Deniz Başkent nominated for the Huibregtsen Prize

Deniz Başkent, Professor of Auditory Perception attached to the ear, nose and throat department (KNO) of the University Medical Center Groningen /Faculty of Medical Sciences, is one of six nominees for the 2018 Huibregtsen Prize . Jury chair Wim van Saarloos (president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) will announce the winner on 8 October 2018 at the Evening of Science and Society in the Ridderzaal in The Hague.

Deniz Başkent researches the role played by cognitive aspects in speech perception and how brain training can compensate for hearing impairment. She heads multidisciplinary research teams of behavioural and cognitive scientists and researchers with a technical background. She maintains unique collaborations with users of hearing aids and cochlear implants, with the manufacturers of these aids, and with local and international researchers. A notable feature of her work is the close link between her research and its application. The jury described Başkent’s work as being especially relevant for users of cochlear implants, which replace normal acoustic hearing with electrical hearing.

Huibregtsen Prize

The Huibregtsen Prize, named after Wouter Huibregtsen, was established in 2005 by the board of the Stichting De Avond van Wetenschap & Maatschappij (Evening of Science and Society Foundation). The prize goes to a recent research project that is scientifically innovative and with clear relevance to society. A maximum of six projects are nominated each year, one of which is ultimately awarded the Huibregtsen Prize. The principles guiding the jury’s choice were scientific excellence, a departure from the beaten track, originality and greater societal relevance than might be expected within the discipline. The prize will be awarded at the Evening of Science and Societyin the Ridderzaal in The Hague. It consists of a sculpture, ‘The Thinker’ by visual artist Wil van der Laan, a sum of €25,000 that is earmarked for research activities, and a workshop offered by the Lorentz Center in Leiden.

Evening of Science and Society

The Evening of Science and Societywas established in 2000 to emphasize the importance of science for society by showing where and how scientific research finds applications in daily life. Leading scientists and prominent figures from other sectors of society will debate topics sparked by scientific research.

Information about the VICI grant awarded to Deniz Başkent in 2017 by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) can be found in the following report.