18 Jun The Faces Behind Fluent: William Sandy
To celebrate Fluent Research’s 20th anniversary, we’re highlighting the people who have helped shape the organization along the way. First up is William Sandy, Fluent’s Executive Director. With a background spanning market research, educational evaluation, and international development, William brings a global perspective to understanding human behavior and the motivations that drive it.
In this profile, he reflects on Fluent’s growth over the years, memorable projects from around the world, and the curiosity that continues to fuel his work today.
1) What inspired you to join Fluent Research?
I was working at a competing research firm, which didn’t seem to make sense once Nellie (Fluent’s founder and president) and I had gotten married.
2) What’s been your most memorable project or moment at Fluent?
The international projects: Working on impact assessment studies in the West Bank, in Nigeria, and in the DRC, or conducting focus groups in South Africa and Mexico.
3) How has Fluent evolved since you joined?
It’s grown from four people crammed into a tiny room in a shared office space, doing much research in-person and in the field, and doing a lot of work with not-for-profit organizations, to 25 people connected virtually around the country, doing research across digital platforms, and working for major companies
4) What’s your favorite part of working at Fluent?
The need to never stop learning; the opportunities to interview fascinating people; the ability to work alongside other extraordinary researchers.
5) If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Charles Darwin, David Hume, Denis Diderot, Gabriel García Márquez, Ernest Gellner, et al
6) What’s a book, movie, or podcast you’d recommend to everyone?
Don’t Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight (memoir by Alexandra Fuller), Not One Less (Chinese film), Hardcore History podcast.
7) What’s your go-to productivity hack?
Wish I had one.
8) If you weren’t in research, what career would you have pursued?
Something in evolutionary biology perhaps, or writing.
9) What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Reading.
10) If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
The Pyrenees, The Caucasus, Botswana, Namibia, Albania, Slovenia, the Baltic countries, and many more.
11) What’s your favorite snack or drink to have while working?
Coffee and chocolate.
12) What’s a hobby or activity you’re passionate about outside of work?
I wouldn’t say passionate about them, but I do love snow skiing, water skiing, and sporting clays—though I rarely get to do them anymore.