Monique Smeets holds a chair in Sensory Systems in Social Context at the Department of Psychology at the Social, Health & Organizational Psychology section at Utrecht University.

Her background is in experimental and cognitive psychology (graduate degree from University of Amsterdam; PhD from Utrecht University) with a specific interest in chemosensory and cross-modal perception in social contexts. Specifically, Monique and colleagues have investigated the social significance of body odour as a medium of social communication.

Between 1996 and 2002 she gained post-doctoral experience in visual neuroscience working with Prof Stephen Kosslyn at Harvard University (supported by a Niels Stensen research fellowship), followed by fellowships at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge (taste and smell) and at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia under the supervision of Dr. Pamela Dalton (smell and chemosensory irritation).

After returning to Utrecht University, Monique established the Smell Lab to investigate the impact of environmental odours on health enabled by a Vidi- Verniewingsimpuls grant from NWO: “Chemosensory irritation from disagreeable and agreeable odours: subjective versus objective effects”. The research from Monique and co-workers produced novel insights for example on the health effects resulting directly from exposure to odours in the environment versus indirectly via mechanisms of learning and anticipation of such effects. 

Understanding the sense of smell - including body odors and product fragrances used to mask or be enjoyed - and its impact on consumers is essential for the consumer goods industry. Between 2011 and 2024 Monique held a dual affiliation, also working as science leader for Consumer Science at Unilever R&D Science & Technology. Here, she dedicated herself to applying academic psychological science to drive impactful innovations that promote consumer wellbeing and sustainability. After rejoining academia, she now explores collaborative opportunities between social science and industry R&D within innovation ecosystems, while continuing her research on the effects of social context on perception, emotion, and wellbeing.