What is a design consult?
Suppose you are working on a research project, and you need help. A design consult is a conversation with an expert about what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and how you’re stuck. Talking to someone else will help you clarify your ideas and work through challenges. I love talking to people about their projects. This is my jam.
Design consults are valuable for every stage of your project, from initial ideation to publishing the last paper.
You might be thinking about a new project, and you’d like to work on your research design or project planning.
You might be thinking about a new project, and you’re worried about how you’re going to evaluate your progress and show success.
You might be partway through your project, and you want handle emergent ideas or issues: thorny analysis problems, possible claims, or how to proceed with the next iteration.
You might be advising students in research, and you want to talk about how to structure their projects.
You might have questions about the ethics of research with human participants, and you want advice about interacting with your IRB.
You might be considering whether I could join your advisory board, serve as a thesis committee member, or evaluate your project. A design consult will give you a flavor of what it’s like to work with me on an ongoing basis.
Maybe you have other questions and you’d like my professional opinion about them.
A good design consult is focused on a particular question or set of questions about your project. We have limited time together, so being clear with yourself (and me!) about your questions and goals will help us make the most of our meeting. During the meeting, you will get real-time feedback about your project and and how to proceed. This activity is sometimes called “workshopping” or “formative feedback”.
Yes, sometimes, maybe.
As your project progresses, you might develop more questions or challenges later. I still love talking to you about your project, no matter what stage it’s in. However, my time is limited.
A design consult is not a replacement for regular advising or project evaluation. If you need ongoing help, this is not the right venue.
Consult logistics
How do I request a design consult?
Send me an email with the following information:
Approximately one paragraph about your project and its status
Where you are stuck or what your top questions are
A request for a design consult
If you have an upcoming deadline or intended timeline, what that is.
If we have interacted before and you think I might not remember you, remind me about where and how we know each other. If we haven’t interacted before, let me know why you’re contacting me.
You can sign up on my calendar
What does it cost?
It’s free, because: I love doing it, it counts as professional service as an academic, and charging money means paperwork, which I don’t want to do.
What happens during the consult?
We will talk about your project and your questions. If you have a lot of questions, you should prioritize your list, just in case we run out of time.
Can I bring other members of my team?
Of course! Bring as many people as you like.
Sure! But that’s not what a design consult is for. If you want a talk or workshop, check out some of the options for PEER field schools or research topics and skills. Or contact me if you have another idea.