Author: Stefanie Cousins

28 Aug

Posted at 20:11h in Education, Methodology, Research

As a quantitative researcher and a current joint major in economics and math, we have been encouraged to see the increased emphasis on motivating girls and women to pursue STEM activities and educational opportunities in recent years. We were inspired to spotlight STEM opportunities for women in college in light of a Forbes article we read by the CEO of Vector Laboratories Dr. Lisa Sellers that focuses on what companies can do to motivate women to pursue STEM careers.

Dr. Sellers offers insightful strategies for out-of-school organizations, companies, and secondary schools to encourage young women to pursue STEM and how to make it more inclusive of all genders. Since women who are entering college or already matriculating may not have had these opportunities, we wondered how colleges and universities might inspire women to pursue STEM majors and careers.

From Fluent’s perspective there is one obvious first step, and that is to conduct research to better understand women’s experiences, needs, opinions, and perceptions of STEM. Below we suggest ideas for research as well as steps that institutions might take to welcome more women into STEM majors and related careers:

Ask women what they need

Qualitative, quantitative, or a mix of both research methods can help uncover insights into women’s attitudes and perceptions of STEM majors. Focus groups of women in college who have chosen STEM majors would provide an understanding of why they chose that major, what has helped them succeed, and what else would support them in pursuit of their degree and opportunities after graduation. Focus groups with students who have not yet declared a major may provide insight into the barriers that exist for women pursuing a STEM major or career. Additionally, colleges and universities may want to survey current and prospective students to understand how they perceive STEM majors and the barriers in pursuing them. With this understanding, institutions of higher education can make adjustments to help encourage more women to pursue STEM.

Invite women to join

Sometimes all someone needs is an invitation to join. It’s a lot easier to join a group when you’re invited – that signals to someone that they are welcome! Colleges and universities can offer information sessions about various majors, including STEM majors, and invite women to attend or host women-only events specific to STEM.  

Encourage women to try something new

Colleges and universities should remind students that college is a great opportunity to try something new. Yes, some students in Intro to Computer Science may have already taken AP Computer Science in high school or attended coding camp. However introductory classes are designed to teach everything you need to be successful in that class. Emphasizing that no prior knowledge is needed to take an introductory class in course descriptions, syllabi, and professor communications can help encourage those students who have less experience with STEM subject matter to feel comfortable taking a chance on a class that is outside of their comfort zone.

Provide women with mentorship

Female role models are essential for other women to hear stories of personal experiences that help them envision a path forward for themselves. There are many opportunities to provide role models in a higher education setting: 1) Encourage women to be teaching assistants in STEM classes. 2) Provide opportunities for recent graduates in STEM majors to speak about their college and first job experiences. 3) Invite women in management and leadership positions to speak openly about their own paths and provide guidance for those just starting out.

At Fluent, our experience with colleges and universities, clients in the education sector, and young adult populations has shown us time and again the value of research. Clients have the opportunity to directly impact students’ educational experiences and outcomes by testing and improving materials and offerings with their target audience. Similarly, research also provides them with an understanding of their brand equity, what drives it, and benchmarks that help to improve their standing. On a more personal note, we have both benefited from some of the ideas suggested above. We are particularly grateful for the strong mentorship we’ve received from professors, managers, and co-workers. Moreover, the invitations to join a group or try something new have opened doors for us. We believe these opportunities have been instrumental in our education and growth, and look forward to hearing new ideas to encourage  women to choose STEM education and careers.

 

By Mary Meyn and Halley Robbins

07 Apr

Posted at 17:31h in Children, Content, Kids, Media, Research, Technology

A wise and dear professor once told me, “The medium is not the message. The message is the message.” And when television was the medium, that was certainly true. But is that still the case with the proliferation of interactive media for children taking hold? Does the interactivity of the medium outweigh the content being delivered on it?

In the podcast series, Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta delves into the science behind the impact of technology on our brains. This particular episode, Inside a Lab Studying Toddlers and Touchscreens,” explores the impact of interactive touchscreen technologies on very young children. Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician and director of Seattle Children’s Research Institute, explains how his research is finding that children between the ages of 18 and 24 months struggle to disengage from an app in comparison to a traditional toy. This knowledge triggers questions for both parents of young children as well as the technology companies that create these apps. What can parents and tech companies do to prevent adverse effects on children’s young brains from this relatively new technology?

