Changing Perceptions: The Evolution of Sensory Science through Time

Speaker: Carol Raithatha

Carol is the Director of Carol Raithatha Limited which provides research support and consultancy, as well as coaching and mentoring aimed primarily at research professionals. She has been involved in sensory and consumer science for 40 years and has been a member of the SSG (PFSG) since its early days. Carol’s experience covers many categories and she works with all types of organisations. On the coaching and mentoring side, Carol enjoys helping her clients meet their objectives in areas such as developing new skills, building self-confidence, delivering value, and planning meaningful career paths, among many other topics.

Presentation Title: Looking back on 25 years of the SSG and sensory and consumer science

This short presentation will have two parts: The first part will explain the origins of the IFST Sensory Science Group and discuss how and why it was formed and the progress it has made since then. The second part will be a fun look at how sensory and consumer science was done 25 years ago. What was more difficult or more complicated and what was easier?

Speaker: Lauren Rogers - MSc, FIFST, CSci, RSensSci

Lauren Rogers is a freelance sensory scientist living in the beautiful Staffordshire Peak District. Lauren fell in love with sensory science in the early 1990s when she worked for Dalgety Plc, a food ingredients company. Later, she worked for GlaxoSmithKline, mainly on beverages such as Ribena and Horlicks. As well as working for several different clients on many different product types and many different qualitative and quantitative methods, Lauren also runs sensory science training courses. She has experience in many different products including ingredients, shampoos, snack products, drinks, toothpastes and pet-food.

Lauren is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) and an active member of the IFST’s Sensory Science Group, maintaining their sensory science qualifications. She is also a member of the Market Research Society, the Sensometrics Society, the Society of Sensory Professionals and the ASTM E-18 (Sensory) Committee. Lauren is a member of the British Standards Society working on various international sensory science standards.

Presentation Title: How sensory science currently answers the big questions

Sensory science has come a long way in understanding what consumers want and perceive across all types of products. But what are the big questions we’re answering now, and what methods are giving us the answers to help us understand the connections behind consumer behaviour and sensory experience? This part of the workshop reveals the latest techniques and approaches sensory scientists are using to answer the critical questions we are asked by colleagues and clients every day, and how these answers set the stage for what’s coming next.

Speaker: Alexandra Kuzmina - Innovation Associate Director, MMR Research Worldwide

Alexandra Kuzmina is an award-winning mixed-methods researcher, futurist, and early adopter of emerging technologies. As Innovation Associate Director at NOVA, the tech innovation team at MMR Research Worldwide, she drives the exploration and rigorous evaluation of new technologies, software, hardware, and methodologies. With a focus on delivering tangible value, Alexandra ensures that innovations are embraced for their impact, not just their novelty.

Presentation Title: Signals from the future: emerging methods in consumer and sensory science 

This session explores how sensory and consumer science can embed futures thinking to stay ahead of profound shifts in technology and human behaviour. From voice-enabled chatbot surveys and virtual moderators to AI Personas enriched with dynamic data, emerging tools are reshaping how we engage consumers and leverage insights. By spotting signals of change, mapping broader drivers, and imagining plausible futures, we can prepare for disruption and uncover new opportunities for growth and innovation.