Two researchers from Utrecht receive top Dutch science awards
Researchers Ingrid Robeyns and Thijn Brummelkamp have been awarded the Stevin and Spinoza Prize respectively for their pioneering work on social inequality and genetic research.
Two leading researchers from Utrecht have been awarded this year for the highest honours in Dutch science: the Spinoza and Stevin prizes. Both prizes, also known as the “Dutch Nobel Prizes”, are awarded to researchers doing outstanding and pioneering work. Each winner receives EUR 1.5 million for further research and utilisation of their knowledge.
Professor and philosopher Ingrid Robeyns from Utrecht University has been awarded the Stevin Prize. She is renowned for her research on inequality and the societal impact of extreme wealth. Robeyns advocates for a cap on personal wealth and develops policy proposals aimed at reducing inequality and strengthening democratic institutions. Her work offers concrete solutions to societal challenges and is widely appreciated, including by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research. Robeyns emphasizes that the award holds special meaning because the impact of philosophical research is often hard to make tangible: “My contributions lie in ideas and concepts that help us better understand and shape society.”
This year’s Spinoza Prize goes to Professor of Experimental Genetics Thijn Brummelkamp, who also serves as the scientific director of the Netherlands Cancer Institute. He is being recognized for his innovative genetic research, through which he uncovers the strategies used by pathogens. Thanks to techniques he developed, researchers around the world are now better able to study how genes function within human DNA—an essential step in the development of new treatments for cancer and infectious diseases. Brummelkamp highlights his broad research approach: “I deliberately avoid narrowing my focus to one specific path, instead pursuing research that opens up a wide range of discoveries to benefit both people and science.”
The NWO awards highlight the importance of both fundamental and socially relevant research. While the Spinoza Prizes focus on groundbreaking scientific discoveries, the Stevin Prizes emphasize the societal impact and practical application of knowledge.
Source: RTV Utrecht, Universiteit Utrecht
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