Koos Biesmeijer and Claire van Megen nominated for Person of the Year
Koos Biesmeijer, Professor of Natural Capital, and Claire van Megen, an Educational and Child Studies student, are in with a chance of winning Leiden’s Person of the Year title. According to the Leidsch Dagblad newspaper, they and eight other people from the region made a difference in Leiden and the surrounding area last year.
Leidsch Dagblad has held its annual Person of the Year poll since 2017. Readers of the paper can nominate candidates they believe have made a positive contribution to the Leiden and Duin- en Bollenstreek region or the community. From the nominees the editors select a shortlist of candidates whom the public can now vote for.
PhD candidate Auke-Florian Hiemstra won last year’s title for his environmental activism.
Nominees
Two of this year’s nominees are from Leiden University. Leiden professor Koos Biesmeijer is dedicated to helping bees. He is the initiator of the rapidly growing ‘Green Circle Bee Landscape’ in Leiden and surrounding areas. This involves creating a landscape for bees with tall grass and flowering.
Claire van Megen is committed to improving the mental health of her fellow Leiden students. With her PraatErover! foundation she arranges free mental health support for students who need it.
The Leidsch Dagblad features longer interviews with all the nominees.
Cast your vote
Voting opened on 6 January. It’s not yet known when the winner will be announced.