Royal Netherlands Astronomical Society / Koninklijke Nederlandse Astronomenclub

• May 14, 2026, 9:15:00 AM

Katrien Kolenberg wins Willem de Graaff Prize 2026 for astronomical science communication

The Flemish astronomer Katrien Kolenberg has won the Willem de Graaff Prize for astronomical science communication 2026. Prof. Kolenberg was presented with the prize, which includes a monetary award of 1,500 euros, during the 81st Dutch Astronomers Conference, which took place earlier this week in Egmond aan Zee.

Kolenberg is affiliated with the universities of Antwerp, Brussels, and Leuven. In addition to her scientific research into vibrations in stars, using telescopes on Earth and in space, she devotes a great deal of energy and time to educational and creative projects, through which she allows various groups of people in countries and cultures all over the world to 'experience' science. With her 'astrosounds' project, she let the public listen to the sounds (the music) of stars. She has dedicated herself with enthusiasm and drive to astronomy education in Africa and Asia. In a recent interview, she said: "I often work at the intersection of science and art, because I am convinced that science should not only be understood, but also experienced and felt."

The triennial Willem de Graaff Prize was established in 2007 by Stichting De Koepel, which was dissolved in 2013. In 2016, the prize was adopted by the Royal Netherlands Astronomical Society, the professional association of astronomers and space researchers in the Netherlands and Flanders. Katrien Kolenberg is the seventh winner of the prize.

Links:

Katrien Kolenberg's personal webpage: www.stellarsounds.org

TEDxKULeuven: "Making sense of the cosmos"

KU Leuven Stories: Katrien Kolenberg - "The sound of the cosmos"

KU Leuven Stories: Katrien Kolenberg - "There is music written in the stars"

BBC Audio: "The blind astronomer", collaboration with Wanda Díaz Merced

Katrien Kolenberg: “We can make science more inclusive on so many levels”

“Music of the Stars” concert

More information on the KU Leuven website. Original press release here. Photo credit Jelle de Plaa / SRON.