People-powered research.

Our research and design methods put people first. That means centering the needs and perspectives of the people impacted by our work—starting with participant-led research methods, followed by design methods that integrate learned perspectives. Putting people at the center of our research and design helps remove hierarchies and helps us gather learnings that are more honest. We’re not leading, we’re facilitating people as they share their own stories, preferences and needs.

People-powered research and design prioritises the individuals and communities impacted by the tools and services we build. It places their perspectives, needs, and experiences at the forefront.

This approach emphasises collaboration, empathy, and active engagement with participants, making sure their voices are centered and integrate throughout the research and design journey.
By centering participants, people-centred research methods foster deeper understanding, generate more meaningful insights, and ultimately lead to more effective and impactful outcomes. This is an inclusive and equitable approach to research, and is central to our values as a collective.
Anthill Collective employs a range of methods tailored to the needs and audiences of each project—here’s a quick sample of a few key methods we use, to give you a better idea of how we work.
Peer-led evaluation
We teach members from the research cohort to lead evaluation sessions, and support them in setting up and facilitating focus groups. A truly participant-led approach to research.
Diary study
Our approach to diary studies is tailored to each project and audience, but often involves a series of daily prompts sent one-on-one with each participant. Participants are given independent, open space for reflective feedback, making the research process more equitable and less extractive.
Co-designing
Our design methods are often, if not always, collaborative. That means we co-design, typically at several key stages throughout a project. The focus of these sessions is tailored to each project, but the structure is always deeply collaborative—we create a structure for discussion, and then let participant voices lead.

Design thinking.

We tailor our methods and approaches to the nuances of each project—but no matter the steps we take, we always use a design thinking lens. Design thinking is a unique approach to problem-solving that prioritises empathy, creativity and collaboration. By building a foundation of empathy and understanding, we can better define the problems to be solved…and more creatively brainstorm their solutions.

Our human-centred design thinking approach makes sure ideas are rooted in the real needs of the people our work serves, and sets the stage for out-of-the-box, truly creative ideation.

We empathise through research, and we empathise best by using research methods that are people-centred. We listen to participants. We co-design with them. At times, we ask them to lead the research themselves. All of this helps us learn their needs and perspectives—a foundational step in design thinking.
Research learnings are distilled into problems to be solves, still with people at the centre. We outline key challenges…and with them, key opportunities.
Go wide with ideas. We ‘flare’ here, meaning we generate broad ideas. Co-design workshops and brainstorms facilitate big, bold ideas.

Futures thinking.

Our projects are varied. Our focus on building for the future is consistent.

We work to shape policies and services that build a more equitable, inclusive future, and use people-powered methods to make sure marginalised voices take the lead. And, we ideate and co-design new technologies that move us into a more inspiring, connected future.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Item description

Systems thinking.

In systems thinking, we pay attention to interconnectedness and interdependence. We thinking of (almost) everything as connected, and so we look at problems and ideas holistically, rather than in silos. It’s a shift in thinking—away from the linear, towards the circular.

This systems view helps identify the relationships and feedback loops that shape the whole—which lets us solve problems more comprehensively and propose solutions that address underlying systemic issues, rather than symptoms. Paired with futures thinking, systems thinking allows us to brainstorm long-term impacts and unintended consequences, ultimately leading to more sustainable and resilient ideas.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Sector analysis

How it comes together.

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