The Lloyd J. Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund
The 2025 Scholarship Fund Application is Open!
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Application Deadline: December 15, 2024
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The QRCA Lloyd J. Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund provides formal moderation training at RIVA Market Research & Training Institute or Burke Institute to future QRCA leaders who are new to the craft, whether entirely or to a specific methodology.
Founded in 2021, the QRCA Lloyd J. Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund celebrates the life and legacy of beloved QRCA member, Lloyd J. Harris, a pioneer in conducting research among African American and gay communities.
The initiative honors Lloyd’s exuberance for teaching others by providing professionals new to qualitative research easier access to formal training to keep them in the talent pipeline. In the telling of Lloyd’s contributions as a Black, gay researcher, we uplift the stories of other researchers from underrepresented communities whose contributions in the insights and research field are often not told.
Why apply?
“I was very fortunate to win the 2024 Lloyd J. Harris Scholarship Fund, which allowed me to take RIVA’s “Fundamentals of Moderating” course, my first formal training in focus group moderation. The course offered valuable insights and guidance on successful moderation and provided hands-on practice in designing interview guides and moderating two real focus groups. We received peer reviews and instructor feedback, which was especially helpful. The detailed and thoughtful feedback focused on honing my skills as a moderator and delving deep into methodology. I have since been putting in practice several tips and tricks in my work. I am eager to further my knowledge and skills in qualitative research and continue my relationship with QRCA, a crucial organization for anyone working in qualitative research.”
~ Mariana Melo-Vega (SSRS), 2024 Recipient
“The experience provided by the Lloyd J. Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund has been transformative. Burke’s training gave me the confidence and skills to excel in my career. Thanks to the scholarship, I was able to attend both courses in the Burke training program and become a certified moderator. After completing the program, I was recently promoted, a testament to the knowledge and expertise I gained. This opportunity would not have been possible without the credibility and training from Burke. The scholarship has been invaluable, providing me with ongoing support as I grow both personally and professionally. The doubts I once had about my abilities have been replaced with confidence and a strong sense of professional identity.”
~ Gabrielle Rosser (Vital Findings), 2024 Recipient
The 2025 Scholarship Fund Application is Open!
APPLY NOW
Application Deadline: December 15, 2024
Winner Selection: January 31, 2025
Have questions or would like an interview about this initiative? Email diversity@qrca.org.
The QRCA Lloyd J. Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund provides formal moderation training at RIVA Market Research & Training Institute or Burke Institute to future QRCA leaders who are new to the craft, whether entirely or to a specific methodology.
Founded in 2021, the QRCA Lloyd J. Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund celebrates the life and legacy of beloved QRCA member, Lloyd J. Harris, a pioneer in conducting research among African American and gay communities.
The initiative honors Lloyd’s exuberance for teaching others by providing professionals new to qualitative research easier access to formal training to keep them in the talent pipeline. In the telling of Lloyd’s contributions as a Black, gay researcher, we uplift the stories of other researchers from underrepresented communities whose contributions in the insights and research field are often not told.
Why apply?
~ Mariana Melo-Vega (SSRS), 2024 Recipient
~ Gabrielle Rosser (Vital Findings), 2024 Recipient
Lloyd J. Harris and his legacy
Lloyd J. Harris dancing at the 2007 Annual Conference
Lloyd J. Harris was a pioneer in African American and LGBT market research alongside his brother, J.R. Harris, at his brother’s firm JRH Marketing Services. His passion as a research professional was to share the voices and perspectives of communities that had traditionally not been a part of market research and teach others the craft.
Harris was a long-time, active QRCA member, serving as Secretary of the Board of Directors from 1999-2001 and was awarded the 2006 Maryanne Pflug Spirit Award which is given annually to a member who demonstrates great spirit and collegiality.
Harris was well-known for his larger-than-life personality and exuberance for life. Friend Jan Lohs of Lohs Research nails it when she says of Harris: “To Lloyd, life was an adventure, and he was all in. To quote a mutual friend, Lloyd had an almost childlike curiosity and excitement about life. He had a killer smile and infectious laugh. Those in Lloyd’s presence quickly found life better, more joyous, more interesting…He was a gifted conversationalist, aided by his curiosity, openness to discovery, and genuine interest in others.”
Qualifications
- Applicants must be within the first five (5) years of their qualitative research career or first five (5) years of their transition to a qualitative research role at a company or as an independent consultant.
- The applicant must remain a QRCA member in good standing throughout the period the scholarship is active.
- The applicant must be an active volunteer on a QRCA committee throughout the period the scholarship is active. Preference will be given to applicants who have already been an active QRCA volunteer prior to application.
- The applicant must complete their selected moderation course within one (1) year of being awarded the scholarship.
- Applicants cannot have previously taken a RIVA Market Research & Training Institute or Burke Institute course.
- Applicants cannot currently be a QRCA board member.
- Only one scholarship will be awarded to a single company or firm. Scholarship awards are non-transferable.