Dutch recognise SANTHE scientist for two decades of HIV & human rights leadership

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chancellor of the Netherlands Orders has appointed Elisabeth van der Elst as an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. Van der Elst is a SANTHE Scientific Innovation Awardee and social scientist at Utrecht University, Netherlands, as well as one of the co-PI’s on SANTHE’s  Aidsfonds-Sidaction HIV Cure Research Award – Assessing Understanding of participant perspectives in Ongoing Research on HIV cure in Africa (AURORA).

Van der Elst was formally recognised during a general honours ceremony held on 24 April to acknowledge her more than two decades of promoting Dutch core values including freedom, equality, tolerance, justice, independence, democracy, and solidarity via her sustained contribution to supporting vulnerable communities in Kenya and South Africa (particularly gay men and transgender women), in efforts aimed at strengthening the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Of more than 3,600 people honoured in 2026, only 26 received the distinguished rank of “Officer”, recognising individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact in their field. Hearty congratulations Elisabeth van der Elst!