Editor's Desk - Shaping the Future
Every edition of a newsletter captures a moment in time. This one, perhaps more than most, captures our profession at a defining crossroads.
The world of research and insights is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant conversation about what might happen—it is already transforming how we analyse, interpret, question and engage with data. The conversations throughout this edition reflect that transformation; from building AI tools designed around the way researchers think, to the evolving role of human judgement, the future of talent, and the new possibilities emerging for our profession.
Yet while technology is transforming the way we work, this edition reminds us that our profession has always been shaped by something far more enduring – People.
The journeys shared by industry leaders in this issue remind us that careers are rarely linear. They are shaped by curiosity, unexpected choices, enduring partnerships, continuous learning and, often, the courage to take a different path. Whether it is a journey from research to business leadership or reflections on how insights can create real business impact, these stories offer lessons that are relevant across generations.
This edition also captures the energy and momentum of our community. From initiatives that nurture young talent and recognize excellence, community-building through sport, and preparations for the next chapter of global collaboration, there is a strong sense of a profession that is becoming increasingly connected, ambitious and globally engaged. The announcement of the ESOMAR/MRSI Tech & AI Global Event in Mumbai in 2027 is an exciting opportunity to bring some of the most important conversations about technology and the future of insights to India.
For MRSI, this too is a moment of transition, renewal and purposeful evolution.
As Mitali moves on from MRSI, we look back with gratitude at a period of significant transformation for the Society. From strengthening MRSI's voice and industry advocacy to expanding its flagship platforms, partnerships, membership and engagement with the wider Research & Insights community, her tenure has helped shape a stronger and more future-ready industry association. We thank her for her leadership, commitment and contribution to MRSI, and wish her the very best for the journey ahead.
MRSI’s refreshed identity reflects this same spirit of evolution. It is far more than a new visual identity – it is about what MRSI aspires to be for the industry: a catalyst for transformation, a platform for collaboration, and a voice that helps the profession navigate change with confidence and purpose. Shaping Tomorrow, Today is therefore more than a brand promise. It reflects the responsibility of representing one of the world's largest and most dynamic Research & Insights communities while helping shape its future.
At the same time, this has been a period of profound loss for our community
In this edition, we remember the lives of several remarkable individuals who contributed to our profession in different ways - as pioneers, institution builders, mentors, colleagues and friends. Their journeys and contributions were different, but a common thread runs through them: the institutions they helped build, the people they encouraged, the standards they set, and the memories they left behind.
Perhaps that is the defining story of this edition. An industry is not just defined by the technologies it adopts, the methodologies it develops, or the size it achieves. It is also defined by the people who build it, the values they pass on, and the curiosity of those who take it forward.
In many ways, this edition looks simultaneously in three directions – at where we have come from, where we stand today, and where we may be headed next. It celebrates journeys and achievements, remembers lives and legacies, and explores the ideas and technologies that are reshaping our profession.
As researchers, we are trained to identify patterns, understand change and make sense of what comes next. Perhaps this edition invites us to do the same with our own profession: to reflect on the foundations we have inherited, recognize the transformation happening around us, and consider the role each of us can play in shaping what comes next.
We hope you find the stories, perspectives, memories and ideas in this edition meaningful and engaging. More importantly, we hope some of them make you pause, reflect, question, remember and perhaps see the future of our profession through a slightly different lens.
Thank you for reading.
With over 25 years of experience, Dixit Chanana has built a career at the intersection of consumer insights, business strategy, and growth, helping organizations translate data into smarter, faster business decisions.