The Executive Board of the Pro Academia Prize has decided to confer the Pro Academia Prize 2021 on Klaus Roth of Berlin, Germany. Dr. Roth is a a German professor of chemistry, university teacher, author, and — through his extensive and far-reaching interdisciplinary network of collaborators — an outstanding promoter of science and academic exchange.
Due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, Dr. Roth received the Pro Academia Prize by proxy in Berlin.
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n today's competitive, hectic, often erratic, money-oriented and mostly short-lived science and research, places of quiet discussion free from strife are rare, and, though generally preached, broad-based interdisciplinary exchange usually remains minor-league.
Single outstanding scientists have become a rarity. They still exist; however, in most cases research and academia require teams, organized as a network of groups with a common interest. Leading individuals, with a clear research orientation, forge successful groups and networks with accomplished and competent researchers.
The Pro Academia Prize is bestowed on the leader and — if possible — the members of academic groups that serve as an example. They must have worked together and succeeded in reaching their goals over a period of at least eight years and thus created "nurseries" of scientific eminence. The Prize was established by The Round Table Foundation. It was awarded for the first time in 2013.
The Prize is also meant as an incentive, a motivation for young scientists to pursue new avenues of research and teaching. The Round Table Foundation wants them to go on and follow an honest and ethical academic way.
The Prize itself is a crystal owl, symbolizing Athena, the goddess of crafts and skilled peacetime pursuits. She personifies wisdom and righteousness. Thus, the Prize stands for scientific and academic perseverance, knowledge, and exchange. The Prize lauds these virtues and successes.
The crystal owl as representation of the Prize given to the leader of the network, certificates for all group members and — whenever possible — small olive trees will be the sole gifts.
The Executive Board of the Prize comprises the President and the Council Members of TRTF, at present Peter A. Rinck, Robert N. Muller, Patricia de Francisco, and Hans G. Ringertz. Members of Advisory Committee are Luis Martí-Bonmatí, Regine C. Schulz, Eduardo Posada Flórez, and Klaus Roth. The Board may call in personalities in academia as expert consultants.
The Prize is conferred every other year. Candidates can be nominated by the members of the Board or the Advisory Committee. Direct applications are not accepted. However, suggestions can be conveyed to any member of the Executive Board.
Pro Academia Prize 2023
The laureate(s) for 2023 will be announced in late summer 2023.
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