The Dutch Prize for ICT research 2022 has been awarded to Dr Jasmin Blanchette for his research on developing and applying interactive and automated theorem provers. The winner receives a sum of €50,000 to use at their own discretion in support of their research. Jasmin Blanchette is an associate professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s Department of Theoretical Computer Science.

Seven candidates were nominated for the ICT Prize 2022. The jury, consisting of Professor Rob van Glabbeek (University of New South Wales) , Professor Frank van Harmelen (VU Amsterdam) and Professor Joost Kok (University of Twente) was impressed by the quality of the entries. From the candidates the jury selected Blanchette as a worthy recipient of the Dutch Prize for ICT research 2022. The jury collectively recognized the immense impact that Blanchette’s work has had on the field of theorem proving: both technically, by expanding the existing body of literature on automated reasoning, and educationally, by encouraging and supporting others in the effective use of theorems to prove their own reasoning.

The prestigious Dutch Prize for ICT research is awarded annually to a scientific researcher who has carried out innovative research or who has been responsible for a scientific breakthrough in ICT within 15 years of earning their PhD. The prize is funded by the ICT research platform Netherlands (IPN) in cooperation with the Dutch Research Council (NWO), through the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities (KHMW). In addition to the above-mentioned prize money for the winner, Dr Blanchette will record a video – together with NWO – to explain his award-winning work and its significance. This will be distributed to schools and other knowledge institutes.

Blanchette will receive his award at a ceremony during ICT.OPEN2022, which will take place on 6 and 7 April 2022 in Amsterdam.

The previous winners of the Dutch IT Research Prize are:

• Dr Felienne Hermans – Leiden University (2021)
• Dr Pablo Cesar – Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) (2020)
• Professor Elmar Eisemann – Delft University of Technology (2019)
• Professor Joost Batenburg – CWI / Leiden University (2018)
• Dr Peter Schwabe – Nijmegen University (2017)
• Professor Alexandru Iosup – Delft University of Technology/ VU Amsterdam (2016)
• Dr Birna van Riemsdijk – Delft University of Technology (2015)
• Professor Marieke Huisman – University of Twente (2013)
• Dr Cees Snoek – University of Amsterdam (2012)
• Professor Bettina Speckmann – Eindhoven University of Technology (2011)

About KHMW

The Royal Holland Society for Sciences and Humanities was founded in 1752. Its goal is to promote science and to build bridges between science and society. It does so by holding competitions, presenting awards for scientific achievements, organizing lectures and staging scientific conferences. The Royal Holland Society for Sciences and Humanities has been based at Hodshon House in Haarlem since 1841. www.khmw.nl

About IPN

ICT Research Platform Nederland (IPN) is a national platform for the Dutch ICT research community. It serves as the main point of contact for policymakers, politicians, the business community and other groups in society. IPN raises awareness of ICT in the Netherlands and strengthens its position as a scientific discipline. Ict-research.nl

About NWO

The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is one of the most important science funding bodies in the Netherlands and realises quality and innovation in science. Each year, NWO invests almost 1 billion euros in curiosity-driven research, research related to societal challenges and research infrastructure.

NWO selects and funds research proposals based on recommendations from

expert scientists and other experts in the Netherlands and abroad. NWO encourages national and international collaboration, invests in large research facilities, facilitates knowledge utilisation and manages research institutes. NWO funds more than 7000 research projects at universities and knowledge institutions. www.nwo.nl

Contact details:

NWO Domain Science (ENW): Juul Brouwers, policy officer, j.brouwers@nwo.nl