Dear Friends of the Hertie School,

The summer months are sometimes called the “silly season” in the news world, referring to a slower news cycle with sillier headlines to grab readers’ attention while many are off on holiday. However, as we look at our digital devices now, we seem to be confronted with a never-ending stream of alarming news: heatwaves across Europe, the ongoing war in Ukraine, rising inflation and a looming energy and food crisis remind us that we have serious issues to solve.

Research can help us not only to better understand and tackle real world challenges, but also to improve the way we absorb and process an often overwhelming plethora of information. With this in mind, let me highlight both our latest research piece about Europe’s energy crisis from our colleagues at the Centre for Sustainability, as well as the fascinating contribution of one of our postdoctoral researchers to this year’s Global Happiness and Well-being Policy Report about the future of digital well-being. 

I am also pleased to present to you this year’s winners of the first-ever Henrik Enderlein Prize, which recognises outstanding research on the future of Europe. Furthermore, get to know the student-led Hertie School Pride Network, who have been gearing up for the Christopher Street Day parade, the culmination of Pride Month in Berlin.

See you again in September at the start of our new academic year.

With all best wishes,

Prof. Cornelia Woll

President

Hertie School