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We’re looking for pioneering thinking or doing
Innovative and novel approaches that have helped establish a new standard
Game changing actions or models of thinking that have resulted in a positive shift for a business, brand, community, culture
Initiating a way of thinking that has set the scene for others to follow
Approaches that have challenged the status quo or changed the frontiers of qual
Pioneering business or operating models
A project or programme of research/strategy that could be described as pioneering
Who can enter:
Anyone from the broadest insight community, including those who have conducted, commissioned and/or implemented qualitative insight-based solutions. This includes client companies and individuals, ad agency planners, marketers, agency collaborators, those who develop or use research and industry support services (recruitment, viewing facilities, tech, etc.)
Entry requirements:
Nominate yourself. Or nominate someone else. Or get someone to nominate you if you’d rather. BUT – inspired by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge – we believe flattery should be infectious, and if you’re honoured enough to be nominated, wouldn’t it be lovely to pass on the appreciation!? Nominees will be asked in turn to nominate someone else, and in time, we’ll realise quite how many pioneers are out there!
The terms of entry are:
Open to members and non-members.
Entry must include some element of qualitative research and/or its associated specialisms
You can nominate an individual, a pair, a team or a client
How to enter:
Nominations can be written, a video, or work that you’ve seen that you think demonstrates the idea you want to spread
Include your name, company name and email address and who you are nominating with their name/s, company name and email address
Once you’ve been nominated, please nominate someone else
Your nomination should be 1000-1200 words / a 5 minute video and include the following:
Introduce the background context and objectives of your nomination (i.e. What was the problem/challenge being faced and what about the solution was pioneering?)
Describe the detail and specify the qualitative research element employed, including a brief explanation of why?
Describe why you believe your nomination deserves this award.
A short-list of finalists will be selected, then an overall winner announced at a Special AQR event in late February 2026 (Full details TBA)