Robbert Dijkgraaf is a distinguished mathematical physicist and academic leader who recently served as Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands. He is currently a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Amsterdam and the President-Elect of the International Science Council, representing the global science community. Before that he led the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
Dijkgraaf’s research focuses on the interface between theoretical physics and mathematics where he contributed to the understanding of string theory, black holes and topological field theories. He made significant contributions to international science advice and policy having served as president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and the InterAcademy Partnership, the global alliance of science academies.
For his contributions to science, he has received the Spinoza Prize, the highest scientific award in the Netherlands, and has been named a Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. He is also a trained artist, popular lecturer, columnist and writer, among others publishing the book The Usefulness of Useless Knowledge (2017).
Professional position
- Distinguished University Professor, University of Amsterdam
Subject groups
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Mathematics
Applied mathematics and theoretical physics
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Astronomy and Physics
Cosmology, Elementary particle physics, Gravitation, Mathematical and theoretical physics, Quantum theory
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Other
Public engagement, Science policy
