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Agenda

9:00am

Arrival and Registration

9:30am

Welcome from AQR Chair: Lucy Hobbs, Boxclever Consulting

9:35am

Conference Chair Address: Peter Totman, STRAT7 Jigsaw Research

9:45am

Session one: Chaired by Natasha Ward, Acacia Avenue

The Unique Value of Qual: A Reminder of What We’re Fighting For

In a moment when qual risks being reduced to process, tools and speed, this session reclaims its original purpose: generating human insight that changes how people think, feel and decide. Part provocation, part reflection, we’ll celebrate the distinctive value only qualitative research can offer.

Kenny Fox, Davies + McKerr
We’ve confused process for purpose

Emily Rayner, Claremont
Case Study: Understanding barriers to physical activity for under-represented teenager girls

Claire Boorman and Sara Macmillan, Boxclever Consulting
Only Qual could do this

10:45am

15 minute break

11:00am

Session two: Chaired by Remi Sade

What AI Means for the Qual Researchers of Tomorrow

As AI transforms the research landscape, what does the researcher of tomorrow look like? This session brings together various perspectives to explore how researchers learn, which human skills will become more valuable, and how our industry can support the next generation of curious and impactful qualitative researchers.

Cady Crowley, STRAT7 Jigsaw Research
Safeguarding the Role of the Junior Researcher in the Age of AI

Rebekah Smith, Arianna Magnetti, and Fenella Twohig, Firefish
It's a Mindset, Not a Method: Speaking to the Qualitative Researchers of the Future

Sarah Hanney and Nina Hancocks, Ninth Seat
The 4Cs: Building the AI-Ready, Human-First Researcher

Laura Warby, Davies + McKerr
A New Era of Insight Requires a Different Kind of Team

12:30pm

Lunch break

1:15pm

Session three: Chaired by Ella Fryer-Smith, Do You

Extending Qual Bricoleurship for the Modern Age

In the changing world of qualitative research, this session looks at where we are currently; with an exploration of qualitative archetypes, the use of bricoleurship in action using oral histories & futures, and then ending on a cultural note by looking at the rules that make us.

Hereward Feldwick, Feldwick&co
The Eightfold Path: Alternative Archetypes for Researchers in a Post-Truth World 

Jerry Latter and Lois Harmer, YouGov
Oral Histories and Futures: the perception of retirement adequacy

Oli Sweet, Ipsos
The Rules That Make Us: The researchers guide 

2:15pm

15 minute break

2:30pm

Session four: Co-Chaired by Judy Taylor, Consult JMT and Susan Sweet, Sweet Insight Group

(Re)-Defining Qual in the age of AI

The afternoon session is about understanding what qualitative research is AI continues to mature, and whether our beliefs about what we do - and why - need to be re-examined. We will challenge traditional definitions of our business and our craft, and encourage everybody in the audience to join the conversation. 

Kevin McLean, Wardle McLean (in collaboration with Kath Rhodes, Qual Street).
Why Qual at Scale Means we Should Occupy Higher Ground

Jude Terry, Wren Insight
The Future of Qual: Feeling over Finding

Connie Flude, Inside Out Research
Between Grief and Possibility - Being a Researcher in the Age of AI

Alex Charlton, True Stories, and Steven Lacey, The Outsiders
Partnering with Artificial Intelligence

4:00pm

Closing remarks

4:15pm

AQR Wendy Gordon Pioneers Award Announcement

Presented by Steven Lacey

5:00pm-9:00pm

Down to the Rum Store for networking drinks, and presentation of the AQR Parker Prize for Emerging Talent and Best Conference Paper at the AQR Summer Party

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