Research

- Understand the complex forces behind seemingly intractable social problems
- Resolve questions and assumptions that threaten a program’s impact
- Uncover the hidden factors that shape an organization’s ability to deliver on its mandate
Design Research
To reach and serve people better, institutions need a comprehensive understanding of those people—including their motivations, interests, skills, and constraints. Through one-on-one interviews, focus groups, service trials, and participant observation, we unearth salient demographic and psychographic characteristics, and behavior patterns. Through synthesis and visual design, we create user personas, journeys, and maps that help clients see new ways forward.
See how we provided New York City with a vividly clear picture of how more residents can solve community problems using public data.
Political Economy Analysis
Through primary research grounded in ethnographic methods, we create a nuanced understanding of the issue at hand—including the people and institutions involved, as well as cultural, political, and economic factors. Our research enables empathy and generates the actionable insights needed to design solutions that are impactful, feasible, and sustainable.
See how our insights helped one humanitarian program make sure aid actually reached those in need.
Institutional Ethnography
To help organizations innovate, we reveal the factors—both formal and informal—that shape the behaviors of staff and partners. Through immersive investigation, process modeling, and landscape analysis, we create a comprehensive portrait of how decisions are made in practice (as opposed to on paper) and identify opportunities for change.
See how our deep research helped reveal the hidden drivers and enablers of corruption in one Nigerian state—and creative ways to address it.