Open Research & Tools

We specialize in human-centered, qualitative research that sheds light on the interplay between people and technology, especially among vulnerable populations dealing with threats to their privacy, safety, or security. We also assist others with their research, providing support with planning, methodology, tools, interviews, insights, and next steps.

 Any project – whether it's still a broad concept, or whether it's already a robust product with a large user base – needs to know the answer to these questions in order to have an impact. 

We can help you uncover priorities, make sense of contradictory feedback, and articulate a clear design direction for your project. At the end of each phase of our work together, we deliver a design synthesis report, with quotations, examples, and concrete recommendations. 

Our deep expertise in multiple methods for fieldwork helps us craft a custom research program to address your team's priorities. We use a variety of methods, both in-person and remote, including: 

 
We keep the rights of all research participants front and center, using threat modeling techniques to ensure everyone is treated respectfully and ethically throughout the process. All our research uses a Participant Bill of Rights.

For examples of our past work in this area, see our Mobile Messaging in NYC study and On Trust and Transparency, our research collaboration with Luminate around the nonprofit funding experience.