Prof. H.P. Barendregt (Henk)

Prof. Henk Barendregt is an expert on mathematical logic with worldwide recognition. His speciality is lambda calculus, a formal language for representing mathematical functions, algorithms and reasoning. He was the first person to summarize, classify and clearly present all aspects of lambda calculus in a research monograph. His colleagues refer to this publication as 'the old testament'. The sequel, or 'new testament', includes Barendregt's cube and a classification of type systems.

Barendregt expresses his views on art, music, religion and philosophy in various media. Together with his colleagues, he is working on models for aspects of the human brain, notably on the effects of vipassana (insight meditation) in everyday life and in psychotherapy (mindfulness).

Barendregt is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and was awarded the Spinoza Prize in 2002.