Ecole Polytechnique ENSTA Ecole des Ponts ENSAE Télécom Paris Télécom SudParis
Share

Robbert Dijkgraaf, former minister and world-renowned physicist, new president of the International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) of IP Paris

06 Jan. 2026
The Institut Polytechnique de Paris announced on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the nomination of Robbert Dijkgraaf as the new President of the ISAB (International Scientific Advisory Board). This nomination is part of the growth momentum for IP Paris initiated in July 2024 and strengthens its global scientific influence.
Robbert Dijkgraaf, former minister and world-renowned physicist, new president of the International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) of IP Paris

Global excellence driven by an exceptional profile 

As the former Minister of Education, Culture, and Science of the Netherlands, Robbert Dijkgraaf brings to the ISAB an expertise that blends high-level research and public governance. His career is marked by prestigious experiences: currently a distinguished professor at the University of Amsterdam and President-elect of the International Science Council (ISC), he directed the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton for ten years.

His work on string theory and black holes, as well as his experience at the head of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, make him a leading figure in the world scientific community and a major asset for IP Paris.

A high-level international board 

Under the presidency of Robbert Dijkgraaf, the ISAB gathers a college of 15 world-renowned experts from the most prestigious international institutions, including:

  • Yasuhiko Arakawa, Tokyo University, Japan
     
  • Maria José Calderón, CSIC Madrid, Spain
     
  • Matthew Richard Coop, University College London, UK
     
  • Bruce Kogut, Columbia University, USA
     
  • Yamuna Krishnan, University of Chicago, USA
     
  • Laura de Lorenzis, ETH Zurich, Switzerland 
     
  • Tova Milo, Tel Aviv University, Israel
     
  • Boris Murmann, University of Hawaii, USA
     
  • Stefan Müller, Bonn University, Germany
     
  • Seeram Ramakrishna, National University of Singapore, Singapore
     
  • Roberta Ramponi, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
     
  • Bernard Salanié, Columbia University, USA
     
  • Sonia Seneviratne, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
     
  • Carlo Sirtori, École normale supérieure, France

This Council's mission is to open new perspectives for reflection and to test the robustness of the scientific strategy of IP Paris. 

I am delighted to welcome Robbert Dijkgraaf, whose world-renowned expertise will be a major asset to the Institute. On behalf of the directors of the member schools, I would like to sincerely thank Patrick Aebischer as the first President of the ISAB, his commitment and vision were decisive in laying the foundations of our Institute and supporting its early development.