As a parent myself, I see in my teenagers how the interactivity and stimulation of technology keeps them fully engaged and immersed. And in my role as Director of Content Research and Evaluation at Fluent Research, I help technology and media companies understand how children and parents experience apps, games, and other products so designers and producers who create digital content for kids do so with their wellbeing in mind. This is more important than ever as technology continues to evolve and draw in the attention of a generation. As Dr. Christakis says, “Every program is educational. The question is, ‘What is it teaching?’” We need to do better for our children.

By Allison Caplovitz, PhD

14 Mar

Posted at 12:00h in Market Research, Methodology, Qualitative Research, Research

If you have had any interactions with a teen or young adult recently, I am sure you have heard the word “cringy” uttered more than once. Consider Chicken Shop Date interviews with Amelia Dimoldenberg and Taylor Swift’s infamous 2022 NYU graduation speech when she says “… learn to live alongside cringe,” as examples of the current cultural relevance of cringe. But how about “meta-cringe”? Trend forecasters predict that 2023 is the year of meta-cringe for Gen Z. While cringe is generally defined as embarrassment, awkwardness or discomfort about something or someone being out of touch, meta-cringe is defined as having an awareness that something is cringey and enjoying it anyway. A hallmark of meta-cringe is that it’s unclear whether the act is sincere or ironic, and because of that, the question about intent loses importance all together.

It makes sense that meta-cringe is having its moment. In the current political and social climate, Gen Z are inundated with news and trends that move at a speed far too fast to keep up with. Young people are understandably anxious about the state of the world and disillusioned with emerging adulthood for many reasons, including the war in Ukraine, mass shootings, climate change, and economic uncertainty. These feelings of distress, combined with Gen Z’s value of authenticity, leads young people to deliberately engage in absurd, awkward, and idiosyncratic cringe humor. Gen Z are no longer interested in projecting a perfect online image. Instead, they are rejecting the societal pressures of a flawless feed and the shame associated with cringeworthy moments, and in lieu of this, opting for curated cringe. This kind of humor is often an expression of nostalgia for the media and cultural trends of Gen Z’s adolescence from the 2000s to 2010s (i.e., Shrek raves, viral memes about 2000s emo singing impressions).

In our work at Fluent, where we often conduct research with Gen Z teens and young adults, we consider the cultural shifts and values that embody meta-cringe when trying to connect with and design for young people. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when working with Gen Z:

– Be Nostalgic: Find unique and easy ways for Gen Z to connect with the beloved digital and media world they grew up with (2000s to 2010s).

– Embrace Absurdity: Don’t be afraid to be cringy. Intentional or not, this peaks interest.

– Play with “when the curtain drops” moments: Focus on content that feels unstaged and genuine. Consider the trope of “when the curtain drops” or “the camera stops rolling” humor where the viewer gets a glimpse into the inner world of a character, or behind the scenes.

– Be Authentic: Be cringey, be real, as long as you are being truthful to you. A curated and manicured public image is not in style anymore.

– Cultivate personal and meaningful connection: Ensure that connection feels vulnerable, intimate and simple, perhaps with smaller groups of peers.

– Share the unfiltered self: Encourage sharing in a way that feels like unedited, first takes. Consider BeReal and Poparazzi as examples of apps popular among Gen Z that are designed for unedited and in-the-moment photo sharing.

– Be Relatable: One aspect of meta-cringe is the relatability of those moments of embarrassment, awkwardness or discomfort. It may be painful to watch, but the humor connects with Gen Z who are disillusioned with the perfect, filtered digital image.

Meta-cringe will influence Gen Z’s expectations and behaviors in the digital world. Young people are embracing their guilty pleasures and giving themselves permission to be themselves, IRL and online. We can view this carefree attitude as a way for Gen Z to express more vulnerability when they connect with others online.

Sources:
https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/qjkywp/meta-cringe
https://www.russh.com/tiktok-meta-cringe/
https://zeefeed.com.au/meta-cringe/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRWYP36o/

By Natalia Belchikov, User Experience Researcher, Fluent Research

15 Jan

Posted at 20:38h in Content, Employee News, Research

January 17, 2023 (New York, NY) – Fluent Research, a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm, announced today that Farrah Brensinger has been promoted to Senior UX Researcher. In this role, Farrah will oversee a wide range of global research studies, informing the development of new technologies and content.

 

“Farrah has demonstrated her deep analytical skills while working on diverse projects, ranging from UX research to impact assessments of educational content,” said Nellie Gregorian, Founder and President of Fluent Research. “I am excited to see Farrah’s accomplishments in her new role.”

 

Farrah is passionate about designing products, services, and experiences that create a better quality of life and a brighter future for all. She leverages qualitative research methodologies to build empathy and provide data-driven, actionable recommendations.

