Resources

We’ve got some amazing news to share – our Innovation Director Sarah Askew has been named a Research Hero for 2025 by the Market Research Society (MRS).

Each year, MRS celebrates researchers who go the extra mile to push boundaries, make a difference, and keep the industry moving forward. And anyone who’s worked with Sarah knows that sounds exactly like her.

Over the past 20+ years, Sarah’s worn a lot of hats – starting out as a qual researcher, going on to pioneer new methodologies, launch and lead teams across agencies, and now heading up innovation and thought leadership here at STRAT7 Researchbods. She’s a key player in the STRAT7 AI Innovation Lab, helping shape our AI strategy and keeping ethical innovation front and centre. Whether she’s diving into how Gen Z really thinks or exploring what consumers want from AI, Sarah’s all about doing work that has real-world impact.

But what really sets Sarah apart is how much she cares about people. She was nominated as a Research Hero for being a tireless advocate – not just for clients and colleagues, but in wider life too. She supports families as an end-of-life doula, trains NHS and care staff, mentors her teammates, champions mental health, and makes sure inclusion isn’t just a buzzword, but a way of working.

“This recognition is really about the brilliant teams I get to work with and the people who share their experiences so generously,” said Sarah. “Innovation isn’t about tech for its own sake – it’s about listening differently and acting with purpose.”

We’re delighted to see Sarah’s dedication, creativity and leadership acknowledged by the MRS – and we couldn’t agree more with their decision!

You can read Sarah’s full Research Hero profile on the MRS website here.