Liesbeth Janssen Wins Athena Award for Neurodiversity Advocacy
Eindhoven, Friday, 27 December 2024.
Liesbeth Janssen, an associate professor at TU/e, receives the NWO Athena Award for championing neurodiversity in academia, using the €50,000 prize to enhance inclusivity efforts.
Groundbreaking Recognition
In a significant development for academic inclusivity, Liesbeth Janssen, an associate professor at the Department of Applied Physics at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), has been awarded the prestigious NWO Athena Award [1]. The award, which includes a substantial prize of €50,000, recognizes outstanding female researchers who make exceptional contributions to science [1]. Janssen shares this honor with Professor Hannah Dugdale of the University of Groningen [1].
Scientific Excellence and Leadership
Janssen, who leads the Non-Equilibrium Soft Matter research group, has been conducting pioneering work on glass phase research for twelve years, beginning her journey as a postdoc in New York [1]. Her research has significant implications for developing fast-working computer chips and recyclable plastics [1]. Under her leadership as chair of the Soft Matter and Biological Physics section, Janssen has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to both scientific excellence and team wellbeing [1]. As noted by APSE dean Kees Storm, ‘She is bold, has more guts than many scientists’ [1].
Championing Workplace Diversity
What sets Janssen’s vision apart is her profound understanding of diversity’s role in scientific advancement. ‘The need for diversity is as obvious to me as the need for a laptop or a desk - it is simply a requisite to get good work done,’ she emphasizes [1]. This perspective aligns with broader movements in academia supporting neurodiversity and inclusive practices [3]. Her approach to leadership prioritizes mental well-being and sustainable workloads, with her often-quoted principle that ‘Health always comes first’ [1].
Future Impact and Implementation
Looking ahead to 2025, Janssen’s initiative comes at a crucial time when institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of neurodiversity in academic settings [3]. The prize money will be instrumental in developing programs to support neurodiversity in both workplace and educational contexts [1]. This aligns with broader academic trends toward creating more inclusive and supportive environments for neurodivergent individuals [3]. As Janssen aptly puts it, ‘The fact that something is difficult is no reason not to start. Then I say: Let’s do it!’ [1]