New Sensory Science Centre
The University of Reading and the independent market research group MMR Research Worldwide Ltd, are pleased to announce the launch of the Sensory Science Centre in the Department of Food Biosciences. Based in the recently upgraded sensory facility in the Department, the collaboration is already providing high quality sensory evaluation data for MMR's blue-chip food, drink and healthcare clients and the University's research and teaching programmes.
The Centre uses a panel of professional sensory assessors, all recruited from the local community, who have been trained to evaluate the taste qualities of a wide range of products, and it is fitted with the latest computerised data capture software from Compusense Inc. Sensory evaluation is an essential tool for optimising consumer acceptance of food products. It is also vital in gaining understanding of how we perceive flavour, taste and texture in food. The panel is managed directly by MMR's Sensory Manager, Phiala Mehring, working in close collaboration with Dr Lisa Methven, lecturer in Sensory Science at the University.
Professor Don Mottram from the University heralded the joint-venture as a "major boost to the teaching of sensory science at Reading, and a fantastic research resource". He added, "our relationship with MMR brings about the fusion of science and commerce, creating a unique sensory resource."
MMR Chairman, Professor David Thomson said "we've been collaborating with the University of Reading for many years. When we decided to bring MMR's sensory evaluation in-house, Food Biosciences was the obvious choice for the facility, which we have been developing since January. I'm delighted with the outcome and look forward to a fruitful business relationship with the University."
ENDS
Coverage so far:
- MRWeb
- Research email newsletter from MRS
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact Professor Don Mottram on +44 (0) 118 378 8712 d.s.mottram@reading.ac.uk or Professor David Thomson on 01491 824 999 d.thomson@mmr-research.com. Food Biosciences is the largest University department of its kind in the UK, and has 21 full-time academic staff. It is renowned for its excellence in teaching and research and achieved a rating of '5' in the last Research Assessment Exercise, recognising the national and international quality of our work, and an 'Excellent' rating in the Teaching Quality Audit. The overall aim of the Department is to deliver international levels of research and teaching in the food biosciences using modern advanced technologies and inter-disciplinary expertise.
Research is supported by an annual external income of around £2.5million. We have leading expertise which focuses on three key aspects of Food Biosciences: Human Nutrition; Food and Bioprocessing Sciences; Food Microbial Sciences.
The University of Reading is ranked as one of the UK's top research-intensive universities. The quality and diversity of the University's research and teaching is recognised internationally as one of the top 200 universities in the world. The University is home to more than 50 research centres, many of which are recognised as international centres of excellence such as agriculture, biological and physical sciences, European histories and cultures, and meteorology.
The most recent Research Assessment Exercise confirms our strengths, with 20 departments being awarded top ratings of 5 or above. Of these, Archaeology, English, Italian, Meteorology and Psychology each received a 5** rating in recognition of their high quality sustained over more than a decade. The University takes a real-world perspective to its research and is consistently one of the most popular higher education choices in the UK.
MMR Research Worldwide is a global leader in consumer and sensory research for food, drink and other Consumer Packaged Goods. Set up 19 years ago, the company has many category leading brands as regular clients. MMR continues to innovate in terms of its research methods, bringing together the experience of its employees in food science, research, sensory science, marketing, psychology and statistics. The company has offices in Wallingford, near Oxford, and White Plains, New York. It is part of the MMR Group, also home to leaders in healthcare research (HRW), online research (Qubiq Online) and face to face fieldwork (UKFS). Approximately 100 people are employed by the group which has a turnover of £16 million.
The Sensory Science Centre facility is fitted with the latest computerised data capture software which has been provided under license by Compusense Inc. www.compusense.com