With the revival of Ad Astra, we are delighted to once again bring this student journal to you; reopening a space for creativity, and critical reflection. This new edition showcases the depth and diversity of student thought at UCR.The articles featured in this issue have been carefully selected by the editorial board for their intellectual ambition, originality, and engagement with pressing questions across disciplines. From philosophical explorations of free will, identity, and transness, to interdisciplinary analyses of language, law, and education, and from reflections on global conflict and peacebuilding to studies grounded in lived experience, this collection speaks to both the breadth and relevance of student scholarship.Together, the contributions reflect our culture of inquiry and a willingness to engage deeply with the complexities of our world. We hope this edition of Ad Astra inspires readers to explore, to question, and to continue the conversations these pieces so thoughtfully begin.Prof. Dr. Gerda Andringa, Dean of University College Roosevelt