MRS names Research Heroes

The list includes individuals working in both client-side and supplier-side roles, spanning various functions, from operations to account management to those working in leadership positions.

The 25 Research Heroes are:

Raluca Elena Barbu

Michael Brown

Andrew Cannon

Inger Christensen

Ian Douglas

Caroline Frankum

Debrah Harding

Dec Harvey-White

Monique Hellel

Sophie Holland

Graham Idehen

Maria Luther 

Louise Maycock

Louella Miles

Priya Minhas

Minal Modha

Rose Molloy

Greg Morris

Lizzy Pottinger

Bob Qureshi 

Freddie Reeves 

Matt Reynolds

Hannah Rogers

Maria Schmidt

Gill Wareing

Following a call for nominations from the industry, the final 25 were decided from the list by a panel of judges including Unilever’s Gemma Bumpsteed, HSBC’s Lucy Watts, Kenny Imafidon of ClearView Research, MRS chief executive Jane Frost and Katie McQuater, editor of Research Live and Impact.

Research Heroes is an ongoing programme throughout 2021, with a second tranche of Heroes to be published in October. Nominations are now open for the autumn list.

To be considered for the list, individuals must work in research, insight or analytics (including support and operations) and have done one or more of the following:

• Contributed during the past year to make a difference in the sector or to support colleagues or the community
• Given consistent service for which they cannot be recognised with a professional award, e.g. a fellowship
• Have forwarded the cause of research, or causes such as quality, diversity and sustainability.

Jane Frost, chief executive, Market Research Society, said: “On our 75th anniversary, it’s only right that we celebrate the great work done by so many of the unsung heroes of the sector.

“They demonstrate the breadth of research and everyone deserves to be celebrated.”

The full list of 25 can also be found here.

To nominate an individual for the second part of programme, to be published in October, visit the MRS website and nominate before 30 July.