Media Centre

Young Researchers tackle Global Social and Environmental Issues to Win Place in Finals

The Young Researcher of the Year competition encourages young industry talent, from across the globe, to submit innovative research projects that provide solutions to improving understanding of today’s most challenging social and environmental issues. The topics for 2010 are AIDS/HIV, Sustainable Energy and the Digital Divide.

ESOMAR received over 80 entries for this year’s competition and an international jury selected three finalists to present their projects at the annual ESOMAR Congress to be held in Athens, Greece from 12-15 September, 2010. The finalists’ projects were notable for their practical applications and ability to affect real-world change.

Gunilla Broadbent, ESOMAR President and Chairperson of the international panel of judges congratulated the finalist, “On behalf of ESOMAR and the jury, I would like to congratulate our three outstanding finalists and to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who submitted entries. ESOMAR is delighted at the increase in submissions for the award this year and we are very pleased to see such well-articulated and insightful projects coming from the young talents in our industry.”

Catherine Fish, BrainJuicer, UK - Sustainable Energy

Catherine’s research provides insight into understanding how to promote energy-saving behaviour through public information communications. Her project highlights how it is vital that individuals appreciate the impact of their own personal energy usage, and make changes in their lifestyles to reduce their personal CO2 emissions as far as possible. The project provides solutions on how to employ messaging in public information campaigns to further reduce energy usage, encourage habitual energy conservation, and make it easier to supply energy demands with renewable sources in years to come.

Abhishek Sharma , QED Research, India – Sustainable Energy

Abhishek identifies barriers in implementing sustainable energy projects in Small and Medium scale enterprises in India. India has over 3 million SMEs that contribute to almost 40% of gross Industrial value in the Indian economy. However, many are operating with energy inefficient technologies. His project highlights opportunities for implementing energy efficient technologies and addresses perceived barriers impeding their adoption. Abhishek identifies environmentally sound and energy efficient processes, while addressing both cost and environmental benefits to encourage adoption by SMEs.

Hannah Bowen, InterMedia, USA- Digital Divide

Hannah explores the impact of digital technology in Sub-Saharan Africa. As digital devices become more prevalent in the region, it becomes increasingly important to understand the internal dynamics of these technology markets. African innovators are deemed to be at the cutting edge of ICTs for development, but at the same time, studies show few people using the internet. Hannah’s project helps researchers address key issues such as the barriers that prevent wider adoption of digital technology as well as what public institutions and private companies can do to better reach, serve, and empower new technology consumers in such diverse markets.

The award winner will be announced the ESOMAR Congress in Athens on 15 September, 2010.

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For more information on the ESOMAR Young Researcher of the Year Award Competition or to arrange interviews with the finalists, please contact the ESOMAR Press Office.

Erika Harriford-McLaren
Strategic and Corporate Communications Manager
Email: e.harriford-mclaren@esomar.org
T: + 31 (20) 664 2141
www.esomar.org

About ESOMAR

ESOMAR is the world organisation for enabling better research into markets, consumers and societies. With more than 4,600 individual members in over 100 countries, all of whom have adopted the ICC/ESOMAR International Code, ESOMAR promotes the value of market and opinion research in illuminating real issues and bringing about effective decision-making.

For more information on ESOMAR, please visit www.esomar.org.