The Print & Digital Research Forum traces its roots back to 1981. Back then, it was the Worldwide Readership Research Symposium:  a biennial meeting of print media researchers.  But as the
content of the meetings and the focus of the publishing and agency business have evolved in more digital directions, it was seen as necessary to transform the WRRS of old into the PDRF of
today.  However it has retained many traditions that distinguish it from other media research organisations:

• The Quality of Papers and Presentations. The PDRF’s tradition, inherited from 33 years of Worldwide Readership Research Symposia, is more scholarly and intellectually rigorous than many other media conferences. Would-be speakers submit synopses of their proposed papers that are peer-reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts.  Only the best proposals are accepted. Programme participants must write a formal paper that lives forever in the archived proceedings of the PDRF (www.printanddigitalresearchforum.com), thereby creating a continuously growing library of literature on all aspects of readership measurement, digital research and related subjects.
• No Commercial Bias. The PDRF is self-funding with no obligation to promote the commercial interests of any of the parties engaged in its organisation.  “Sales pitches” are strongly discouraged. PDRF adheres to standards and norms more typically found in academic settings. We believe in practical cases studies rather than speculative theorising - with papers primarily judged on the strength of their statistical or experimental evidence, and not whose interests they may serve.  While “visionary” papers are welcomed, arguments should be supported by empirical foundations.
• Critical Discussion of Presentations. Each session is allotted a generous 30 minute discussion period to allow critical discussion and debate from the floor. Proceedings are collegial and friendly, but also feisty and argumentative.
• Global.  PDRF brings together media industry practitioners – advertisers, publishers, agencies, research companies, software companies – from over 30 countries around the globe. We particularly welcome newcomers who have not participated in previous PDRF symposia.

The PDRF Symposium will take place from October 13-16, 2013 in Nice, France.

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