Key research themes
1. How have sensory evaluation methods evolved to improve panel performance and product characterization?
This theme focuses on the development and refinement of sensory evaluation methodologies, particularly descriptive and difference tests, aiming to enhance accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of sensory panels. The evolution from classical descriptive analyses to novel rapid profiling methods facilitates better understanding of sensory drivers, product differentiation, and panelist training and monitoring approaches.
2. What is the impact of sensory marketing and multisensory environments on consumer perception and well-being?
This theme investigates how intentional sensory stimuli across multiple modalities influence consumer attitudes, behaviors, and emotional responses in contexts ranging from advertising to environmental design. Research covers sensory marketing strategies that harness vision, touch, smell, and audition to shape purchase intentions and brand engagement, as well as applications of multisensory environments (MSEs) for therapeutic and leisure purposes, emphasizing the role of sensory design in enhancing user experiences and health outcomes.
3. How can technology advance sensory evaluation and assessment beyond traditional settings?
This theme explores emerging technological innovations—wearable sensors, computerized rating scales, and digital olfactory displays—that extend sensory evaluation capabilities outside laboratory or clinical contexts. It examines methodologies enabling remote or continuous assessment of sensory perceptions (e.g., olfactory, visual, auditory stimuli) and emphasizes technological aids in training sensory panels, objective measurement of autonomic responses, and enhancement of ecological validity, aiming to increase efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of sensory data collection and training in real-world environments.