Els den  Os passed away

Els played a foundational role in the IMPRS, which was officially launched in 2009. At the time, she was head of the research office at Radboud University and had previously served as the MPI's officer for European affairs. Her intimate knowledge of both institutions made her indispensable when weaving the IMPRS curriculum, assessment system, and community activities into existence. 

As MPI marked the milestone of celebrating 100 PhD defences in January 2021, it reflected on the remarkable journey of the IMPRS - a journey in which Els' contributions were instrumental. From implementing core courses and progress monitoring systems to organising cross-cultural social events such as pub quizzes, Sinterklaas evenings, and international potlucks, she nurtured a vibrant and inclusive scholarly environment.

"We're so sorry to hear that Els has passed away unexpectedly. This is heartbreaking news," says our Managing Director Simon Fisher. "She was a much loved member of our community for some years, and made key contributions to the MPI. Els' vision has left a lasting legacy. She instilled a spirit of interdisciplinary cooperation that remains at the core of IMPRS's mission: to train researchers equipped with the tools to cross disciplinary boundaries and address the complexities of language science."

Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, colleagues, and all members of the IMPRS and MPI communities. Els den Os will be deeply missed. 

Further read about Els den Os at IMPRS: 100 PhD Defences IMPRS | Max Planck Institute and The blossoming of an idea | Max Planck Institute.