The purpose of the annual report is to elevate Boston University’s (BU's) reputation and ranking. The report for the fiscal year 2023 (July 2022-June 2023) covered happenings and progress through a thought-provoking print piece and companion website. While annual reports are often viewed in a “corporate” and “financial” sense, for us, the report is BU’s chance to have folks say “this is different.” It’s a piece that invites readers into our retrospective in a visually accessible way. This year’s report took on a unique year of transition. Dr. Brown had just announced that he was stepping down to return to teaching, and the search for our new president was in full swing. The team had to strike a balance between the stability of the university and the excitement of change and progress. To this end, the report highlighted stories such as the new Center for Data Sciences, the launch of Boston University Virtual, and the announcement of our new president elect, Melissa Gilliam.
From the Judges
The bite-sized stories and data margins are effective and reinforce the idea that research is a catalyst for change. The design and layout are energetic and engaging, but some of the colors used might not be ADA-compliant for readability. Overall, a very well-done annual report.
