Research & Design

We combine social research with co-design and participatory methods to help organisations understand their context, engage their stakeholders, and build programs and services grounded in evidence. From needs assessments and stakeholder research through to service model design and theory of change development, we tailor our approach to your questions and the people involved.

Based in Melbourne and Tasmania, we work with government, not-for-profit and community organisations across Australia. Our research and design work spans health, environment, social justice, education and community services.

Discuss your project

Services / Research & Design

Social research, co-design and participatory approaches

Organisations commission research and design work for many reasons: to understand a problem before investing in a solution, to hear from people with lived experience, to test a service model, or to develop an evidence base that supports a funding case or strategy. What connects all of this work is a belief that better decisions come from better understanding.

Social research

Social research involves the systematic collection and analysis of data about people, communities and the systems they interact with. We use a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, from interviews, focus groups and surveys through to literature reviews, document analysis and secondary data analysis. The goal is to surface insights that help you understand what's happening, for whom, and why.

Co-design and participatory methods

Co-design brings the people affected by a decision into the process of making it. Rather than designing programs or services for people, we design with them. This might involve facilitated workshops with community members, collaborative prototyping sessions with service users, or structured engagement processes that bring together diverse stakeholders to shape a shared direction.

Participatory research goes further, involving community members and stakeholders as active participants in the research process itself. This is particularly important in contexts where culturally safe and inclusive approaches are needed, where power dynamics matter, or where the perspectives of people with lived experience are central to the research questions.

We've applied co-design and participatory approaches across a wide range of settings, from redesigning national health services with Hepatitis Australia to working alongside Australian Red Cross to develop a reflective tool for assessing when co-design is (and isn't) the right approach.

Our Research & Design Services

We bring together rigorous research methods with collaborative design approaches to generate insights and develop practical solutions.

Needs Assessments & Desktop Research

Literature reviews, evidence synthesis, landscape scans and needs assessments that build a strong foundation for decision-making and program design.

Stakeholder Research & Data Collection

Surveys, interviews, focus groups and community consultation designed to capture diverse perspectives and generate rich, actionable data across qualitative and quantitative methods.

Co-Design & Participatory Research

Collaborative workshops, participatory methods and co-design processes that bring together stakeholders, service users and communities to shape solutions grounded in lived experience.

Strategic Planning & Facilitation

Translating research insights into clear strategies, action plans and frameworks that guide organisational priorities, including facilitation of planning processes with executive teams and stakeholder groups.

Literature Reviews & Evidence Synthesis

Evidence scans, literature reviews and research synthesis that draw together what's already known to inform program design, policy development and strategic decision-making.

Service Model Design

Human-centred design of service models, frameworks and tools that shape how services are delivered, experienced and improved, developed collaboratively with the people who use and deliver them.

How a typical research or design project works

Every project is different, but our process follows a consistent structure that keeps things on track and ensures the insights are useful.

1

Scoping & Design

We clarify your research questions, context and constraints, then design a methodology that fits your timeline and budget.

2

Engagement Planning

We identify who needs to be involved and how, paying attention to inclusion, accessibility and culturally safe approaches.

3

Data Collection

We gather evidence through interviews, surveys, workshops, focus groups, literature reviews or other methods suited to your questions.

4

Analysis & Sensemaking

We analyse the data, identify patterns and themes, and work with you to make sense of what the evidence is telling us.

5

Outputs & Application

We deliver practical outputs: reports, strategies, service models, frameworks or toolkits designed for your audience and purpose.

Sectors we work across

Public Health Mental Health Cancer Care Natural Resource Management Climate Change Community Development Disability Leadership & Gender Social Justice Innovation & Technology Food Systems Emergency Management Environment & Sustainability

Our Approach

We believe that meaningful change starts with understanding. Our approach to research and design emphasises collaboration, rigour and practical application. We bring robust methodologies grounded in social research, but always translate these into accessible insights that teams can act on.

Evidence-informed and practical

Our insights are grounded in data and designed for action, not academic exercise

Participatory and inclusive

We design engagement processes that centre the perspectives of those closest to the challenge

Tailored to your context

Every project is designed to fit your unique setting, stakeholders and questions

Mixed methods as standard

We combine qualitative depth with quantitative rigour to give you a complete picture

Research & Design in Action

A selection of our research and design work across co-design, social research and service design.

Featured Project

Just Ask: How Are You Feeling?

