1 maart 2005

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) has selected six new Academy Professors this year.

They are Professor M.G. Bal (University of Amsterdam), Professor A.P. Buunk (University of Groningen), Professor H.W.J. Huiskes (Technische Universiteit Eindhoven), Professor M.B. Katan (Wageningen University), Professor H.N.W. Lekkerkerker (Utrecht University) and Professor F.C. Palm (Maastricht University). As Academy Professors they will be able to devote themselves full-time to innovative research and the supervision of young researchers. Academy Professors are released by their universities from administrative obligations. The Academy professorship is being awarded for a period of five years. The KNAW is making EUR 1 million available for this purpose.

Professor M.G. (Mieke) Bal, University of Amsterdam, Theory of literature
Professor Bal (1946) has been awarded an Academy Professorship for her original contributions to narratology and to her application of the principles of literary theory to the visual arts. A prime example of her contributions in the field of narratology is her trilogy on the bible from a feminist perspective. Her application of the principles of literary theory to the visual arts is highly innovative, bold and imaginative. In the broad field of cultural analysis Professor Bal is both widely respected and highly admired.

Professor A.P. (Bram) Buunk, University of Groningen, Social Psychology
Professor Buunk (1947) has been awarded an Academy Professorship for his influential theoretical contribution to social comparison theory in general, to empirical research on social comparison processes in several new domains, and to evolutionary psychology. His work has substantial applications for work-related stress, burn-out, mental health and serious illnesses. His research has also resulted in important new conclusions in the field of jealousy and social exchange in interpersonal relationships.

Professor H.W.J. (Rik) Huiskes, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Biomedical Engineering
Professor Huiskes (1944) has been awarded an Academy Professorship because he has used in a most successful way computational modelling in joint replacement and for novel calculations on the influence of stress on bone growth. He is one of the leaders in the field of orthopaedic biomechanics. Professor Huiskes has made pivotal contributions to his discipline and is on the forefront of research in his field.

Professor M.B. (Martijn) Katan, Wageningen University, Human Nutrition
Professor Katan (1946) has been awarded an Academy Professorship because of the fact that he has distinguished himself by combining epidemiology with biochemical research on nutrition and health. Professor Katan's work has a major impact on dietary recommendations. His findings include the realization that trans fatty acids raise LDL (bad cholesterol), thereby increasing the risk of heart disease. As a direct consequence of professor Katan's research, trans-fatty acids are now being eliminated from food in various countries.

Professor H.N.W. (Henk) Lekkerkerker, Utrecht University, Physical Chemistry
Professor Lekkerkerker (1946) has been awarded an Academy Professorship in recognition of the unique contributions he has made to the renaissance of colloid chemistry. These contributions are based on experimental and theoretical work that explains the spontaneous ordering phenomena of complex multicomponent systems. His work not only has led to deep insights into the chemistry of phase separation processes but in addition has led to a number of important practical applications.

Professor F.C. (Franz) Palm, Maastricht University, Econometrics
Professor Palm has been awarded the Academy Professorship for his fundamental contributions to the theory of econometric time series models. His papers written since the early 1970's have sparked off some of the most exciting developments in his field. Professor Palm has also used the models and techniques of time series econometrics in an innovative and influential way in applied fields and especially in financial economics, which is his more recent work.

The KNAW funds the salary and a research budget for each Academy Professor (together EUR 200,000). The university in question is required to recruit at least one young talented research leader with the funds made available. In this way, the Academy Professorship Programme helps young researchers advance into supervisory positions. The Academy professorship is being awarded for a period of five years, with the possibility of extension. The KNAW is making EUR 1 million available for this purpose.

The Academy Professorship Programme was set up in 2002; each year about five Academy Professors will be appointed. Outstanding professors aged between 55 and 60 can be nominated by the governing bodies of their universities. The nominations are evaluated by an international committee chaired by the President of the KNAW.

The five Academy Professors will be officially installed on Monday 11 April 2005, on which occasion Minister Brinkhorst of Economic Affairs will give a lecture on fundamental research and economic growth in a European perspective, which will be followed by a debate. More information on the Academy Professors and the Academy Professors Programme may be found on this website: http://www.knaw.nl/professorship/.