ESOMAR, the global organization for market research professionals, has introduced the ‘Young Researcher of the Year’ award, as part of its Developing Talent initiative designed to enhance skills and expertise in future market research professionals.

Entrants must be under the age of 30, and skilled in producing research with a commitment to human development, ethics and a ‘fair and just world’. The winning piece of work will demonstrate how research can significantly improve understanding of an issue and change the way we think and act.

An international jury of industry leaders chaired by ESOMAR will review each submission, with the three finalists invited to present at the organisation’s Annual Congress in Montreux, Switzerland in September 2009.

‘This new award will foster the abundant talent coming into the research sector every year. Encouraging and acknowledging young researchers to think out of the box while maintaining the highest quality research is a key condition for growth in the profession,’ explained ESOMAR President, Gunilla Broadbent.

Mentors from UNICEF, Barclaycard and IMS Health will offer guidance and moral support to contenders throughout the process.

The winner will receive a trophy, a feature in ESOMAR’s publication Research World, and two free places at an ESOMAR workshop of their choice.

The topics that have chosen to test the research skills of the Young Researchers are:

• Global Warming: How are green issues actually affecting consumers around the world - what do people think and how do people act - have people changed their lives?Making the world a better place - what are the successes and failures that have lead to developing new products and new services?What are the implications for accessing and using safe water in a depleted environment?

• World Poverty: The ultimate purpose of market and public opinion research is to create a better world for everyone. We research products and services to improve the quality of life for consumers. A more pressing priority is to use research to save lives.How can we use the creative tools of market research that identify latent insights to improve products packaging or customer service, and utilize them to solve the ultimate human challenge facing us today?How can we use public opinion tools to develop new research methodologies, ask penetrating questions, identify psychological insights, tell stories, identify barriers to action and drivers of solutions, connect the dots of knowledge, and persuade people to act together to create a liveable world for all of us?

• Ageing: How can getting older be a positive experience? In today’s world getting older does not mean being old and frail. Advances in medical science mean that longevity is a positive experience and something to look forward to rather than dreaded.How can an ageing population continue to be healthy and productive in society? A healthy population costs less, is happier and is more productive.What are the “health economics” implications for an ageing population? What are the costs to society and the costs to the individual? How can these costs best be borne by all of those involved?

Deadline for the initial synopsis is 15 May 2009, deadline for submissions is 26 June 2009, and finalists will be announced on 31 July.

More information can be found at www.esomar.org/youngresearcher or click here for the submission form.

Source: http://www.mrweb.com/drno/news9793.htm and http://www.esomar.org/web/youngresearcher/index.php