As Research Director in the Litigation Surveys and Consumer Science division at IMS Legal Strategies, Dr. Molly Spencer brings a combination of scientific precision and consumer insight to our litigation support services. She holds a PhD in Food Science and Technology and has a decade of experience designing and analyzing consumer research studies.
Dr. Spencer leads sensory science initiatives that help our clients evaluate consumer perception and make informed business and legal decisions. Read on to learn how her research expertise makes her a trusted resource for clients seeking reliable data about how consumers experience a product.
Q: Tell us about sensory science.
A: Sensory science is a field that uses the five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing) to measure and interpret the human response to physical stimuli. It is primarily used for food and beverage products, but can also be used for household products, personal hygiene products, and many consumer packaged goods (CPGs) that may evoke a sensory response.
Q: What attracted you to sensory science?
A: I love food and coffee—good food and good coffee bring people together. I was already studying food science in both undergrad and grad school, and I was first drawn to sensory and consumer science because I was interested in the intersection of humans and food. It was always fascinating to me to observe human eating behavior and preferences, as well as our sensory perception of the world around us.
In graduate school, I had the amazing opportunity to co-create the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel with the Specialty Coffee Association and World Coffee Research, a globally recognized tool now used by the coffee industry to ensure good quality coffee. It is projects like that that make sensory science very rewarding.
Q: How do you apply it to jobs for IMS clients?
A: Sensory science comes directly into play for claim substantiation studies, in which a client would like to make an advertising claim related to consumer perception and/or the senses. My background in sensory and consumer science also serves me in the context of our litigation projects in trademark infringement and false advertising. In both types of studies, we design consumer surveys to measure the consumer perception of a stimulus, whether it is a word mark, a logo, a package design, or specific messages communicated or implied by advertising materials.
Q: You have a lot of experience in food science, including in industry. Is there anything from that experience that is helpful at IMS?
A: The technical knowledge and expertise I have gained from my background are helpful in designing consumer survey research at IMS, enabling me to mitigate any biases that may come in the phrasing of questions, the types of questions, and the sequences of questions and response options. I also think it is very helpful to have seen firsthand, through my industry experience, how some of our end clients operate, so I can better understand their needs and objectives.
Q: You are developing a practice as an expert witness yourself. How has that journey been so far?
A: It is going well. I was retained as a consulting expert for several matters and contributed to dozens of surveys during my four years at MMR Strategy Group, which has since joined IMS Legal Strategies. My background and experience in food science, sensory science, and consumer perception and behavior, along with my years of experience designing research for litigation matters, give me a unique skillset and foundation of knowledge that I look forward to using more as the primary consulting expert in future cases.
Q: Is there anything about your work for IMS that you are looking forward to in the next year or so?
A: I am hoping to further build out the claim substantiation business, and there are some claims surveys in progress or in the pipeline. I also plan to take on more projects for which I am the testifying expert. In addition, I am looking forward to presenting a CLE seminar on claims surveys in early 2026.
Q: What is your favorite thing about life at IMS?
A: I love working with smart, competent, funny, wonderful people! I also enjoy my coworker Mary Beth’s dad jokes.
Visit the link below to explore IMS’s consumer science services and meet our expert team.
