These are the nominees for the Student Awards 2026
Utrecht University is proud of its students who achieve outstanding results in the field of their studies or beyond. This is why each year the Executive Board presents two student awards during the opening of the academic year: the award for the Best Master’s Thesis and the student award for Social Impact. The nominees for the Best Master’s Thesis 2026 and the Vliegenthart thesis award are: Olaf Nijssen, Connor Proudfoot and Miriam Osinga. The nominees for the Student Award Social Impact are: Frederique van Aalst, Jouke Nabuurs and Yeline Hoogmans.
Nominees Best Master’s Thesis Award and Vliegenthart Master’s Thesis Award 2026
Connor Proudfoot - Vocal complexity in a social bird of prey (Gyps rueppelli)
Connor has conducted research on the interaction between Rüppell’s vultures, their conspecifics, and their eggs. It is a well-written thesis with a strong research question, an engaging writing style, and a compelling conclusion.
Miriam Osinga - Investigating the Feasibility of the Orch OR Theory
Miriam addresses the question “How did our consciousness arise?” An in-depth exposition of the theory, covering various approaches, insights, and perspectives, in which this complex subject matter is presented in an accessible manner.
Olaf Nijssen - Spatially-Selective Optogenetic Induction of Gene
Olaf has developed a technique to engineer cells and subsequently tested this strategy. This technique has the potential to eliminate the need for animal testing and allow many medications to be tested much more quickly. The study is considered socially relevant and widely applicable to society.
Nominees Student Award Social Impact 2026
Frederique van Aalst
Frederique van Aalst initiated the platform Utrecht Geeft. This platform offers concrete and rapid assistance to people who find themselves stuck in the system. Although the platform has a focus on homeless people, people without a residence permit or people facing severe precarious living conditions, Utrecht Geeft aims to help anyone who needs assistance. The mission of Utrecht Geeft is to provide quick and non-judgmental help, without rigid criteria or strict protocols.
Jouke Nabuurs
Jouke Nabuurs has dedicated his time to society in various ways. He distributed 170.000 saplings together with other students for example, with the goals of planting as many trees as possible. He is also committed to Impact Connect, a platform that helps UU students find and pursue their passions. Furthermore he has supported African Giants, a student-led movement that supports startups in Africa. Finally, Jouke plays an important role in Thermal Compost Solutions, a system that contributes to solving the nitrogen crisis.
Yeline Hoogmans
Yeline Hoogmans has founded the startup ASAP, via which she contributes to the safety of women in public spaces. This is done primarily by the development of an app that allows users to connect directly with people that they know. In addition to developing this app however, Yeline emphasises shared responsibility for social safety by actively involving men as part of the solution. In doing so, she not only contributes to raising awareness about this topic but also offers concrete tools to help people.
Criteria
- Directors of Education or research directors can nominate a student in their programme for the Student Award for the Best Master’s Thesis. The student must satisfy the set criteria.
- Anyone, regardless of their relationship to Utrecht University, may nominate a student for the Social Impact Award. See the regulations and procedure.
Announcement
The winners will be announced during the Start of the Academic Year ceremony in the Dom Church on Monday 31 August 2026.