What is in a Name?
The value of research is often measured by external markers that signal credibility within a field, from being invited to give a talk to publishing in a scholarly journal. Academia also has a familiar quantifiable rhythm; you know how long it should take to complete a PhD, how many papers you should produce, and which metrics define progress toward tenure. From this perspective, independent research can seem like a low-stakes detour around years of formal training.
But what is research, really? The National Academies of Sciences defines basic research as:
Basic research is defined as a systematic study directed toward fuller knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind.
Even so, the definition remains somewhat abstract. If we can all agree that research is ultimately the intentional pursuit of knowledge to support others, then independent research is meaningful because it produces real-world impact. While independent work may not always result in traditional scholarly papers or books, it is rigorous in its own right by producing impact-based, alternative forms of outputs. These outputs might not undergo peer review, but they are evaluated through stakeholder feedback and real-world testing.
In embracing the title of “independent researcher,” it means doing the field justice by holding myself to high standards and clearly articulating the scope of my work:
Research Statement
I am an interdisciplinary designer, defined by my versatility at the intersection of emerging, deep technology, and strategic design. I explore two key dimensions of technology: the structure, focused on the security and stability of emerging technologies, and the social, centered on how digital growth shapes societal structures. I believe in intersectionality, recognizing that no topic exists in isolation and that the most effective solutions come from blending insights across disciplines.
Structurally, I explore the infrastructure and processes that underpin emerging technologies.
- What tools and mindsets allow these technologies to move from ideation to implementation and adaptation?
- What are their impacts on automation, productivity, and the expansion of human intelligence? I also focus on how we can scale innovation responsibly, balancing speed with governance standards and cybersecurity resilience.
- How do emerging technologies support or challenge community formation and individual expression? How is new tech an alternative to mainstream platforms?
Socially, I examine the benefits and challenges within the interconnected networks between technology and human relationships.
- How are online communities sustained, with a focus on open-source and digital grassroots activism? This includes understanding the evolving role of platforms in shaping civic discourse and the ongoing debate between freedom of speech and digital rights.
- What role do community communication platforms have in the spread of misinformation? How can we balance censorship and moderation effectively?
Research Methodology
My research methodology is best described as applied ethnography with qualitative methods. I study communities and their practices through interviews, observations, and iterative prototyping, documenting insights publicly. It is suited to the fast-moving communities I study.
Ethnography is the same type of research I practiced in college, so I have a solid foundation. While ethnography is sometimes criticized for its subjectivity, this perspective allows for a nuanced, contextual understanding that purely quantitative approaches cannot capture. As researcher Rimjhim Surana highlights in her article:
In doing the act of ‘writing the self’ there is meaning to be found because the researcher can focus on looking at the subject through an ethnographic lens while simultaneously paying attention to the vulnerable self and everything that falls in between these two.
In my opinion, it adds a layer of nuance and understanding to the subject of study, because the researcher is encouraged to tap into the self, something that is not necessarily the case or even possible in studies that have only external participants. Since the act of researching through auto-ethnography is an embodied process, it allows the researcher to not only pass on knowledge but also pass on the experience of introspection, the conflicts, and the journey of arriving at that knowledge.
Outcomes
With independent research, while the final product often isn’t clear at the start, it emerges through the process of learning. I delve into the “outcomes” more here.