Back to Research

I recently completed a workplace strategy for a major investment bank and I’m now conducting some independent research, which I will share later this year. 

I genuinely enjoy carrying out research, it was my first career, but more importantly research informs my core services of workplace strategy and design briefing. My academic colleagues may disagree, but research must be applied rather than blue sky or theoretical. It should also be conducted in a reasonable time scale, at an affordable price, with a practical approach so that the results can be quickly adopted rather than wait years for complicated research to be completed, and out of date when eventually published. 

Those of you who have viewed my website will have seen the animated version of the image below. As mentioned, research informs strategy and design but the workplace project itself may form part of the research. Collating data (such as occupant feedback) at the start of a project is essential for a successful design. On project completion, collating similar and perhaps more extensive data for comparison fundamentally forms the basis of applied research. The data collected can be used to create a case study and/or input to a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) then used to identify specific and broader lessons learned and any implications for future workplace design. For me, the workplace design cycle starts and ends with research – it’s a virtuous cycle. 

As with a POE, conducting applied research with clients is of mutual benefit and helps build trust and an ongoing relationship. Ideally the research is reported widely in articles and at conferences, but even confidential unpublished research is of enormous value for both parties. 

As always, I am available for conducting independent applied research and POEs along with workplace strategy, design briefing, change management and speaking engagements. Let me know if you want to discuss opportunities that benefit us both.