Biography
Catherine is a PhD and Senior lecturer in Advanced Market Research and was elected as a Fellow of RANZ in 2015 in recognition of her energetic implementation of a student placement and mentoring scheme, bringing together University of Auckland students and the research industry. She has been an active glue between academia and commerce.
As a member of RANZ Catherine has always erred on the side of heavy involvement, giving her time generously to the organisation of events and to conferences. She says a useful element of her career since 2000 has been her stint working within a research firm. “There are a number of nuances that the text books don't take into account,” she says. “I have tried to teach this lesson to my students through the implementation of a 'real life' practical project.”
What is the core skill of a researcher? problem solving skills,” Says Catherine. “Being a problem solver isn't just an ability; it's a whole mind-set, one that drives people to bring out the best in themselves and to shape the solutions in a positive way.”
What can the industry do better? Catherine’s focus is on the way we need to adapt: “Innovate, adapt some traditional techniques to better suit the changing environment and to harness technology and advances in computing.”
