This ‘older brother’ of the KNAW - the well-known organization that funds research and plays an important role in formulating Dutch science policy - was founded in 1752 by seven prominent citizens in Haarlem. That is where the organization still resides. Almost a thousand people are involved in the KHMW: over 400 ‘directors’ (representatives of society with an interest in science), over 500 ‘members’ (scientists) and some 40 foreign members.
Bonte, professor of cognitive neuroscience of language and reading development, is currently working on research into the early detection of reading problems in children. She received a Vici grant for this last year. She is not the first UM researcher to join the society. Two years ago that honor fell to Professor of Forensic Psychology Corine de Ruiter.