Abi Allard – Research Hero

What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your career?
Realising that things are often out of my control has definitely (and continues to be) a big challenge to me. Being a perfectionist, I always want to ensure that everything is perfect for my clients, but in reality, things go wrong and it’s about how we handle those mistakes and the learnings we take from them that matter the most. Some of the most memorable projects I’ve worked on, and the ones I’ve learnt the most from, are the ones that were really tricky and challenging at the time (and didn’t necessarily go to plan), but were incredibly valuable in the long run.

What will be the next big trend or development in the research industry, and why?
A trend that we’re already beginning to see emerge, but I expect to grow further and continue to gain momentum, is automation. With increasing demands on research teams, automation will play a key role in cutting out the menial daily tasks, providing us with more time to dig into the insights and provide a greater influence in decision making for clients.

Who inspires you as a researcher?
I’ve been very lucky to work with some of the most talented researchers in my career, I could be here all day listing those that have had a huge impact on my career and inspired me to be the researcher I am today. However, it would be amiss of me not to mention Phil McCann. His unflappable nature and calmness in the face of crisis, as well his extensive knowledge of the industry and his love of digging into the data to tell compelling stories, continues to inspire me and encourages me to be the best researcher I can be.

View the full list of Research Heroes for 2022