Movember & Cancer Australia

We listened to people from all walks of life to understand what truly matters in their cancer care. Through one-on-one conversations, small group discussions and an online survey, participants from regional communities, diverse cultural backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities shared their experiences to help shape how the health system responds to patient needs.

Participatory Research Lived Experience Cancer Care

Read the report

Featured Project

AI Impact Navigator Framework

CSIRO & National AI Centre

We co-designed a Theory of Change and self-assessment toolkit to help Australian companies understand, measure and report on the social, environmental and economic impacts of their AI systems. The framework was developed through collaborative workshops with industry, government and community stakeholders.

Co-Design Theory of Change Framework Development

View the Navigator

Co-Design Learnings Project

Australian Red Cross

Co-Design Tool Development

View CART Tool

HepLink Service Model Design

Hepatitis Australia

Service Design Co-Design

Bridging the Gap Social Research Project

North East CMA

Leadership & Gender Survey Research

Social and Economic Outcomes from the Reef Builder Project

The Nature Conservancy Australia

Social Research Mixed Methods

Marine Estate Community Wellbeing Surveys

NSW Department of Primary Industries

Survey Research Community Wellbeing

Social and Economic Value of Victorian Fisheries

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Social Research Economic Value

Related services

Evaluation Services

Systems Strategy

Workshop & Training

Need research, co-design or strategic support?

Whether you need a needs assessment, a co-designed strategy, a new service model, or research to inform a funding case, we'd love to help.

Start a conversation

Movember & Cancer Australia

Just Ask: How Are You Feeling?

Cancer Care Participatory Research Lived Experience Person-Centred

Every person's cancer journey is different. The ripple effects of a diagnosis can be profound, on the body, the mind, and on the people around you. That's why the Pan Cancer Initiative, a partnership between Movember and Cancer Australia, is working to put patients' voices at the heart of cancer care across Australia.

We had the privilege of hearing from people with lived experience of cancer, from regional and rural communities, from diverse cultural backgrounds, from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and from people with diverse gender and sexual identities. Through one-on-one conversations, small group discussions, and an online survey, participants generously shared what truly matters to them when it comes to their care.

Their insights are now helping shape how the health system asks about and responds to patient needs. This work is part of a broader effort to ensure that when it comes to cancer care, we don't just assume what people need. We ask.

How We Worked Together

One-on-one conversations Small group discussions Online survey Inclusive engagement

Read the Full Report

CSIRO & National AI Centre

AI Impact Navigator Framework

Artificial Intelligence Responsible AI Co-Design Theory of Change

CSIRO and the National AI Centre initiated the AI Impact Navigator project under the stewardship of the Responsible AI Think Tank. The Navigator is a mechanism for Australian companies to understand the role of AI in contributing to positive social change, and what is required to foster and maintain trust in the responsible use of AI.

FPC co-developed a Theory of Change and self-assessment toolkit that allows companies to identify where they are on their impact journey, and the ways in which they can be transparent and held accountable to communities. The framework helps companies measure and improve their AI impact across four key dimensions: social licence and transparency, workforce and productivity, effective AI and community impact, and customer experience and consumer rights.

At its core, the Navigator recognises that AI is here to stay. The question is what we do about it to ensure its responsible use. The framework complements the Australian Government's Voluntary AI Safety Standard and uses a continuous improvement cycle (Plan, Act, Adapt) to guide implementation.

Methods & Approach

Co-design workshops Theory of Change development Document review Toolkit design

View AI Impact Navigator

North East CMA

Bridging the Gap Social Research Project

Leadership & Gender Natural Resource Management Survey Research

In 2019, thirteen senior female leaders from the Water and Catchment sector were recruited into the Insight: Executive Leadership for Women in Water Program. As part of Insight, a supplementary program called Bridging the Gap was introduced, involving six CMA members who each recruited a senior male colleague to explore gender challenges across the sector and plan for sector-wide change.

FPC was engaged to undertake research to understand the drivers, barriers and enablers that impact upon the influence and visibility of women in CMAs. This involved running a series of online focus groups with CMA participants to collect qualitative stories and inform survey design, followed by designing and delivering a large-scale survey to all staff of all 10 CMAs across Victoria.

The research generated valuable insights into the systemic factors affecting women's leadership in the sector, providing evidence to inform targeted interventions and policy changes.

