Robbert Dijkgraaf, Ph.D.

Robbert Dijkgraaf is the current Minister of Education, Culture and Science in the Netherlands.

Dijkgraaf is a mathematical physicist who has made important contributions to string theory and the advancement of science education. In addition to discovering deep connections between matrix models, topological string theory and supersymmetric quantum field theory, Dijkgraaf has developed precise formulas for the counting of bound states that explain the entropy of certain black holes.

Past president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2008-2012) and co-chair of the InterAcademy Council (2009-2017), Dijkgraaf is a distinguished public policy adviser and passionate advocate for science and the arts. Many of his activities — which have included frequent appearances on Dutch television, a monthly newspaper column and the launch of the science education website www.Proefjes.nl — are at the interface between science and society.

Photo credit: Gabi Porter, Institute for Advanced Study