A year of change is closing – with new faces, completed projects, and many encounters with the public. Now the group takes a short break to return in 2026 with fresh energy for research, teaching, and lively academic exchange.
The past year brought noticeable transitions, and the year ahead already promises to be just as dynamic. We welcomed new members into the team while also saying farewell to valued colleagues. Along the way, we launched new projects, advanced ongoing work, and successfully closed others. These changes shaped our daily routines, but they also opened new perspectives on what we want to explore next.
Beyond the lab and office, the group remained visible throughout the year. We presented our work at numerous events, shared project results with diverse audiences, and contributed to scientific progress in our field. Many conversations with research-minded visitors, students, and prospective applicants showed how strong the interest is in hands-on research and modern teaching at Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena. It is particularly encouraging when complex topics spark curiosity and lead to questions that continue well after a presentation ends.
As the year comes to a close, we allow ourselves a brief pause. The coming days offer an opportunity to breathe, gain distance from everyday demands, and reset before the new year begins. Soon, we will return to lectures, experiments, discussions, and all the small and large tasks that keep university life moving.
Universities are places for thinking, questioning, and trying things out. Christmas, by contrast, is often associated with reflection, memory, and continuity. Both belong together. Progress needs moments of stillness, and new ideas grow stronger when they are grounded in what has proven valuable.
We wish all readers and their families a peaceful Christmas season, restorative days, and a strong start into the new year. May 2026 create room for new ideas, successful collaboration, and joy in shared research and teaching with renewed energy and curiosity for what lies ahead.
