Citation: This award is rarely bestowed, and is given “… to those members and non-members of the Academia and to organizations, in recognition of the contribution made to European science through inspiration, public support, management expertise or by financial means.”
The Board of Trustees of the Academia Europaea are pleased to recognize the substantial and sustained contribution that Sierd Cloetingh has made to the life of the Academia Europaea throughout his membership. We are pleased to recognize and to mark with this award, the significant impact he has had on the development of the wider European collaborative science and innovation landscape, through his positions in the ERC (as a Vice president), COST (as a President) and other European and international level representative bodies and organizations, including those relating to his fields of expertise. His wisdom and influence have made substantial contributions to the development of the ERC and to COST and have contributed positively to the overall landscape of collaborations across our continent. He can be said to have been a true pioneer for our development of the European Research Area concept. Following his election to the Academia Europaea in 1993, Sierd quickly established and then maintained a close and active engagement in all aspects of the Academy. He has, at various times, served as a Council member, as a Trustee, as a section chair (for Earth and Cosmic Sciences) and, recently, as our President. He has been instrumental in the establishment of the Young Academy of Europe and has overseen the development of the AE network of Regional Knowledge Hubs. These centres are now playing an important part in promoting the widening of participation in European Sciences for scholars from the less favoured regions. Sierd has always promoted the visibility of the Academia, not least through his recent Presidency on the Board of the EU Horizon project ‘SAPEA’, where the AE plays a significant role. The outstanding, selfless and continuous high level of service that Sierd has given to the Academia Europaea over almost 30 years is, perhaps, unequalled. The Gold award of our Academy is therefore a fitting mark of our recognition of this service.
Sierd Cloetingh delivered his Gold Award address during the Academia Europaea 33rd Annual Conference, which took place in Barcelona from 26–27 October 2022.
Robert-Jan Smits MAE (Hon.) gave the laudation. He is the President of Eindhoven University of Technology and a former Director General of DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission.
