Notes on the practice of research.
Working ideas, method posts, and case notes from our team — published when we have something to say, not on a content calendar. 15 articles in the library so far.
AI vs. human consultation analysis: why humans still matter
AI is everywhere — and yes, it can draft public submissions at scale too. A view from inside a working consultation practice on where AI helps and where humans still have to do the reading.
What do we do when ChatGPT writes in?
More and more submitters lean on ChatGPT to organise their thinking. A working note from our analysts on how we read those submissions thoughtfully.
Securing trust: Global Research achieves SOC 2 Type 1 accreditation
We work with sensitive public, commercial and personal data every day. SOC 2 Type 1 is the assurance standard that says our controls match the responsibility.
The future of libraries
Reflections on the role of public libraries today — and what the global debate about what they hold tells us about communities and trust.
Seeing: the importance of infographics
A short defence of the humble infographic — and why getting the picture right is often what makes a finding actually land with decision-makers.
Don't be afraid to ask open-ended questions
Closed questions feel safe. They're also the easiest way to miss the real story. Why open-ended responses are worth the analytical effort.
Tips to become an influencer (in your community, not on social media)
How to make your voice heard in local decision-making — practical advice for people who'd rather change something than chase a follower count.
Selecting the best tool: more important than the tool box
On choosing the right method for the question in play — and the lesson learned in a cabinet-maker's workshop that still applies to research design.
What do people want from their city?
After reading tens of thousands of comments on placemaking projects, a single pattern emerges: people don't want the same thing — but they do want the same thing.
What is the value of social media as a public engagement tool?
Modern channels promise broader reach, but the bar isn't reach — it's representativeness. A think-piece on what social platforms can and can't do for consultations.
What's the point of community engagement?
The same anxious question shows up in nearly every consultation: will we actually be listened to? An honest answer for the people running engagement programmes.
Giving communities a voice: the research story behind He Puna Taimoana, New Brighton
How community research shaped the case for the New Brighton hot pools — a worked example of public input translating into something built.
For our grandchildren: an alternative RMA fast-tracking approach
Speed and public input aren't mutually exclusive. A sketch of an alternative model for fast-tracked infrastructure that doesn't skip the people most affected.
City of Melbourne: adapting to change
A note from early in the pandemic on how Melbourne's local government adapted — and what other agencies could learn from how they kept their city moving.
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