The history and heritage timeline

History and heritage is important, and all too often we don't realise that until its gone. From small beginnings in January 1980, when a small group of qualitative researchers came together to explore the idea of setting up a professional association, AQR has today grown into an international organisation and the voice of qualitative research.

1980
First meetings to set up articles of association

1981
Inaugural open meeting of A.Q.R.P.
First evening seminar (March 11th, Speaker: Bill Schlackman)

1982
First AGM and founding of committee
First AQRP Christmas Party

1987
First Foundation Course

1988
AQRP registered under Data Protection Act

1992
First published edition of Directory and Yearbook

1994
First Trends Day

1995
Rose Molloy becomes Secretary to the Committee

1996
Louella Miles becomes AQR editor
Publication of first issue of In Brief

1997
First AQRP website launched

1998
AQRP moves to St Neots offices

1999
Directory goes online

2000
AQRP renamed to AQR and adopts new logo

2001
AQR/QRCA Joint International Conference Paris
First "Not the Christmas Party"

2003
AQR/QRCA Joint International Conference Lisbon
Publication of first issue of In Depth
Publication of online glossary (compiled by Gill Ereaut)
First Prosper Riley-Smith award, won by Luigi Toiati
AQR starts taking online bookings for courses

2005
AQR/QRCA Joint International Conference Dublin
AQR celebrates 25th birthday

2008
AQR/QRCA Joint International Conference Barcelona
First Pecha Kucha

2010
AQR/QRCA Joint International Conference Prague

2011
AQR uses Twitter
AQR Spark evening events introduced

2012
AQR/QRCA Joint International Conference Rome

2013
New website
Group Membership Scheme launched

2014
AQR/QRCA Joint International Conference Budapest
First Hub Webinar
Launch of Mentoring Scheme
Addition of Member Profiles to the Website

2015
AQR Business Directory goes online only
AQR joins LinkedIn and Facebook
Affiliate and Alumni membership launched
AQR Conference held in London

2016
Breakfast Bites introduced
First Eyes Wide Open Event
In Brief July issue marks 20 years
In Brief takes advertising

2017
AQR Conference [R]evolution in London
Breakfast Bites held in the North as well as London
Viewing facilities location and maps added to Directory
Group Membership index added to website

2018
AQR/QRCA Joint International Conference Valencia
First Culturama event

2019
AQR Conference in London
Breakfast Bites in Paris
Hub Webinars now on Zoom

2020
Courses and events moved online due to pandemic
Introduced Check ins, Masterclasses and Platform Roadshows
First AQR Parker Prize for Emerging Talent Awarded

2021
Continued with online courses and events
Introduced Book Club
In-person Christmas Drinks

2022
Some face-to-face courses and events re-introduced
20th year for AQR Qualitative Excellence Award
In Brief goes digital
In Brief Extra introduced

2023
Thought Leadership seminars introduced
AQR Qualversations Podcast launched
Increase in face-to-face events and training courses