E3S Next Gen WG: Thanks for chatting with us, Lauren! How did you first get into sensory science?
Lauren: I actually started my career as an analytical chemist. I discovered sensory science by chance when I was working analysing the flavour of Cheesy Wotsits! That feels like a lifetime ago now, but I’ve been in love with sensory science ever since.
E3S Next Gen WG: What is it that you love most about working in the area of sensory science?
Lauren: It’s the variety and collaborations. We get to work with such a wide range of people – like product developers, manufacturing teams, packaging experts, marketers -and that means we’re constantly learning and thinking about the best ways to conduct our research. No two days are ever the same!
E3S Next Gen WG: What would you say has had the biggest impact on your career recently?
Lauren: Being part of different sensory science communities has really helped, like the Institute of Food Science and Technology’s Sensory Science Group and the European Sensory Science Society (E3S). I have recently taken over the E3S Education working group and really enjoy working with the volunteers in that group – they are all so welcoming. We recently generated more than 60 ideas to support the development, education and training of current and future sensory professionals. Joining the ASTM E18 Sensory Science group has probably been one of the most beneficial.
E3S Next Gen WG: Why is that?
Lauren: Probably because I’ve been volunteering with the ASTM for much longer and because getting involved in writing new standards and reviewing existing ones has taught me so much. I’ve also made some great friends through it. The E18 group oversees more than 40 sensory standards, about a wide range of topics, like shelf life, substantiating sensory claims and evaluating deodorant performance.
E3S Next Gen WG: What does the E18 group actually do?
Lauren: We review existing standards on a rolling basis. Drafts are sent out as ‘ballots’ for members to comment on, and then we work together to update them. For instance, the panel performance standard was recently revised to include information about the assessment of raw data. We also develop new standards, like E3428 which was published recently, which helps with the selection and use of rapid sensory methods. Another new guide that will be very beneficial when published is WK76567, which focuses on best practices for cross-cultural consumer product testing. Most of the work happens in small online groups, but we also meet in person a couple of times a year.
E3S Next Gen WG: That sounds fantastic! Is it expensive to join?
Lauren: Not really! Membership is $115 per year, but right now, students can join for free, which is a brilliant opportunity. You get to learn how standards are created and connect with sensory science experts around the world.
E3S Next Gen WG: And getting back to the E3S Education working group – what’s next?
Lauren: As I mentioned, we came up with more than 60 ideas for the working group volunteers to work on, so we have separated those into six main areas: syllabuses, sharing information, running courses, databases, competencies, and the promotion of sensory science as an exciting and rewarding career.
The six different groups are meeting to choose what to work on first and how to best approach the different ideas. It’s been very interesting so far choosing the most impactful! We met at the E3S Symposium 2025 in Rennes, France, which is held every year, and discussed our vision, mission, aims and objectives. And we’ve been continuing those discussions virtually. We’re hoping to present our work at the next E3S Symposium which will be held in Zurich in March 2026. Maybe I can come back and tell you about our progress another time?
E3S Next Gen WG: Yes sure! It sounds like a very interesting group to belong to. How can people contact you if they are interested in learning more about the E3S Education working group?
Lauren: They can contact me on LinkedIn or via my email: laurenlrogers@gmail.com
E3S Next Gen WG: Thanks for speaking with us Lauren, and sharing so much useful information. We look forward to learning more about sensory science from other members of the E3S Society.
Useful links:
Lauren Rogers- https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenlrogers/
E3S Next Gen working group- https://e3sensory.eu/working-groups/student-early-stage-researcher/
E3S Education working group- https://e3sensory.eu/working-groups/education/
E3S Symposium 2026 – https://e3sensory.eu/e3s-symposium-2026-save-the-date/