MRS Cements Partnership with Australian Body

The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) and Australia's newly rebranded Research Society have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) through which the two organisations can share expertise, resources and development costs.

As part of the MoU, members in both countries will benefit from a range of new and existing initiatives created when the MRS and The Research Society (previously known as the AMSRS) combine their expertise and experience. One example is a collaboration on the Fair Data scheme - developed by the MRS to reassure consumers that the industry protects their information - and MRS now plans to implement the Fair Data Portal developed by The Research Society in Australia.

In addition, the MoU provides 'more and better' access to training materials and tools for members, with an agreement in place to adapt the MRS' Foundation Course in Market Research, launched in 2019, for Australian members. MRS CEO Jane Frost says that after ten years working together, the cementing of the partnership is an example of how the international community can collaborate, by sharing the best initiatives and expertise from around the world.

Elissa Molloy, CEO of The Research Society, adds: 'The research industry face similar challenges and offers similar opportunities around the world and our ability to work together helps spread good ideas more broadly. During the Covid-19 pandemic for instance, we have liaised closely, sharing information about ways to assist our members and partners, to protect the sector and lobby government where appropriate, to the benefit of both organisations. Our members and company and client partners will benefit from the relationship with added opportunities for training and education in particular, and help us improve best practice across professional standards, ISO and privacy legislation'.

Web sites: www.mrs.org.uk and www.researchsociety.com.au .