These are the nominees for the Agnites Vrolik Award 2026

The Agnites Vrolik Award will be awarded on February 12. The Utrecht University Fund awards this prize to a scientist whose research contributes to solving current social issues. There are three nominees.

Helen Toxopeus

By 2050, 70% of the world's population will live in cities. Nature in the city is often seen as something beautiful, but also as an expense. “In my research, I show that urban nature is much more than that.” Various parties benefit from urban nature: municipal departments, residents, property owners, even companies and insurers.

In her research, Toxopeus shows how urban nature can change from an expense to a smart investment. She develops practical ways to distribute the costs fairly, so that greening works for everyone. “By organizing financing in a smart way, our cities will become greener, more livable, and more resilient.”

Marij Swinkels

“Politics often seem to focus on what is urgent and important right now, while the major consequences of those choices will only be felt later.” Swinkels investigates how people and organizations in public administration can better take the future into account. For example, when it comes to climate policy or the housing crisis.

Swinkels and her team are developing new research methods. What have they found? These methods yield surprisingly different ideas about the future: more creative, fairer, and more focused on the long term. “The best way to predict the future is to shape it together.” 

Pinar Yolum

AI systems should be responsible, transparent, fair, explainable, and ethical, people say. But according to Professor Yolum, that is not realistic. Instead, she advocates for trustworthy AI. “In my research, I study how artificial intelligence can collaborate with people in a way that people trust, understand, and enjoy it.”

AI systems can perform complex calculations very quickly, but they lack a built-in sense of context, ethics, and nuance. “This means that AI can make mistakes that humans would avoid thanks to their broader understanding of situations.” Yolum's research contributes to AI supporting human decision-making rather than replacing it. “If AI systems have a better understanding of their expertise or limitations, they will be able to return certain tasks to the user.”