Each year, the Hermesdorf Prizes go to a junior and a senior researcher from Radboud University and/or Radboudumc who have made a significant social impact with their research. In the tradition of the namesake, it's awarded to researchers who have shown some form of courage, stuck their necks out or not shied away from resistance.
The Hermesdorf Prizes are named after professor B.H.D. Hermesdorf, rector magnificus of Radboud University from late 1942 to September 1945. For reasons of principle, he refused - as the only Dutch rector magnificus - to present students with a declaration of loyalty to the German occupier, which inevitably led to the university's closure in April 1943. This is how he kept his back straight in difficult times.
Since 2018, two prizes have been awarded annually: one for a senior and one for a junior researcher or team of researchers from Radboud University and/or Radboudumc. The prize consists of a certificate and a plaque with the image of professor Hermesdorf.
2025
Hermesdorf Prize: Ritse Mann
Hermesdorf Talent Prize: Ferhat Beyaz, Mirjam Schaap en Hilde Bronkhorst
2024
Hermesdorf Prize: Niels Spierings
Hermesdorf Talent Prize: Constant Swinkels
2023
Hermesdorf Prize: Platform Diversity in Sex and Gender
Hermesdorf Talent Prize: Paul Reef
2022
Hermesdorf Prize: Alma Tostmann and Chantal Rovers
Hermesdorf Talent Prize: Kiane de Kleijne
2021
Hermesdorf Prize: Centrum voor Migratierecht
Hermesdorf Talent Prize: Marlies van Eck
2020
Hermesdorf Prize: Frank van de Veerdonk, Mihai Netea, Roger Brüggemann, Leo Joosten, Alexander Hoischen and the COVID research team of the Radboudumc
Hermesdorf Talent Prize: Charlotte Bekker
2019
Hermesdorf Prize: Heleen de Coninck
Hermesdorf Talent Prize: Bas Stunnenberg
2018
Hermesdorf Prize: Johan Oosterman
Hermesdorf Talent Prize: Marijke Naezer
2017
Hermesdorf Prize: Hans de Kroon and Caspar Hallmann
