Thread by @alec_h_tyson

Remembering @pewresearch founder Andy Kohut on the 5th anniversary of his death today. This @AAPOR heritage interview (w/ @c_deane!) a wonderful way to look back on remarkable life and career. A few highlights for me. Thread 1/n
bit.ly/33aq9Tf

Andy started his polling career @Gallup because he and his wife needed $650 to pay the hospital fees for the birth of their first child!
Began as a part-time position in evenings while he was doing graduate studies at Rutgers. 2/n.

He left studies because he was 'learning so much at Gallup' and excited by the variety of the work, including marketing research.
Columbia Pictures was an early client, including survey work on the film Easy Rider! 3/n

On his quick-developing enthusiasm for survey research and its possibilities: "I loved to do experiments!" 4/n.

Fast forward a bit to a chapter that's always fascinated me: Travels across Europe with @madeleine to do focus groups and surveys at end of #ColdWar as #berlinwall was about to fall. 'Pulse of Europe' report, foreshadowed @pewglobal. 5/n
pewrsr.ch/2Fb04vl

On first political typology report as early forms of what would become @pewresearch were taking shape: "Do the depth of academic surveys but with focus on the issues of the day." 6/n

On style he developed during Times Mirror Center days ... goal was to be "very comprehensive, do it quickly and write in a way that's *accessible to ordinary people*." 7/n

Chuckled here, re others in space at time of early typology surveys: "There were no competitors."
Reflects state of field then, but Andy was also fiercely proud of his work. Ethic was we were going to put in the work to do it the best and it was going to be the best. Simple. 8/n

Remarkable to see him recall conversation with long-time president of @pewtrusts Rebecca Rimel on need to formalize @pewresearch in a way that would ensure the work continued after their careers wound down. I'd say 💯 on that goal. 9/n.

On survey researchers, @AAPOR, facing challenges to methods: "we're survivors, adaptable."
Even a long-ago mention of the possibilities on non-probability research! 10/n

Profoundly, recalling a phrase George Gallup used to use that guides our work today: "public opinion surveys give voice to the people." What could be more straightforward or more important? 11/n

Andy died in 2015. Many knew him from appearances on @NewsHour @NPR and other media put public opinion into terms people could understand. His legacy is @pewresearch and the furthering of the field of survey research that he loved so much through organizations like @AAPOR 12/n

He was also a mentor and inspiration to many in field today, including me. I'm lucky he took an interest in my early career and among the many things that motivate me @pewresearch is responsibility to carry forward his legacy and meet the expectations he would have for me. 13/n