Every project could be better.
From conceptualizing to executing to debriefing, every project could be better. To set up your project for success, you need a coherent research design coupled to a feasible project plan. If your project hits a snag, you need to reorient your project to serve the needs you have (not the needs you anticipated). As you finish up, you need to encapsulate your results to prepare for the next project and debrief your community on how you served.
Everyone needs help with their projects, from brand-new emerging researchers to seasoned experts with decades of experience. I love enabling excellence in your projects, no matter what stage you’re in.
Every researcher could be better.
Research is a human endeavor. The best way to improve your research skills is through intentional coaching and mentoring, as grounded in your projects and interests. Bring your voice to our scholarly conversation, and ask for the help you need to grow.
I love supporting growth in our community through fostering excellence in researchers at any stage in their careers.
How can I help?
Coaching and mentoring: ongoing meetings for focused growth
All researchers can grow their skills and improve their projects. I’ve coached and mentored hundreds of educators and researchers at all stages. Let’s focus on you and your project: what are you struggling with? what growth do you want to experience?
Depending on your needs, I can serve as an advisory board member, project evaluator, dissertation committee member, critical friend, or research coach.
Let’s start with a design consultation to figure out your needs and my capacity.
Research design and project planning
How could your project be better? My favorite time to interact with your project is at the beginning, when you’re conceptualizing what to do and how to do it. I want to help your projects engage your passion, serve your community, and generate new knowledge for all. A strong research design coupled to an iterative project plan is your project’s best chance for excellence.
Along the way, you may find that changing circumstances mean you need to pivot your project midstream. This is normal, if frustrating. Figuring out how to pivot can be hard, but you probably have more options than you realize.
If you’d like to talk through your next project (or your next pivot), let’s start with a design consultation.
Preparing grant proposals and publishing papers
Many researchers struggle to share their work. Maybe you’re thinking about a paper, but you can’t quite get words on the page and the argument to flow. Maybe you’d like to write a grant proposal, but you’re not sure how to structure it or what to include. With my collaborators, I’ve authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers in STEM education. As a co-Director of PEER, I’ve pushed another 100+ towards publication. When I served as a program officer at the NSF, I talked to hundreds of PIs about their projects and our solicitations. I love this work so much.
If you’d like to talk through your next paper or proposal idea, let’s start with a design consultation.
Workshops and masterclasses: group activities for collective growth
Research is a collaborative endeavor, and humans learn best from other humans. If you’ve got a group already – or you’d like to convene one – I offer on-site workshops and masterclasses tuned to your needs so that you can grow together. Topics range from gentle introductions to more advanced deep-dives. My workshops are interactive, high-energy, and dynamic. Be prepared to work.
Let’s start with a zoom call to talk about audience, topic, scope, and timing.
Asynchronous resources
Looking for ongoing resources to read or share? I wrote Research: A Practical Handbook for you and your students. The chapters in the Handbook are short, friendly, and practical. The Handbook is freely available online, and will soon be available in print.
My blog covers additional topics.
Want to suggest another topic for me to write about? Email me.