Bayaz Zeynalova is a research director at NORC specializing in mixed-methods research and the management of complex, multi-stakeholder studies in the arts and culture sector. Her work helps arts and culture organizations better understand their audiences and become more responsive and relevant to the communities they serve. She brings creative problem-solving and attention to detail across the full life cycle of projects - in project management, qualitative and quantitative research design, data collection, and analysis, with a strong focus on community-centered approaches.

Bayaz’s work spans both large-scale national studies and localized research in cultural spaces, where she prioritizes direct engagement with audiences to understand how people interact with organizations. Her recent Arts & Culture projects have included research with OPERA America, Central Park Conservancy, the High Line, Americans for the Arts, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Cave Canem Foundation, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and others. Working closely with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science team, Bayaz co-led generative focus groups and helped design workshops that translated survey findings into participatory, forward-looking concepts for expanding community relevance. For a community-centered study with the Obama Foundation’s Home Court initiative, Bayaz supported research management and analysis for focus groups that engaged youth, parents, and program leaders to inform sports programming and explore pathways for youth engagement. Bayaz has also led a study with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), analyzing attendee survey responses across major city events.

Before joining NORC, Bayaz developed strong social research expertise through her work for international nonprofit organizations in the South Caucasus. She led and coordinated multi-stakeholder initiatives across sectors including refugee assistance, anti-trafficking, and public health, integrating research and evaluation to inform program design and delivery. She initiated and conducted studies examining small business environments, female entrepreneurship, drug use prevalence, and road safety, alongside program evaluations for organizations such as the OECD, German Development Cooperation, SOS Children’s Villages, and Junior Achievement.