Gemma-Louise Austin – Research Hero
Gemma-Louise Austin, Tesco, Research Manager
Having completed a degree in food science and nutrition, Gemma-Louise started her career as a technical manager working initially for a sandwich manufacturer and then moving to Tesco. While in technical, she covered a variety of product areas and spent two years in central Europe working with its supply base.
Progressing in Tesco, Gemma-Louise moved into the sensory team, where her research career started and then became an insight research manager. Working within Insight, she has managed a team of researchers, covering a variety of different categories across own brand food, home and clothing and seasonal.
Gemma-Louise was nominated because "she has welcomed several generations of new researchers into our industry, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in Tesco and other businesses. Gemma is the role model for a people manager, from initial training in the basics of questionnaire design to career development and facilitating onward opportunities for her team. "
What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your career?
I am lucky enough to be blessed with two children aged 11 and 14 and like many parents, I am constantly pulled in two different directions to be my best as a parent and at work. On having my first child I could not commit to the global travel involved in my previous role as technical manager, so I took the tough decision to seek a new position.
By applying my experience and the knowledge gained from my degree, I was fortunate enough to move into a sensory research role, which could be office based. It was a difficult time being a first-time mum and taking on a new role, however, something I will never look back on as this opened my eyes to the research world.
As a working mum, I am challenged on a day-to-day basis, striving to be my best at all times, sometimes not feeling good enough. I know, however, that if I continue with the the right work ethic and effort, I can achieve success in both my career and be there for my family.
Who inspires you as a researcher?
I am fortunate to work in a world-class insight team at Tesco, and it is my team around me who inspire me as a researcher and fuel my passion to continue in this field.
Our saying at Tesco is ‘no ones tries harder for customers’, which always rings true. Everything we invest in as a team is for the benefit of our customers. Working with such a dedicated team that listens and acts on our research, gives me the clear purpose and motivation I need each day.
What will be the next big trend or development in the research industry, and why?
Obviously, it goes without saying that artificial intelligence will inevitably play an integral part in the future development of the research industry. We could all spend huge amounts of time talking about the pros and cons of this technology.
While not new, the broadcast of the ITV drama on the Post Office scandal this year reinforced the power of storytelling and this skill needs to be utilised more in research. While it may have been the dramatisation that ultimately sparked justice, the series highlighted to us as researchers the importance of getting the narrative right and landing insight with impact.
Ensuring that all researchers have the training and upskilling to enable them to become good story tellers is fundamental. There is little point in investing time and money into research if you fail in your delivery, and in Steve Jobs’ words, ‘the most powerful person in the world is the storyteller’.
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