Anita Jansen (1960) is an experimental clinical psychologist, who conducts pioneering research into eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and obesity. Together with her team Jansen discovered for example that persons with an eating disorder have a more realistic evaluation of their body than healthy persons, and that eating behaviour is largely acquired. This is in contradiction to prevailing ideas. This and other research by Jansen forms the basis for new treatments of eating disorders and obesity. Jansen wrote several popular books and often joins the public debate.  

As the forum, conscience, and voice of the arts and sciences in the Netherlands, the KNAW promotes the quality of scientific and scholarly work and strives to ensure that Dutch scholars and scientists make the best possible contribution to the cultural, social, and economic development of Dutch society.

Anita Jansen: “It is a great honour to become a member of this society of excellent scientists. Psychology is a fantastic and exciting science. We study human behaviour, so it concerns almost everything. I therefore regard this membership as a unique opportunity to translate psychological knowledge to society. Because let’s be honest, that still happens far too rarely – and yet we have so much to tell

Rector prof. dr. Rianne Letschert is extremely proud of Anita Jansen and the other seventeen KNAW members at Maastricht University: “It is important that our university participates in leading scientific committees such as the KNAW. That way we show that Maastricht University research belongs to the (inter)national top.”