Jan de Boer is a theoretical physicist specialising in string theory and quantum gravity. Theoretical physics is currently based on two fundamental theories: on the one hand, quantum mechanics and the Standard Model derived from it, which predicts the behaviour of the smallest particles; on the other hand, Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, which describes the largest and heaviest phenomena, such as black holes, gravity and even the entire universe.

The road to ‘quantum gravity’ — a unified theory describing nature at all scales — has turned out to be extremely rocky in recent decades.

De Boer has discovered important pieces of the puzzle in this quest. Many of his findings are related to gauge-gravity correspondence, a mathematical correspondence between the two theories that allows complex problems in quantum gravity to be expressed in terms of calculations that are easier to solve. De Boer has also drawn unexpected parallels with quantum information theory, the theory of quantum computing, and the emergence of spacetime.

These concepts and theories are not always easy for outsiders to grasp, but De Boer has shown himself to be an excellent communicator, for example at the popular science event Science & Cocktails and during the InScience film festival in Nijmegen.

De Boer and his fellow new KNAW members will be officially installed on 28 September 2026.