About

We Are A Research Insights And Communications Testing Agency

We have developed our own proprietary methods for gaining insights into this wildly diverse and often-misunderstood age group

We also offer a specialised communications testing service,

Government buyers please note – we are on the MAS panel. Susan Bell research is on the Management Advisory Services Panel (MAS panel) under the heading Bell Settlement.

On any day, we could be conducting a member test with investors over Zoom, conducting ethnography about take-away food use, running a focus group about tech adoption, designing a survey about a health app, or decoding images of wellness among older people—to give just a few examples.

When you hire us, you’re getting a team of consultants trained in at least one of: anthropology, psychology, sociology, literature, linguistics, semiotics, marketing, behavioural science, and interaction and service design.

Our research has impact

Since we opened our doors in 1994 our aim has been to design research that helps our clients identify products, services and experiences that meet their strategic objectives and helps create a better world for the people that they serve.

We challenge the status quo

How do we do it? By fearlessly challenging client thinking and the status quo. The customer is always at the forefront of our thinking.

And are knowledge seekers

Learning is part of our DNA, incorporating disciplines as diverse as semiotics, plain language and sensemaking. We do this because it gives our clients deeper and richer insights.

What Makes Us Unique

  • We are the only Australian research agency that specialises in the new lives of older Australians. We have developed our own proprietary methods for gaining insights into this wildly diverse and often-misunderstood age group
  • We challenge our clients’ thinking and assumptions. We begin each project with the customer in mind, then apply the best-suited research technique to get the powerful insights we need
  • We aren’t just researchers. We use the research insights we collect to help drive tactical and strategic action and provide insights in a commercial context
  • We explore many disciplines to add depth to our research. Where appropriate, we incorporate disciplines as diverse as semiotics, linguistics, creativity, ethnography, sensemaking, anthropology, and mythology to enrich the outcomes of our research
  • We have a select group of researchers and insight partners with a broad mix of skills to effectively serve clients in various research fields (e.g. qualitative, surveys, semiotics, and plain language)

Experienced in research with the general public, customers and members, investors, and stakeholders, including small businesses – such as financial advisers and brokers – corporate management and C-Suite executives.

Topics include the arts, food and drink, government services, health care & fitness, infrastructure, insurance, investment, personal care, retirement living, superannuation, and technology.

Susan Bell leads the team. She is a marketing and social researcher, qualitative research expert, and conference speaker / webinar presenter, with an academic background is in English Literature, Linguistics and Psychology.

Susan is an innovator in qualitative research. She has been published internationally and has spoken at industry conferences in Australia and internationally.

Susan is also a known expert in research about retirement and is committed to helping governments and businesses understand the new lives of older (mature age).

Having studied language and technical communication extensively, Susan also used that knowledge to develop a proprietary content testing framework. This content-testing research service is based on plain language principles. This has given our agency the opportunity to work with clients, such as insurance companies who need various documents – letters, statements, emails, etc.– tested to determine if their audience understands the content and knows what to do next.

Suzanne Burdon Consultant at Susan Bell Research

Suzanne Burdon

Consultant

  • B.A.Hons (Sociology)
  • LTCL (Effective Communication)
  • Experienced conference and webinar presenter

How To Work With Us

When you work with us you will discover that we are dedicated to doing exactly that – working with you. Ours is a collaborative high-touch process in which ultimately you have control. This research is for you. Having said that our role is to bring our expertise and knowledge to the task you have set us. Expect us to come up with new ideas and expect us to challenge you.

  1. The best way to start is to send us a brief for the research project.
  2. We will then set up a a Discovery call to discuss the brief. There is usually a lot of discussion to ensure we understand the scope and objectives.
  3. We then create a a customized research strategy solve our client’s problem.
  4. We submit a proposal, followed by a Clarification call with the client to discuss it and make any adjustments needed.
  5. Once commissioned, we commit enough time to develop the interview guide/survey and for you to review it. We test it before proceeding.
  6. The project begins. We are always in touch with the clients letting them know where we are in the research process.
  7. We resent the findings and report to the client. Three revisions are included in the quote.

Susan Bell Research / Bell Settlement ABN and accreditations

Susan Bell Research is a division of Les Bell & Associates Pty Ltd.

Our ABN is the Bell Settlement ABN 44 350 636 020.

We have ISO 20252 accreditation and therefore have policies and procedures in place to protect and manage data. We have an information security management system compliant with ISO 227001 – though as a small business we are not certified against it. Nevertheless, we describe our security posture as ‘well above average’.

Please ask us for our Certificates of Currency for Professional Indemnity and Public and Products Liability Insurance.

Testimonials

We take the time to understand
Susan took the time to really understand what we were trying to achieve, proposed workable solutions that fit our budget, brief and timelines, and was flexible, approachable and responsive throughout our project.
Government Agency
Unquestionably professional
“I have always found Susan to be unquestionably professional in her approach to the research assignment, sensitive to associated business information and the often confidential research themes that resulted.
Financial Services Organisation
Collaborative throughout
Susan thoroughly digests the client brief (and) is very collaborative throughout a project from beginning to end and I believe this is one of the reasons that the end research product delivers more than expected.
Marketing Consultant
Global FMCG and Healthcare