Research Consultancies
Our research partnerships provide practical evidence and recommendations to help organisations navigate some of the complexities involved in using data and technology for social justice.
A research consultancy can start with a question
We can support you to answer questions about how data or technology is being used, or how it could be used, in specific contexts. You don’t need to know the exact shape you’d like the consultancy to take before you approach us!
In our research, we:
- conduct desk research and interviews
- work closely with in-country researchers
- draw upon our experience providing support in diverse contexts, and
- always make sure we’re not replicating harmful narratives that bolster systems of oppression.
Once we start working with you, we develop a plan that is tailored to you and your context. We draw upon a variety of research, design and engagement practices to both answer questions and draw out important insights that others can learn from.
Much of our published research has emerged from consultancy partnerships. Since we don’t want to keep learnings private, we publish our findings publicly – always in collaboration with the partner – wherever possible.
Consulting Partnerships
Our consulting partnerships help organisations pursue data and tech practices, policies, projects and approaches that are effective, human-centred and responsible.
What we can support you with
Clarifying tech needs and choosing effective, responsible approaches can be complex. We can help your team navigate internal data and tech discussions, identify tools and workflows that will work for you, and refine the ways you’re using tech and data in your external projects.
Challenges organisations come to us with
Partners come to us with a variety of tech- and data-related challenges. Here are just a few examples:
- A persistent feeling that they should be thinking about an internal tech process more carefully, or that they would like to spend more time thinking about security.
- A clear need (say, for a new database or CRM), combined with a desire to identify both the platform that will actually meet their needs and the adoption process that will be best for their team.
- An interest in incorporating an emerging technology, like artificial intelligence – but a need to ensure they do so responsibly.
How a consulting partnership works
Once we start working with you in a consulting partnership, we develop a plan tailored to you and your context. The plan could include things like identifying and analysing available tools, talking to security practitioners about specific needs, surveying your staff to gauge needs, and more.
Who we work with
Consultancy partners are typically civil society organisations working towards social justice who are ready to deepen the way they work with data and technology and have funding to support that process.