
The European Sensory Science Society is part the of a global sensory network (the Sensory Science Global Group – SSGG) aimed at establishing collaborations among five international/continental sensory science societies representing different regions in the world which includes:
- the Asian Sensory Network
- the African Network for Sensory Evaluation Research (ANSWER)
- the European Sensory Science Society (E3S)
- the Latin-American sensory network (SenseLatam)
- the Society of Sensory Professionals (SSP)
The Sensory Science Global Group – SSGG was established in 2021, when four societies started to met together online on a regular basis to explore how their common efforts could contribute to the growth of sensory science globally.
The group met in person in Turku in September 2022 at Eurosense conference where they organised a workshop led by E3S: “North, South, East, West: a diverse cross-cultural perspective on consumers food choices and preferences”.
The overarching theme of the workshop was diversity in sensory and consumer science and related methodological issues, from different perspectives: product development targeted to consumers with different ethnic backgrounds (SSP), gender and food preferences (E3S), food choice from a cross-cultural perspective (ANSWER) and social media exploration in a continent with the same language but diverse cultures (SenseLatam).
At the conference the Asian Sensory Network joined the group and the activities is going on, with many proposals for the future to stregthen this collaboration.
The Sensory Science Global Group – SSGG will organise a workshop at the next Pangborn that will be held in France in August 2023: “Challenges & Practical Solutions in Global Diversity Research – Perspectives from Cross-Regional Sensory & Consumer Research Organizations”. This workshop will present challenges in diversity research, especially in the recruiting aspect.
If you are active in sensory science, we want to learn from your experience, to how you are dealing with these challenges when you conduct research. We are asking if you will be willing to answer the following survey not later than (TBC: June 2023): your thoughts and opinions will enrich the workshop discussion.
Some further information about the societies/organisations in SSGG:
The Asian Sensory Network is a collaboration of Asian based professionals working in the area of sensory and consumer science. They have members from a wide range of Asian countries representing various industries such as universities, research agencies, food industry, consultants and government.
Mission: ANSWER provides opportunities to share information, access diverse opinions, and to build capacity in the area of Sensory Science Research in Africa.
The African Network for Sensory Evaluation Research (ANSWER) was formally established in 2019 during the Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium in Edinburgh, Scotland. ANSWER brings together individuals from academia, research institutions and industry on the African continent for training and collaborative research opportunities. ANSWER aspires to be the premier network for sensory evaluation research in Africa. The network is young and developing, volunteer-driven and welcomes inputs and suggestions from stakeholders.
Mission: Sharing knowledge: Explain the value of sensory tools; Share insights on African consumer markets; Training: Create opportunities for training on international best practices; Build capacity: A database of sensory and consumer scientists in African countries; Research: Co-create ideas; Collaborate on research projects
The European Sensory Science Society (E3S) is a no profit organisation constituted in Florence (Italy) in 2011 by twelve promoting partners, the national sensory societies from Austria, Denmark, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. In 2015 also Ireland joined the E3S, and in 2022 E3S welcomed Slovenia. The goal of the association, concerning general interest and social utility, is to gather, within a single organization, the European Sensory Science Society (E3S), all national organisations that deal with sensory science and operate in European countries. Mission: Facilitate the growth of Sensory Science; Promote co-operation, shared goals, integration of activities and knowledge, information exchange amongst national sensory science organisations in Europe; Establish, maintain and enhance the professional status of sensory scientists; Develop and disseminate research, innovation and education in sensory science.
The Latin-American sensory network (SenseLatam): work in progress
The Society of Sensory Professionals (SSP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to developing and promoting the field of sensory science.
Mission: Advance the field of sensory evaluation, including consumer research, and the role/work of sensory professionals, for the purpose of sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, mentoring, and educating our members.