Cornelius Barry – Research Hero
Cornelius Barry, managing director, Rigour Research Limited
With 25 years experience of leading agency-side businesses (Market Probe Europe and Rigour Research) Cornelius Barry has worked around the world in both research and operational leadership roles as well as lecturing in market research to MBA students. Most recently, Barry has engaged with the industry to support various inclusivity initiatives and the industry charity the MRBA.
Cornelius was nominated because "he has always ensured his staff working alongside him over the years have received the encouragement and support they need, at whatever level; to him, fairness and social equity are key."
1. What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your career?
The biggest challenge has been navigating different standards and approaches to data quality and data collection in different markets across the world. It has been a fun learning curve understanding the cultural and geographical challenges in each country we’ve conducted fieldwork in. I’ve enjoyed it all and met some fantastic people in each market.
2. What will be the next big trend or development in the research industry, and why?
I believe we will see a return to basics and a focus on core competencies after almost a decade of upheaval in research … verifiable quality data and a rejection of big tech for big tech’s sake. The shift has been too fast, with too many companies reacting before reflecting on if it’s right. It can’t be exaggerated the impact that bot farms on one end and venture capital money on the other have had on the industry. A back-to-basics human-led approach where we look at the objectives, design and analyse quality data and feel good about the product we are selling.
3. Who inspires you as a researcher?
I’m quite politicised… a by-election for me is an exciting prospect even when it’s 300 miles away and seemingly has no impact on political decision-making at Westminster (but it does!). Sir John Curtice is a political genius, political scientist and someone I admire greatly. He has a gravitas and an unflinching confidence in his capabilities which can only be respected. A solid bona fide quality analyst.
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