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ICN RoR: The Independent Voice of the Insights Profession

Driven by researchers, for researchers. Insights Career Network Research on Research (RoR) volunteer team members leverage traditional and cutting-edge methodologies to provide unfiltered data and fresh thinking on the trends, tools, and talent defining our profession.

Since 2023, the ICN has conducted original research on our insights professions and the insights labor market. Thanks to one of the largest, most willing, and supportive professional communities, ICN volunteers continue to ask the most influential insights professionals about the most important issues affecting our careers.

We recognized early that conditions in the insights labor market were changing more rapidly than usual, so we started asking questions. The discussions with hiring managers and recruiters about interviewing and hiring practices were illuminating, thanks to our knowledgeable insights from industry participants, who were ever so glad to be asked about their day-to-day experience.

Building on that momentum, we expanded our Hiring in Insights Study to bring objective market realities to job seekers and recruiters navigating a shifting landscape. Alongside an in-depth member survey mapping the modern insights career, we launched a multi-phase study exploring the emotional landscape of our industry. Blending traditional human methodology with early AI-enabled interviewing, this pioneering research captured how insights professionals and the general population view themselves—and the future they see ahead.

Combating Isolation with Data

🤝 The Hiring in Insights Study

The Hiring Study (2024) brings a 360-degree look at recruiting insights and knowledge workers. We paired perspectives from 38 hiring-side professionals (agencies, platforms, client-side, and recruiters) with 32 in-depth interviews from job seekers to shape a smarter staffing strategy for the future.

ICN Hiring in Insights Resources

Job Seeker Advice

📊 The ICN Census* Report

Our comprehensive indicator of the overall health of the insights profession. The report uncovers real-world experiences, the disconnect between senior qualifications and market opportunities, and the massive impact of prolonged unemployment on emotional resilience.

ICN 2025 Census cover page

* “Census” is aspirational here. This is an ICN member survey we hoped everyone would take. We had 480 completed surveys.

ICN Census Resources

AI Integration & Testing

🤖 The Real World: AI Moderator Edition

Hands-on methodology testing. RoR researchers put AI to the test by executing the network’s first fully AI-moderated research study to find out where artificial intelligence shines and where human-led qualitative research remains irreplaceable. The subject? Emotions during unemployment.

ICN AI-Moderator Real World Resources

The Real World – AI Moderator Edition with ICN Researchers Melanie Solka and Brian Fowler  Watch the video | Download the deck (PDF)

Searching for the Recipe for Joy During Unemployment – ICN Researchers discuss a recent research project with insights professionals about finding joy during unemployment that leveraged an AI-Interviewer to explore sensitive topics. Watch the video | Download the deck (pdf)

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The Rising Researchers Initiative

Ongoing

We are actively partnering with academic minds, service agencies, technology platforms, and engaged volunteers to build alternative pathways for emerging research professionals entering a volatile market.

This study targets insights career professionals with less than 10 years of industry experience. It breaks down data gathered from 210 junior and emerging researchers, tracking their attitudes, primary career struggles, market shifts, and future outlook in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Featured Speakers and Resources

Navigating the Future of Research: Insights for Emerging Researchers

This collaborative session is tailored specifically to early-to-mid career pivoters and newer market researchers looking to navigate shifts in technology, methodologies, and hiring expectations.

  • Partnership: Conducted by the Insights Association South Atlantic (featuring Terrin Lawrence) alongside the ICN Research on Research team.
  • The Deck: You can view the framework and strategic advice directly via the ICN Emerging Researchers Future Deck.

Our Mission

Insights Career Network Research-on-Research efforts are led by Kahren Kersten and Z Johnson, who are committed to delivering an independent voice on the issues that matter most to insights professionals. By conducting our own volunteer-run and partner-supported research studies with our enormous community of insights professionals, we bring forward the voices and perspectives of the individuals who power market research, user experience research, behavioral science, and the strategies of our important decisions.

The RoR Leadership Bench