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Research:

Making good decisions to support our strategy

To support our new strategy, we are taking a fresh look at what different groups of people need from IMechE. The goal is to ensure everything the Institution does supports our engineering community and delivers on our mission of improving the world through engineering.

To do this, we have engaged with specialist research consultants, Research by Design, to run both qualitative (interview) and quantitative (survey) research. 

Why should I get involved?

IMechE is on a journey to achieve our vision of being a global, inclusive, and digitally enabled engineering community.

If you are reading this, you are part of our engineering community.

We can only achieve our vision if the whole engineering community engages with us. We hope that you find this already a positive experience, however we know we can be better, more relevant, more useful, and make you feel like engaging with us is worthwhile.

To make these improvements, we want to know what you want from us. Responding to our research is the best way you can tell us what we can do better, and how IMechE can be a community you are proud to be part of.

The first phase of interviews and survey-based research has now been completed. We received over 8,000 responses and will be sharing key insights from the research in the spring of 2024.

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about our research programme, please contact



Frequently asked questions

Why is IMechE undertaking this research?

IMechE is looking to undertake research to support their new strategy which launched in June 2023. IMechE’s vision for 2030 is to be a global, inclusive, and digitally enabled engineering community. The aim is to reimagine the value proposition for all members and customers to align with their wants and needs.

To achieve this, IMechE is embarking on an ongoing period of consultation with a range of audiences, including members, former members, event attendees, training customers, employers, and the wider profession. 

The first piece of research will be a specific consultation with members and former members.

What type of consultation has been commissioned?

IMechE has commissioned Research by Design, an independent market research company to conduct in-depth interviews and then a widescale online survey with current and former members.

What assurances do I have that Research by Design is a legitimate market research company?

Research by Design is an independent market research company that has been commissioned by IMechE to undertake research on its behalf. Research by Design operates under the Market Research Society’s (MRS) Code of Conduct, which ensures that research participants’ anonymity is protected and that information provided is kept strictly confidential.

Research by Design’s website is: http://www.researchbydesign.co.uk

What about data protection?

Research by Design is registered as a Data Controller to undertake research in any field, including market, health, lifestyle, scientific or technical research, under the UK GDPR and the EU GDPR as applicable; registration number Z5405593. 

Research by Design is committed to meeting the requirements of the following laws and codes: 
• The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018
• The EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR)
• ICC/ESOMAR (European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research) International Code on Market and Social Research. 

You can review Research by Design’s privacy policy here: Privacy Policy. 

IMechE and Research by Design have both Confidentiality and Data Processing Agreements in place to protect the privacy and security of all information exchanged.

How will I be invited to participate in the interviews?

Research by Design will send invitations by email to a proportion of members and former members to invite them to participate in the interviews. These emails will come from a @boxdelta.com email address, which is the legal entity name for Research by Design.

If IMechE do not hold an email address for a member, their renewal letter will include information on how to take part, which will ask them to call a telephone number starting +44 (0)20 7227.

How will I be invited to participate in the online survey?

Research by Design will send email invitations to participate in the survey directly to members and lapsed members, to maintain the anonymity of responses. The email ‘from’ address will be feedback@researchbydesign.co.uk and every email invitation will include a link to this page on the IMechE website.

Is the online survey secure?

Respondent data is encrypted in transit (via HTTPS) and is stored encrypted in EU data centres.

How is the online survey being undertaken?

The survey is available online with personalised invitations to participate sent by email. Each email contains a survey link allowing the recipient to be directed straight to their own version of the online survey. Reminder emails are sent at intervals throughout the fieldwork period to help encourage participation. Reminder emails are automated and IMechE will not know who has participated in the research and who has chosen not to. An opt out will be included for those who wish not to receive any reminders.

How long might the online survey take?

This survey will take around 15 minutes to complete, but this does depend on the answers you provide and the number of comments you wish to make.

Can I re-enter the online survey to make amendments or continue where I left off?

If the survey has not been submitted (by pressing ‘submit’ on the final page) you can log back into the survey using the link on the emails to continue where you left off at any time. Each time you move to a new page of the survey your responses are saved. 
However, if you have submitted the survey, amendments are not possible; you would have to contact Research by Design to discuss the options available.

How do I return my survey to Research by Design?

Once you have reached the final page of the survey you will be provided with a submit button at the bottom of the page. Your responses will be sent automatically to Research by Design.  If you do not complete the survey, then your saved answers may still be used in the analysis.

How will my responses be used?

All responses from the online survey will be aggregated and reported together. Qualitative insights will be reported thematically. All of your responses will remain anonymous and confidential. Specific comments will not be attributed to any individual (unless you agree otherwise).

What if I don't want to take part?

Every email sent by Research by Design will include an opt-out link or unsubscribe instructions to remove you from further contact about this research. IMechE are using "legitimate interest" as the legal basis for contacting you about improving IMechE for the future. These communications are not marketing messages and therefore do not require opt-in consent under GDPR and PECR.

What if my question hasn't been answered here?

If you would like to speak to Research by Design, please call on 0121 643 9090 or email Kat Grzeszczak, Research Manager, at kgrzeszczak@boxdelta.com.

You can contact the team at IMechE running this research by emailing research@imeche.org.