AI was everywhere at EuroSense 2026. So were some very human reminders of what makes sensory science valuable. From digital twins and an imaginary “asparagus method” to palate cleansers and hallway conversations, here’s what the conference made me think about where our field is headed.

We know a lot about what consumers perceive and prefer—but less about what happens when products have to fit into real life. Our EuroSense 2026 poster uses sunscreen to explore how natural consumer language can reveal the sensory friction, workarounds, and moments that shape whether a product actually gets used.

Can thousands of everyday consumer reviews reveal the behavioral mechanisms behind real-world food choices?

Using Behavioral Topic Mapping, we analyzed Amazon chip reviews to move beyond preference and uncover how sensory experiences, habits, emotions, and context shape snack consumption.

I was super excited for this meeting since it’s sorta in my backyard (I live in the Philly suburbs). But also because I got to be part of the organizing committee.

I walked into ISN nervous, unsure how I’d fit among such an extraordinary roster. I walked out feeling energized, inspired, and grateful to have contributed.

Two days of rich, cross-disciplinary science reminded me that understanding food, flavor, and behavior requires more than treating people like machines. We need to embrace the quirks, the biases, and yes, even the cookie stomachs, that make us human.