We’re pleased to announce the induction of our co-founder, Dr Steve Jenkins, into the ASC Hall of Fame.
The newly created Hall of Fame recognises the individuals whose contributions to research technology have helped shape the insights industry as we know it today.
Steve and his business partner, Peter Wills, founded Snap Surveys in 1981.
And they have worked in close partnership ever since, spearheading the evolution of Snap Surveys software from small desktop systems to today’s sophisticated platform.
Steve is also widely recognised as an authority in survey metadata.
He co-authored the Triple-S open standard for survey data transfer as part of the Triple-S Group – and has contributed to numerous international standards bodies and governmental organisations focused on metadata frameworks.
Steve has maintained a long-running connection with the ASC, having spoken at multiple conferences since 1992.
During his acceptance speech, Steve said:
“I am privileged to be invited to join the ASC Hall of Fame.
“My first job was a bus survey 50 years ago for Bristol, analysed in SPSS. It was mostly cutting‑paper – because everything involved printouts, hole punches, and a lot of filing.
“In the 1970s, I met Peter Wills. Within 5 years, we had set up Mercator Computer Systems and I was writing software for what were then called microcomputers – machines so small and underpowered that today your fridge has more processing power.
“One of those systems was Snap Surveys, which was first shown at the MRS Conference in 1981. Now, 45 years later, it is conducting and analysing billions of datapoints across the world.
“I first spoke at the ASC conference in 1992, where Pete presented a proposal for a standard format for describing surveys – something that different systems could use.
“That idea became the Triple‑S Group.
“Alongside Pete, I would like to give special mentions to Keith Hughes, Geoff Wright, Laurance Gerrard, Ed Ross, and Pat Molloy.
“Sadly, Keith, Ed, and Laurance are no longer with us, but their influence is still very much part of the foundations of our field.
“Whatever I’ve contributed has only been possible because of the support, encouragement, and shared enthusiasm of my fellow ASC members.
“I am pleased to accept the invite into the ASC Hall of Fame and I look forward to supporting ASC’s work in the future.”
Congratulations from all of us here at Snap Surveys, Steve!
Please click the links for more information about the ASC and Triple-S.
