How to Use Our Senses to Enhance Social, Cognitive, and Emotional Well-being

While people often complain about sensory overload, of being bombarded by too much information, the real problem with much of modern life is one of sensory imbalance. That is, too much stimulation of the higher, rational senses (sight and sound), and a neglect of the more emotional senses (of touch, smell, and taste).

In his talk, Charles will show how any one of us can use the power of all our senses for happier, healthier living, be it in the home, at work, while at the gym, or even in a healthcare setting.

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Professor Charles Spence is an experimental psychologist at Oxford University where he leads the Crossmodal Research Laboratory. Much of his research investigates the interaction of our five senses and how they affect our perception. For example, how does the sound of a crisp affect our perception of its taste and texture?

Charles works extensively with the private sector and has research partners as varied as Heston Blumenthal, Toyota and the European Space Station. Some of his most popular work has focussed on the design of enhanced food and drink experiences, through collaborations with chefs, baristas, mixologists, chocolatiers and perfumiers.

Penguin recently published his latest book, Sensehacking – How to Use the Power of Your Senses for Happier, Healthier Living. His previous book was Gastrophysics: The New Science of Eating.