Webinar: Sensory & Consumer Research in the New Product Development Process – Open Forum Discussion

Join us for a webinar on what is Sensory & Consumer Science Research and what is the purpose/benefit of it in NPD?

Where does it fit into the NPD Cycle and what sort of questions can it answer?

What approaches can we consider?

Followed by an Open Forum Discussion.

Our Presenter: Jodie Hill, Research Director – Sensory Solutions

Jodie started her career as a Food Technologist and Research Scientist at the CSIRO studying off-odours and taints in food packaging.  Moving into the commercial world, Jodie took a role as a leading member of a Sensory and Product Guidance Team in a global FMCG environment.  Here, she gained sound experience and understanding of the requirements for guiding a cross-functional team from concept research to final consumer research, including the use of in-house sensory panels within the product development process.  

With a keen interest in current and cutting edge research techniques and a passion for extending the boundaries of sensory research, Jodie has gone from working within an FMCG environment, to designing and managing consumer research for major FMCG companies from an external perspective.  It is this thorough understanding and wealth of experience, combined with a real-world focus, which makes Jodie such a success in the development of quantitative and qualitative consumer research.  

Jodie has been with Sensory Solutions since 2003 and is certified as a Qualified Professional Researcher (QPR) which is peer group recognition by the Market Research Industry’s peak body.  Jodie is also a long term member of AIFST and involved with both the NSW branch and the Sensory & Consumer committee and is a Fellow of the AIFST. 

Diabetes has hit a crisis point in Australia according to a new report by Diabetes Australia.  

The 2024 State of the Nation report shows the diabetes is not abating, with type 2 diabetes diagnosis increasing in younger people. 

Over the last 10 years there has been 44% increase in the number of people diagnosed with diabetes between the ages of 21 and 39, and a 17% increase in diagnosis before the age of 20. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have some of the highest rates of youth-onset type 2 diabetes in the world.

Our Presenter:

Hannah Jackson, National Manager Policy, Diabetes Australia

AIFST24 Convention: Food Science – Navigating Our Future

6 August 2024

Day 1 only ticket includes Tuesday 6th August 2024 face-to-face convention sessions and the Networking Event.

The theme for AIFST24 is Food Science – Navigating Our Future. Recognising the key role that food science plays.

The convention will feature over 50 scientific and food industry speakers from across the agri-food sector. Key areas covered will include food safety, advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, advanced food manufacturing, AI, food policy & regulation, innovation, and sustainability.

There will be lots of opportunities for discussion and networking across the two days.

For further information, please contact the AIFST team on 0447 066 324 or via aifst@aifst.com.au.

For all partnership enquiries, please contact Clive Russell on 0407 066 188 or via clive.russell@aifst.com.au.

AIFST24 Convention: Food Science – Navigating Our Future

6 - 7 August 2024

Full registration includes both days of the conference and the Food and Wine Networking Event.

The theme for AIFST24, FOOD SCIENCE: Navigating Our Future, speaks to the challenges and exciting opportunities ahead for the agri-food industry and the important role food science and technology will play. 

AIFST24 will feature a comprehensive technical program and the great networking opportunities offered by our face-to-face event. 

Over two days with plenary and four concurrent session streams, the convention will feature over 50 scientific and food industry speakers from across the agri-food sector. Key areas covered will include food safety, advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, advanced food manufacturing, AI, food policy & regulation, innovation, and sustainability.

There will be lots of opportunities for discussion and networking across the two days.

For further information on this popular event, please visit our event website page HERE

AIFST24 Food and Wine Networking Evening

A key highlight of the AIFST Convention is the Food and Wine networking evening and the 2024 event will continue this tradition.

The event is a great opportunity to create new connections and reconnect with your industry colleagues in an informal setting.

Note -The Food and Wine Networking Evening is already included in all Full Convention Registrations and with Day 1 only Convention Registrations purchased for Tuesday 6 August 2024

AIFST24 Convention: Food Science – Navigating Our Future

7 August 2024

Day 2 only ticket includes Wednesday 7th August 2024 face-to-face convention sessions.

The theme for AIFST24 is Food Science – Navigating Our Future. Recognising the key role that food science plays. The second day of the conference has a plenary and four concurrent session streams, the convention will feature more than fifty scientific and food industry speakers from across the agri-food sector.

Key areas covered will include food safety, advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, advanced food manufacturing, AI, food policy & regulation, innovation, and sustainability.

There will be lots of opportunities for discussion and networking across the two days.

For further information, please contact the AIFST team on 0447 066 324 or via aifst@aifst.com.au.

For all partnership enquiries, please contact Clive Russell on 0407 066 188 or via clive.russell@aifst.com.au.

The AIFST Rise and Shine: Career Connect Breakfast will be held as part of the AIFST24 Convention.

This event is open to all students, young members and our 2024 mentors and mentees. 

The AIFST Rise and Shine: Career Connect Breakfast is proudly sponsored by ICS - Integrity Compliance Solutions

* NOTE You must be a member of AIFST and registered to attend the AIFST24 Convention on 7th August to also attend this complimentary event

Sharon Natoli: Speaking with Confidence & Growing Your Influence

A Short Course for Aspiring Female Leaders in Food Science

Due to the popularity of this course we are scheduling some more dates with the fabulous Sharon Natoli.

