Research in Focus: The Hidden Power of Smells and Tastes on Our Behaviour

A specialist in olfaction and gustation, Prof. Géraldine Coppin studies how sensory perceptions influence emotions, decisions, and behavior. Her current research focuses on food cravings—particularly for high-calorie foods—as well as sedentary behaviors. It aims to better understand the reward mechanisms underlying these patterns and to develop practical strategies for prevention and intervention.

To achieve this, her projects rely on an integrated methodological approach combining behavioral experiments, brain imaging using functional MRI, and observations in everyday life settings. This complementarity makes it possible to analyze with precision the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms at play.

Alongside her research activities, Géraldine Coppin teaches at UniDistance Swiss in several Bachelor’s and Master’s psychology modules. In this context, she highlights a central challenge: maintaining student engagement throughout their distance learning journey.

This involves offering content that is both accessible and academically rigorous, while fostering a sense of connection despite the absence of physical interaction. From this perspective, nurturing scientific curiosity and developing critical thinking are essential components at the heart of her teaching practice.