MRS Launches Network for Young Researchers

The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) this week announced the launch of its long-awaited networking group for young researchers, which will be called R-Net and aims to be an 'industry-wide forum', incorporating client and agency side.

Membership of the new group will be open to 'anyone in the first few years of their career who is interested or working in market or social research and related areas, such as data processing, operations, academia, advertising and marketing'.

R-Net aims to provide young research professionals with access to professional development opportunities in a relaxed, non-work environment, and will host regular talks by more senior researchers on topics members feel most relevant - they are likely to range from 'How to handle clients' to 'Moving up the career ladder'. Social activities will naturally be another high priority, and future plans include a mentoring programme, shared training materials and bringing market research as a positive career choice to the attention of undergraduates.

One of the instigators of the new network is Paul Vittles, Managing Director of RBA Research, who stresses that the R-Net is a response to demand from young researchers for an industry-wide forum of their own, but also believes that the industry should use the forum to get its message across to potential entrants to the profession. 'The market and social research industry is a great career option for graduates and the MRS is committed to attracting ever increasing numbers of graduates into the profession. R-Net is a positive reflection of this commitment and will offer the young members of the industry a valuable source of information, training and career support'.

According to Ruth Buchanan from Barclaycard, a founding member of the group, R-Net will also play a role in exposing client side researchers to the broader industry: 'Client companies can become introspective and concentrate more on developing generic business and management skills rather than specialist research skills. R-Net will help to restore this balance'.

The new group will be launched at an evening event on 30 September in London, with drinks and networking followed by a presentation from guest speaker Alnoor Samji, a Director of MORI, whose subject is 'Delighting Clients: Advising Clients to get Maximum Impact'. Tickets are available free of charge on a first-come first-served basis but must be booked in advance. To reserve a free place at the R-Net launch event email Rnet@mrs.org.uk or see www.mrs.org.uk/networking/rnet/r_net.htm for more information.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.