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Greg Stucky appointed Chair of IFT Sensory Evaluation Division
Greg Stucky, Vice President of InsightsNow, has recently been appointed as chair for the Institute of Food Technology (IFT) Sensory Evaluation Division (SED). This new role entails Greg’s being actively involved with enhancing the communication of the division in order to assure the advancement of sensory research.
There are growing opportunities within industry and academia arenas in which sensory science is very useful. Greg plans to focus more on the SED committee structure, address the complex aspects of sensory within the industry, and encourage improvements of overall public relations in the field of sensory science.
As chair, one of Greg’s main focuses is to streamline the SED committee in order to attract more university students to sensory science. Over the years, IFT has seen a decline in enrollment, and perhaps this is simply due to student’s lack of knowledge of what a Food Science career has to offer. Greg also hopes to push local SED group members into leading sensory science public relation initiatives within their local communities. SED recognizes that the food industry is evolving and becoming more complex, which potentially increases the difficulties of sensory science research. Greg believes that sensory evaluation has become more than just a perceptual psychological affect; it is also directly related to consumer behavior. Overall, Greg hopes to convey this message throughout the SED committee.
Q: Are there any new and innovative methodologies revolving around consumer research that are particularly intriguing to you?
“The industry is still learning how to collect consumer and/or sensory data correctly. We need to learn why people behave the way that they do and how it effects sensory perception. Intriguing methods are those involving emotional and behavioral affects of consumer liking. Why do people really like the product? Methods linking ethnography to qualitative research is also interesting as well. How does a consumer’s situation affect sensory perception?”
Q: What is one thing that is exciting for you and the InsightsNow, Inc organization in 2008?
“InsightsNow is pushing behavioral psychology relative to product testing. We feel it is important to understand the harmony of elements within consumer and/or sensory research. It is our belief that a holistic approach to consumer research gives the ultimate value in product testing. At InsightsNow, we aim to collect data that not only determines what product satisfies the consumer’s desires but also what product may fit the consumer’s lifestyle.”
Article by Natosha Simpson