In a recent announcement, the American Philosophical Society (APS) has invited 38 scientists to become members of one of the most prestigious scientific societies in the world. Among them is a TU/e professor: Bert Meijer.
The American Philosophical Society as founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin to bring together creative thinkers in the sciences and other fields of study (then referred to as "natural philosophy"), for the broad purpose of "promoting useful knowledge." In addition, it is a very prestigious and exclusive society. Members are carefully vetted and weighed.
The APS continues to be a forum for the free exchange of ideas, exemplified by its twice-annual Members’ Meetings, the longest-running scholarly press in North America, a grants and fellowships program that brings scholars to the Society to perform research at its library and museum and sends them into field sites and archives across the globe, and a museum that welcomes upwards of 100,000 visitors each year.
Appointment
There are currently only five living Dutch members within the society: Ewine van Dishoeck (Leiden University), Ben Feringa (University of Groningen), Willem Levelt (Radboud University), Robbert Dijkgraaf (University of Amsterdam), and Naomi Ellemers (Utrecht University). University professor Bert Meijer will be the sixth Dutch member of this society.Meijer himself says about his appointment: "To my great surprise, I learned that I have been elected as an international member of this venerable institute, which is older than both the United States and the KNAW (Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences, ed.). When I saw who the other elected members of this year were, I was dumbfounded. It is a great honor for me, and I look forward to the dedication in April 2026 with great anticipation."
"In addition, he is of enormous value to our TU/e, especially in educating and inspiring young engineers. We are therefore extremely proud that he joins this distinguished company as a TU/e university professor."
Congratulations came to Meijer from colleagues and friends from all’over the world as soon as the news of his appointment broke. In April 2026, the official installation of the new members will take place during a special annual members meeting.
University Professor Meijer is affiliated with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and the Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry. There, he built up an impressive oeuvre in the field of supramolecular polymers, and he co-founded and led the ICMS institute for many years.
He is still fully active in his field, both at TU/e and at other universities in the Netherlands and abroad. He also still supervises young researchers in their PhD research.
