the Charta der Vielfalt e.V. and a board member of the BNP Paribas Foundation. She has served as a member of the board of directors of the booster association Alumni Freiburg e. V. since May 2022. Photos (f.l.t.r.): Sandra Meyndt, privat, BNP Paribas www.alumni-foerdern.uni-freiburg.de Alumni Magazine of the University of Freiburg 2023/24

21 Impressum Alumni Magazine 2023/24 Publisher University of Freiburg, the Rector, Prof Dr Kerstin Krieglstein Responsible for the content Sonja Jost, Head of Relationship Management and Alumni Editors Maximilian Beyer, Thomas Goebel, Bastian Strauch Collaboration Christine Hohlbaum Address of the editorial office University and Science Communications University of Freiburg Fahnenbergplatz, 79085 Freiburg Tel. 0049 761/203-4229 E-mail: redaktion@zv.uni-freiburg.de Circulation 5,000 copies Photo front page Sandra Meyndt Graphic concept, design, production Jürgen Oschwald Printing and production Hofmann Druck, Emmendingen Distribution Relationship Management and Alumni This brochure was printed climate neutrally on 100 per cent recycled paper. The paper is certified with the „Blue Angel“ environmental label. © University of Freiburg. All rights reserved. Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the permission of the editors