The Australian Data and Insights Association (ADIA, formerly AMSRO) has announced two winners of the Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award for 2021.
The joint recipients are Brian Fine, CEO of Australia Online Research and Quality Online Research; and Martin O’Shannessy, partner at OmniPoll.
The Industry Leadership Award was introduced in 2019 in honour of Jayne Van Souwe, who dedicated many years to the industry, particularly across governance, privacy and quality.
The award pays tribute to the leaders who have made a significant and long-term contribution to the growth, promotion and advancement of the Australian research, data and insights industry.
The judging panel, which comprised of inaugural winner Darren Pennay, and former Association presidents Nicola Hepenstall and Yvonne Wallis, agreed that both Fine and O’Shannessy demonstrated the qualities that underpin the industry leadership award.
Hepenstall said: “The judging panel was delighted to be able to recognise the contributions of Brian Fine and Martin O’Shannessy; two impressive and talented leaders who have given so much to our industry over many years.”
Accepting the award, Fine said: “I am particularly honoured to receive this award. The late Jayne Van Souwe was a highly respected researcher, and a colleague and friend for so many years.”
“My focus over the past 20 years, and that of my team at QOR, has been an obsession with the quality and accuracy of online research.”
O’Shannessy said: “Jayne was an inspiration and a friend to so many of us, and I’m proud to be part of an award that bears her name.
“I am delighted to see that ADIA has retained its sense of purpose and direction over recent years, and is clearly going from strength to strength.”
ADIA chief executive Sarah Campbell said: “The thriving research, data and insights industry that exists in Australia today has been built on the activities and efforts of individuals who have dedicated significant time, energy and expertise on behalf of the wider research community.”
“As the industry increasingly embraces technology, digitisation and automation, it is important that we recognise and value the critical contributions that our industry leaders make in guiding our transformation and ensuring our continued impact.”
