The Association of Market and Social Research Organisations (AMSRO) has launched its inaugural Research Industry Leadership Awards to recognise research professionals who have made a significant and long-term contribution to the growth, promotion or advancement of the Australian research, data and insights industry.

The awards announcement was unveiled at last week’s annual AMSRO Leaders Forum, where more than 60 company leaders and senior executives from the research and data industry gathered in Melbourne to hear from experts on the continuing need for soft skills in a world moving towards artificial intelligence and automation.

For close to 30 years, AMSRO has successfully been promoting and protecting the research industry in Australia, including obtaining Australia’s first and only industry privacy code and obtaining research industry exemption from the Do Not Call Register.

These industry protections and successes could not have been achieved without the voluntary efforts of people who care, not only about their own business, but about the entire industry.

The Research Industry Leadership Awards have been developed to pay tribute to those people who have dedicated significant time, energy and expertise on behalf of the wider research community.

AMSRO president Craig Young said: “The thriving research, data and insights industry that exists in Australia today has been built on the activities and efforts of individuals who, over the last 50 years, have devoted their time and energy to building businesses, lobbying government and advancing our research practices to drive the industry forward.

“As the industry increasingly embraces technology, digitisation and automation, it is important that we continue to recognise the critical contribution that our people make.

AMSRO members are invited to nominate an individual based on the following criteria:

1. The nominee has demonstrated contribution to the growth, promotion or advancement of the Australian research, data and insights industry.
2. The nominee has made a significant contribution beyond that required in their paid employment
3. The nominee has demonstrated the highest ethical standards.

Nominations for the awards open on June 3^rd and close on August 30^th. The award winners will be announced at the AMSRO AGM special event on October 31^st 2019.