3 x 90 minute online sessions for female food scientists. Sessions will be held fortnightly over a 6 week period from Aug - Sept 2024. Registrations are limited to 25 so be quick!

Course outline-

Session 1: Barriers, Intentions and Challenges (13 Aug)

• Awareness of the barriers that get in the way of speaking with confidence and growing your influence.
• Why confidence and influence matters in the workplace – what you gain from developing your skills in these areas.
• How to increase your confidence and influence – a starting point for change.
• Setting intentions.
• Getting into action - fortnightly challenge.

Session 2: How to Increase Your Confidence (27 Aug)

• Fortnightly challenge follow-up and sharing
• The power of words – words and phrases you can use to enhance your confidence
• Standing in your power – embodying confidence through your body language
• Structuring your message for clarity – using the power of three to create rhythm and memorability
• Shifting from nervousness to confidence – how to manage nerves before you speak or participate
• Getting into action - fortnightly challenge.

Session 3: How to Increase Your Influence (10th Sept)

• Fortnightly challenge follow-up and sharing
• Speaking to be heard – voice projection and warm up
• Five speaking styles for influence
• When to use more words and when to use less
• Managing your state – bringing energy to your speaking
• What’s next? Intentions and outcomes.

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER:

Sharon Natoli helps individuals, teams and leaders find their voice, grow their presence and ignite their influence by speaking up with confidence.

Sharon has 30 years experience in one on one counselling, communication, media and spokesperson roles, and as an advisor to organisations in the food sector assisting brands find their voice through key message development. Her professional experience is complimented by her personal understanding and empathy about the internal barriers that hold people back from speaking up and sharing their thoughts, ideas and opinions with confidence.

Sharon’s philosophy is that speaking up is a critical ingredient for demonstrating leadership readiness and making the career contribution you'd like to make.

Food Science Fundamentals

Virtual Short Course

The aim of this course is to familiarise food industry staff on the basic principles of food science.

Understanding the language used to assist communication with other staff and customers. Identify how food science impacts and supports their non-science role. 

This course will be delivered virtually, and the content includes:

• What is Food Science?
• Food Policy & Regulations
• Food Chemistry – the building blocks
• Food Packaging
• Food Microbiology
• Nutrition – food and the human body
• Food Processing
• Sensory & Consumer Science
• Food Safety
• The Future of Food

The course is held over four (4) afternoons:

1. Thursday 15 August 2024, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM approx
   
2. Thursday 29 August 2024, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM approx
3. Thursday 12 Sept 2024, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM approx
4. Thursday 26 Sept 2024, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM approx

Only 30 places available.

WA FOOD INDUSTRY CAREERS NIGHT

Bring your questions for the food industry panel to help guide future graduates.

Entry fee includes refreshments and time to network with industry experts.

*Please contact AIFST for the student non-member registration code with proof of student status

Thank you to our event partner Murdoch University

The Recruitment Process & 'Ghosting' Behaviour - Webinar

In this webinar, A/Professor Connie Zheng will explain different expectations of job seekers and recruiters, and explore effective strategies for setting reasonable expectations in the contemporary recruitment process. Best practices for job candidates to showcase their skills and engage in constructive dialogue with potential employers will be outlined. Recruiters are encouraged to listen to feedback and create a positive hiring experience. Attendees will gain a clear roadmap to navigate each recruitment stage with confidence. With better communication and collaboration, both sides win, leading to successful job placements and healthier employer-employee relationships.

Our speaker:

Dr Connie Zheng, Director of Centre For Workplace Excellence, Associate Professor in Human Resource Management, UniSA Business, from University of South Australia.

Dr. Connie Zheng is Associate Professor in Human Resource Management (HRM) at UniSA Business & Director, Centre for Workplace Excellence, University of South Australia.  Dr Zheng has committed to sustained research and scholarship activities in the field of HRM and international business with focus on investigating both individual and organisational factors contributing to organisational performance and employee wellbeing especially in the multicultural and multi-generational contexts. Dr. Zheng’s research outputs have been published in the top-tiered journals such as Journal of Vocational Behaviour; Human Resource Management Review and International Journal of Human Resource Management. Her research findings have been used to enable organisations and employees to be innovative, resilient, and adaptable to the changing world with many challenges stemming from continued global integration of markets, people, and technology.

Read Dr Connie Zheng's article in theconversation.com here: Recruiters and job seekers are ‘ghosting’ each other. Can we save the lost art of replying? (theconversation.com)

QLD Branch: Food Waste & Nutrition Workshop

This will be a fun and practical evening allowing interaction, food demonstration and tastings, and conversations about the challenges of food waste.

There will be take home messages that can be easily implemented to reduce food waste effectively. An overview of the current food waste issues in Brisbane, Australia’s sustainable goals and techniques to reach these goals will be presented. Educating people on techniques to use at home/workplace to reduce food waste. Add reflection methods to review your own food waste habits.

Conversational cooking demonstrations on techniques to use at home/workplace to reduce food waste. Lots of delicious food to taste and recipes to be shared.

Thank you to our event partner ASKAFOODTECH.