Methods & Approach

Focus groups Online survey Survey design Qualitative analysis

The Nature Conservancy Australia

Social and Economic Outcomes from the Reef Builder Project

Social Research Mixed Methods Biodiversity Community Engagement

The Nature Conservancy has been rebuilding shellfish reefs in Australian coastal waters since 2014. Under the Reef Builder Project, a funding partnership with the Australian Government, the organisation is currently rebuilding reefs in 13 urban and regional locations across Australia.

The Reef Builder Project is expected to have a range of important social, economic and environmental benefits. FPC was engaged to assess and document the social and economic impacts realised during the project, as well as those expected to flow from the reefs themselves over time.

We worked alongside BDO EconSearch, who conducted an economic analysis of the 13 reef sites. FPC's research focused on impacts across fishing, diving, tourism, education and community participation. Our work involved interviews, surveys, literature reviews and detailed case studies of particular Reef Builder sites, providing a comprehensive picture of the project's broader value beyond environmental outcomes.

Methods & Approach

Phone interviews Online survey Literature review Case studies

Australian Red Cross

Co-Design Learnings Project

Co-Design Service Design Community Engagement Tool Development

Australian Red Cross implemented a place-based co-design process in three sites across South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia. The focus was on redesigning services to better reflect the needs and contexts of the communities they serve.

FPC was engaged to work alongside Australian Red Cross as part of a 'learnings project' during the co-design process. Red Cross was interested in gaining a nuanced understanding of the pros and cons of co-design, where it was more or less appropriate, and lessons for future scale-up across the organisation.

This project involved collecting data from a range of stakeholders (executives through to consumers), document review and reflective workshops. The result was a report that provided guidance for future service-focused co-design efforts. We also developed the Co-design Appropriateness Reflective Tool (CART) for ongoing use by the organisation.

Methods & Approach

Workshops Document review Phone interviews Tool development

View CART Tool

Hepatitis Australia

HepLink Service Model Design

Public Health Service Design Co-Design National Program

HepLink is the national 'front door' to viral hepatitis treatment and care, ensuring everyone in Australia has a pathway to essential viral hepatitis support and services. It is nationally coordinated by Hepatitis Australia, with local on-the-ground delivery from each state and territory organisation. HepLink is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

FPC was engaged to facilitate a design process with Hepatitis Australia and the eight State and Territory-based hepatitis organisations. Our process involved development of possible service models, and collaborative workshops to identify the features that worked for each jurisdiction.

Over two rounds of workshopping, we arrived at a new service model that included a centralised HepLink Navigator function, an on-ground HepLink role in each jurisdiction, and targeted internal grants that could address emerging issues. This new model satisfied all organisations involved, whilst also meeting directives set by the Department.

Methods & Approach

Co-design workshops Service model development Stakeholder consultation

NSW Department of Primary Industries

Marine Estate Community Wellbeing Surveys - Wave 2

Survey Research Community Wellbeing Biodiversity Longitudinal Study

The Marine Estate Management Strategy 2018-2028 defines the vision and management priorities of the NSW marine estate. To address a knowledge gap on the human dimensions of the marine estate, baseline data was collected in 2021 through an online survey of coastal residents, coastal visitors, and youth aged 14-17 years.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries engaged FPC to implement 'Wave 2' of the community wellbeing surveys to track long-term trends. Key objectives included collecting community data on the benefits of and threats to the marine estate, filling knowledge gaps on the social dimensions, and comparing results with baseline data to track changes over time.

FPC partnered with Dynata and Social Status to ensure sufficient data was collected to be representative of NSW target community groups. We used a collaborative approach to refine questionnaires, managed significant data cleaning and preparation, and conducted in-depth analysis comparing results for different community groups (including CALD and non-CALD) and changes since Wave 1.

Methods & Approach

Online survey Panel survey Social media campaign Comparative analysis

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Measuring the Social and Economic Value of Victorian Fisheries and Aquaculture

Social Research Economic Value Primary Industries Community Development

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation funded a research project to explore and document the social and economic value of Victorian commercial fisheries and aquaculture operations. First Person Consulting were named researchers on the project, working under the lead of the University of Technology Sydney.

The research involved over 150 interviews across Victoria with industry and non-industry stakeholders, a 1,200-response community survey, and a range of workshops and presentations. Key themes explored included contributions to the economy, employment in regional areas, synergies with tourism, and the value of locally produced food.

This comprehensive mixed-methods study provided robust evidence of the sector's broader contributions beyond simple economic metrics, capturing the social fabric and community connections that make fisheries and aquaculture vital to regional Victoria.

Methods & Approach

Face-to-face interviews Online survey Phone interviews Workshops