The Association for Olfaction Research (AOR) is deeply committed to broadening the reach of olfactory science beyond academic and professional circles. Through structured outreach programs, we aim to inspire the next generation of researchers, raise public awareness about the importance of smell in health and daily life, and foster meaningful connections between science and society. Our outreach initiatives are designed to be sustainable, scalable, and impactful, leveraging the expertise of our members and partners.
Key Outreach Programs
AOR sustains a diverse range of outreach activities including public lectures and science communication workshops, industry-academia collaboration forums, online webinars and open-access resource sharing, mentorship programs for young researchers, and participation in national and international science festivals. We also organize specialized training sessions on digital olfaction, sensor technology, and AI applications in sensory science. These programs are open to students, educators, professionals, and enthusiasts, creating a vibrant ecosystem for knowledge exchange.
School Children & Youth Initiatives
A special focus of AOR’s outreach is early science education. We run “Wonder of Smell” school programs — interactive workshops and hands-on sessions for school children (Classes 6–12) that introduce basic concepts of olfactory biology, chemistry of odors, and sensory science through fun experiments, storytelling, and simple sensor demonstrations. We also offer summer/winter science camps, school outreach lectures, and student project mentorship where children can explore topics like “How AI can smell” or “Why smell matters for health.” These initiatives aim to spark curiosity and encourage STEM careers from a young age.
Impact & Participation
All outreach activities are supported by our expert members and institutional partners. Schools, colleges, NGOs, and science clubs interested in hosting AOR programs can reach out to our Outreach Committee. We provide free or subsidized resources, expert speakers, and activity kits wherever possible, especially for under-resourced institutions. By participating in these programs, members contribute to societal impact while gaining valuable science communication experience.
Get Involved
Whether you are a researcher, educator, student, or organization, there are many ways to join AOR’s outreach efforts — as a volunteer speaker, mentor, host institution, or sponsor. Together, we can make olfactory science accessible, exciting, and relevant to people of all ages.