Patrick Rössler is Erfurt's First "University Ambassador"

As a university ambassador, Patrick Rössler will be promoting Erfurt as a university location over the next two years. The idea for this position originated in the Municipal University and Student Advisory Board and was ultimately approved by the City Council. All members of the academic staff of Erfurt's five universities who are resident in Erfurt, have close ties to the city and have made a proven contribution to science, the development of the city or the strengthening of the university location were eligible to apply.

In his laudatory speech, Lord Mayor Andreas Horn left no doubt that Professor Patrick Rössler is such a person: Not only does he have "impressive academic expertise", but he has also promoted the Erfurt model of communication science with innovative teaching formats, sought cooperation with colleagues from other universities and had an impact on the city with various projects. "His work is widely recognised and appreciated in the city's society," explained the Lord Mayor.

Rössler was grateful for the opportunity to present Erfurt as a cosmopolitan and vibrant university location. However, he also had words of warning about the "elephant in the room". With a view to the rise in right-wing extremism, which also comes with hostility towards science, he declared: "We must act." After all, a free academic world, dialogue and cooperation are crucial for the future of Erfurt as a university city. At the same time, Rössler emphasised the importance of high-quality public service media. He reiterated: "We don't have time to wait until the storm has passed. (...) We must act."