Researcher mapping smellscapes of the world by following other people's noses

Christmas may be associated with the aromas of oranges and mince pies, but our towns and cities also boast special scents for the rest of the year.

- Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Now, one researcher is set to publish an atlas to try to capture these quirky "smellscapes" from around the world.Dr Kate McLean-MacKenzie, who first became intrigued by the sense of smell 15 years ago, said: "I realised there was an enormous gap in the fact that we communicate what we see - and we can record that and we can share it via Instagram and photography and sketching - and we can record and share sounds digitally.

"But any way of recording and communicating smell was largely missing."

As a result, McLean-MacKenzie, who is based at the University of Kent, began mapping "smellscapes" in different locations, including many of the world's cities.

This involves asking participants to take "smell walks" on the street - recording not only what they can smell, but its intensity and duration, whether it is unexpected, whether they like it or not, and any associations the scent conjures up.