In this episode of Leading by Association, CEO Arundati is joined by Zupeng, a Generation1.ca first mover and arriver himself, and a member of the Global Research Affinity Group. Currently completing his Master’s in Survey and Data Science at the University of Michigan, with a research assistantship at the Institute for Social Research, Zupeng brings a rare perspective across survey methodology, international mobility, inequality, consumer research and applied data science and is also a member of the Inclusion and Equity Committee of which our Founder and CEO represents on the AAPOR Executive Council as Associate Chair in 2026 and Chair in 2027.
Founded, Chaired and formally launched by Generation1.ca Founder and CEO Arundati Dandapani at AAPOR’s 81st Annual Conference in Los Angeles, the Global Research Affinity Group brings together an international community of researchers from across professional associations including WAPOR, ESRA, Esomar and beyond at a member level.
This epsiode explores how researchers can better reach and measure populations that standard survey frames often fail to capture, from migrants and mobile communities to hard-to-reach groups whose realities do not fit static demographic categories. The conversation also connects Zupeng’s methodological interests with Arundati’s own work in synthetic data, diaspora research and immigrant futures, asking where AI and augmentation can strengthen representation, and where lived experience, community engagement and human judgment must remain at the centre of valid research.
This episode is a thoughtful exchange on measurement, migration, inequality and the future of global public opinion research. We end with getting on a team from the University of Michigan to our Fall Career Fair and Case Competition. Tune into the conversation below and watch this space for the full episode.
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About Guest: Zupeng Zeng is completing his Master’s in Survey and Data Science at the University of Michigan, where he is a research assistant at the Institute for Social Research’s Surveys of Consumers. With a background in Data Science and Sociology from William & Mary, his research spans survey methodology, international development, housing insecurity and racial inequality. He is currently bringing this experience into applied consumer research at the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
