Celebrating 35 Years of ESN

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the European Sensory Network. What began as a modest meeting in a living room with a small group of dedicated sensory and consumer scientists has grown into a vibrant international community.


Today, ESN proudly includes 42 member organizations from across Europe, the USA, and Canada. Some of the founding members remain actively involved, a testament to the enduring spirit of collaboration that defines ESN.

Over the decades, our bi-annual meetings have taken place in cities around the globe, from Pretoria to Toronto, Reykjavik, Paris, Cluj, and beyond. These gatherings have fostered not only academic growth but lasting professional relationships, and even personal connections - whether through shared research projects or memorable experiences like cooking together in Barcelona or swimming in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon.

Through it all, we’ve continually advanced the field of sensory and consumer science, establishing ESN as a hub for both rigorous research and meaningful innovation. "ESN feels like a family, a research team, and an innovation hub at the same time,” says Patricia Silva, ESN Vice Chair and Financial Chair, reflecting on her many years of involvement.

As we look to the future, the ESN Management Board envisions the network as the go-to resource for impactful research in sensory and consumer science - work that will continue to have societal relevance and influence.