Menno Rasch New Director eScience Center
As of 1 May 2026, Menno Rasch will take up the position of Director of the Netherlands eScience Center. Menno currently serves as Director of Digital Infrastructure at the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and brings extensive management experience and deep expertise in Research Software, gained within the academic community.
His background in both Computer Science (AI) and Philosophy enables him to connect strategy, technology, and societal context. Menno combines technological depth with strategic leadership and a keen awareness of the societal impact of digitalisation in science.
The Board of the eScience Center has full confidence in Menno’s ability to further position the organisation as the national centre of expertise for research software in the Netherlands. In addition, he will play a role in the external evaluation and in strengthening the position of Research Software Engineers.