ASTRON’s head of the Innovation & Systems department, Roelien Attema, has been named as one of the ten new Fellows of the Netherlands Academy of Engineering (NAE). The appointment recognises her outstanding achievements in technology valorisation and visionary leadership in research and development.
Published by the editorial team, 12 December 2024
With a career spanning leading R&D organisations including KPN Research, TNO, and ASTRON, Attema has established herself as a key figure in transforming research into practical applications. Since 2019, she has led ASTRON’s R&D department, called Innovation & Systems, where she manages a team of approximately 65 engineers and ICT experts responsible for technological innovations in radio telescope development.
Known for her “lead-from-the-back” leadership style, Attema excels at organising innovation while fostering her team members’ personal development. She is particularly driven by the practical application of research results and their industrial and societal impact. Her contributions to strengthening innovation ecosystems in Northern Netherlands, active collaboration with educational institutions and industry, and commitment to diversity in engineering have made her a valued addition to the prestigious NAE network.
Attema: “It’s great to see how ‘just doing my work with passion’ is recognised and valued by the community leading to a NAE fellowship. I’m eager to contribute further to responsible, inclusive engineering with impact in collaboration with the other fellows.”
The fellowship was officially awarded on December 12, 2024, during NAE’s General Assembly in Amsterdam.
