The interaction between science and society is becoming more and more important. However, science communication is still far from being recognized as integral to the task of science. The ‘Appreciated!’ fund response to this unseen field by giving the researcher a podium, demonstrating and recognizing the work. Boosting science communication is a policy spearhead of Ingrid van Engelshoven, the Dutch Minister of OCW. One of the initiatives she has taken is to make available a pilot fund of one million euros, intended for the recognition and appreciation of scientists who are committed to science communication.
The pilot fund is in line with the new way of recognizing and appreciating scientists, which has recently been introduced within the Dutch knowledge field. Science communication is seen as an integral part of an academic career. This fund is administered by the KNAW. Medio April it was announced that researcher Tessa Roseboom (professor of Early Development and Health, Amsterdam UMC/UvA), Sander Begeer (professor diversity and autism at VU Amsterdam), and Natascha Stroo (Science communication for Netherlands Twin Registry at VU University) all received the financial contribution.
Tessa Roseboom’s research
Tessa Rosebooms’ work focusses on the impact of the early life environment on growth, development and health throughout life. Her studies in the Dutch famine birth cohort provided the first direct evidence in humans that maternal nutrition during gestation affected offspring´s and potentially grand-offspring’s health (www.hongerwinter.nl). She applied the lessons learned about developmental plasticity to observational and experimental studies in current pregnancies, in developed and developing settings. Tessa actively contributes to translating lessons from research into policy and practice.
Sander Begeer’s research
Both the research and teaching of Sander Begeer are focused on the development, assessment and treatment/support of autism. He is the (co)founder of the Netherlands Autism Register (www.nederlandsautismeregister.nl). In this longitudinal cohort study, individuals with autism are followed by an annual survey. By close collaboration with affected individuals, Begeers’ research and teaching bridges the gap between science and society.
Natascha Stroo’s work
Natascha Stroo works for the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR), which is a national register in which twins, multiples and their parents, siblings, spouses and other family members participate. The NTR focuses on the role of heritability in mental and physical health. Moreover she is also a project manager for the ACTION Project: Aggression in Children: unraveling gene-environment interplay to inform Treatment and InterventiON strategies. The ACTION consortium will dissect the etiology and pathogenesis of aggression.