By virtue of his groundbreaking research in neuromarketing, as well as his experience as ERIM’s Scientific Director and Dean of Research at Rotterdam School of Management between 2004 and 2011, Professor Ale Smidts has been appointed a member of the board for the Division for the Social Sciences (MaGW) at the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). 

The appointment recognises Professor Smidts’ broad vision on the development of science and society and his expertise in the field of behavioural science. 

 Ale Smidts emphasizes: “I’m honoured by this appointment; it will enable me to contribute to strengthening the position of the Social Sciences within NWO. Pointing out the value of research in the social sciences for our well-being and prosperity is particularly important at times when budgets for fundamental research are under siege. It is a very diverse division and I’m looking forward to interacting with colleagues from multiple scientific fields about preparing MaGW for the future.”

In the words of NWO: “Professor Smidts has an excellent academic record. His research has been published for many years in top journals in the fields of marketing, business administration, psychology, and in particular neuro-science. In his academic work, he shows that he is able to think cross-disciplinarily. This is particularly evident in his specialised research in the field of neuro-economics.” 

NWO and its Division for the Social Sciences

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) funds thousands of top researchers at universities and institutes and steers the course of Dutch science by means of subsidies and research programmes.

The Division for the Social Sciences (MaGW) is one of NWO’s eight scientific divisions. Board members are appointed by the Governing Board of NWO at the recommendation of the divisional board for a period of three years, and can be reappointed for a further period of three years.

About Ale Smidts

<link people ale-smidts _blank>Professor Smidts is project leader at the Erasmus Centre for Neuroeconomics. His current research focus is decision neuroscience and neuromarketing, including the neural processes underlying consumer decision-making and social influence. His research involves collaboration with neuroimaging specialists from the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour at Radboud University in Nijmegen.