STEMGuyana Director Karen Abrams last week launched a research and development consultancy here, aimed at filling the gap in data and research studies in various sectors of this country.
With a strong emphasis on collaboration, Abrams said that the company – Abrams & Co Research and Development Consultancy – “intends to work closely with colleagues at the University of Guyana and the University of Florida to conduct independent research studies which will provide valuable insights into sectors where data is currently lacking or unavailable to the public.”
She believes that research reports play a vital role in helping governments, departments, investors, and citizens understand the landscape they navigate.
“Projects and investments made without a comprehensive review of data and analyses carry significant risks,” she said, while highlighting the increasing number of requests she has received from potential investors on LinkedIn, seeking independent assessments of the investment and social landscapes in Guyana.
“While existing reports from institutions like the Guyana Bureau of Statistics, World Bank, Olo, or IDB can be helpful, many inquiries relate to specific products, local markets, or unique questions about industries or understanding of geographical regions and require reports that are not readily available. Many potential clients are also concerned about receiving independent reports,” she reasoned. “Some have also asked us to duplicate existing research studies or investigate industry claims.”
In addition to addressing investor needs, Abrams expressed her desire to conduct social research on various subjects such as local entertainment, banking, housing, and technical education industries, among others.
The founder of Guyana’s leading robotics, literary and maths programme for vulnerable children across the country, Abrams shared that she wanted to create a company that others would also see as being needed and also be motivated to participate.
“By shedding light on these sectors, the goal is to provide reliable data that can either protect citizens from prolonged abuse resulting from a lack of evidence or prevent industries and government from being unfairly criticised due to a lack of understanding of underlying factors impacting their apparent inefficiencies,” she said.
With a master’s degree in Market Research and over 25 years of experience in Research and Analysis, the current PHD student in Education Technology believes that she is uniquely situated to contribute to this growing field. “My current studies emphasise thorough research and analysis and I see this need being greatly needed in Guyana,” she told this newspaper.
In addition, this academic pursuit has motivated her to collaborate with her peers in academia to create a credible body of research on which entities, both public and private, can depend.
Abrams also took the opportunity to acknowledge the successful endeavours of STEMGuyana, which she and her children co-founded. STEMGuyana has grown to include a TV production studio, 41 IDBLab sponsored learning pods, 35 STEM clubs, summer camps, a parent academy, the hosting of local and regional technology challenges and the preparation of junior and senior teams which compete in global robotics challenges. Abrams attributes this success to the talented board of directors, leadership team, supportive parents and dedicated sponsors such as IDBLab, Tullow Oil, and the Guyana Diaspora, who share the vision and support the organisation’s long-term investment in the children of Guyana.
As the mother of five ventures into the private sector with Abrams & Co, she aims to bring the same vision, dedication, hard work, and market understanding to the research and analysis space in Guyana. The consultancy’s research will be independent, reliable, and credible, and Abrams looks forward to forming partnerships that will help achieve the organisation’s core mission.
