The international symposia of FOR2722 are designed not only to promote collaboration and share advancements within the research unit but also to communicate the achievements of FOR2722 to a wider audience and outline a vision for future developments in the research area. These symposia play a pivotal role in strengthening current collaborations and forging new ones, with the overarching objective of establishing the foundation for a new DFG research network that connects Cologne, Münster, and Frankfurt.