Happy holidays and a healthy, peaceful 2026!

^{“We are responsible for the stories we tell; they can change the world”
– Donna Haraway}

The year 2025 has once again shown us that research, the arts, and scholarship suffer when freedom, democracy and the rule of law are undermined. Authoritarian tendencies threaten academic and artistic freedom in many societies.At HIAS, discussions on academic freedom with our fellows, their cooperation partners, and many other scholars have considerably contributed to making HIAS a place that provides not only precious time for research and cultural practice but also offers a secure space for the interplay of new ideas, interdisciplinary exchange and cooperation.Freedom is only one side of the coin; responsibility is the other. In times of war, multiple crises and global disruption, the expertise of scholars and the public outreach of academia are needed more than ever. So let us take responsibility for the scientific stories we tell and have confidence in our ability to contribute to a better world!

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your support and commitment. You strengthen the HIAS community. May the new year bring us all confidence and peace.

Happy holidays and a healthy, peaceful 2026!