AQR and Public Sector Research

The Association for Qualitative Research (AQR) is offering an innovative new training seminar on Social and Public Research later this month. Focusing on a wide range of research issues, the half-day is scheduled for 12th April and will be held in London.

The seminar promises to tackle a number of thorny problems. This includes how to use public sector research more effectively, whether new techniques can bring better response rates and how government advertising campaigns can be improved on.

The four high profile speakers will enlighten delegates on these key topics. It is hoped they will also steer discussion on new techniques and trends as well. Given this programme, AQR suggests that the seminar is suitable for anyone working in research, or for anyone with a professional interest in public sector work.

The confirmed presentations will kick-off with Guy Rubin, public consultation manager for the Greater London Authority. He is due to provide an overview of how qualitative research is helping to inform policy decisions. Next, Alan Hedges, independent consultant, will add to this and explain the new research techniques being used to influence central government policy. Then Ian Theo, research manager at COI Communications, will address the complex issue of how central government puts research to practical use, particularly in developing advertising campaigns.

The seminar will conclude with Neil Goodlad, the senior planner at Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, who will illustrate how detailed qualitative research can assist in planning a government advertising campaign. The whole session will be chaired by Tim Porter, director of Cragg Ross Dawson.

Ann Whalley, AQR Chair, commented 'The excellent line up of speakers at this seminar will ensure a very informative and lively session. Increasing amounts of research are being conducted by the public sector, in particular for Central Government, and understanding its implications is vitally important for researchers working in this arena. This new seminar will throw light on areas that researchers may previously have been unclear on and is likely to cause lively debate.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.