 

Prior to joining Fluent, Farrah worked at Shimmy Technologies, contributing user research for the development of game-based training tools used in the manufacturing sector.

 

About Fluent Research
Fluent Research is a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm. Since 2006 Fluent has leveraged understanding of human behavior to help the world’s best-known brands and organizations advance worthy causes, innovate transformational products, and successfully navigate change. Fluent’s work centers around three practice areas: thought leadership research, formative research and evaluation, and social impact assessment. Fluent has applied rigorous and innovative research solutions in service of promoting children’s access to and quality of education, and gender equality in the U.S. and in over 70 countries around the world. Fluent’s creative arm, Fluent Productions, is an award-winning producer of original documentary content that harnesses the power of visual storytelling to bring attention to important issues facing our society, to build empathy and inspire action.

Contact: Stefanie Cousins
[email protected]

 

13 Jan

Posted at 07:37h in Children, Content, Employee News, Qualitative Research, Research

January 13, 2023 (New York, NY) – Fluent Research, a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm, announced today that Tiffany Salone has been promoted to Senior Researcher. In this role, Tiffany will oversee a wide range of global research studies, informing the development of educational products and programs that benefit children, youth, and families.

“Tiffany excels at managing complex research projects, and she is an expert quantitative and qualitative analyst,” said Nellie Gregorian, Founder and President of Fluent Research. “Tiffany’s promotion acknowledges her contribution to our success and continuing growth.”

Tiffany has a deep background in technology and education. She is passionate about designing and conducting research that supports increased and equitable accessibility to education and technology, especially for young learners and their families. No matter what type of project she is working on, she is a consistent advocate for users, particularly those who are low-income or live in underserved communities around the world.

Prior to joining Fluent, Tiffany worked as a researcher in educational media and technology. Before working as a researcher, she spent eight years as a video producer, videographer, and editor of short documentaries and feature films.

About Fluent Research
Fluent Research is a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm. Since 2006 Fluent has leveraged understanding of human behavior to help the world’s best-known brands and organizations advance worthy causes, innovate transformational products, and successfully navigate change. Fluent’s work centers around three practice areas: thought leadership research, formative research and evaluation, and social impact assessment. Fluent has applied rigorous and innovative research solutions in service of promoting children’s access to and quality of education, and gender equality in the U.S. and in over 70 countries around the world. Fluent’s creative arm, Fluent Productions, is an award-winning producer of original documentary content that harnesses the power of visual storytelling to bring attention to important issues facing our society, to build empathy and inspire action.

Contact: Stefanie Cousins
[email protected]

 

11 Jan

Posted at 07:00h in Employee News, Market Research, Research

January 11, 2023 (New York, NY) – Fluent Research, a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm, announced today that Sofia Polo has been promoted to Director, Research Strategy. In this role, Sofia will work with the senior executive team on advancing the company’s mission and strategic direction.

“Sofia has been a valuable member of our team and a mentor to many of our colleagues. I am thrilled that in her new role she will take on more management and leadership responsibilities,” said Nellie Gregorian, Founder and President of Fluent Research.

Sofia has a strong interest in leveraging research to promote education, health and mental health of children, youth, and families. A native Spanish speaker, Sofia is committed to amplifying the voices of the Latinx communities and advocating an equitable approach to research practices.

Prior to joining Fluent, Sofia worked as a health research training consultant at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

About Fluent Research
Fluent Research is a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm. Since 2006 Fluent has leveraged understanding of human behavior to help the world’s best-known brands and organizations advance worthy causes, innovate transformational products, and successfully navigate change. Fluent’s work centers around three practice areas: thought leadership research, formative research and evaluation, and social impact assessment. Fluent has applied rigorous and innovative research solutions in service of promoting children’s access to and quality of education, and gender equality in the U.S. and in over 70 countries around the world. Fluent’s creative arm, Fluent Productions, is an award-winning producer of original documentary content that harnesses the power of visual storytelling to bring attention to important issues facing our society, to build empathy and inspire action.

Contact: Stefanie Cousins
[email protected]

27 Jun

Posted at 14:52h in Children, Content, Education, Employee News, Kids, Research

Next month Fluent’s Director of Content & Evaluation, Dr. Allison Caplovitz, will be returning to Miami to attend the Kidscreen Summit after the conference’s two-year hiatus due to COVID. Allison’s favorite meeting of the year, the Kidscreen Summit is known as the most important annual event in the kids media industry.

Allison’s background includes deep experience informing the development of children’s television programs, evaluating curriculum development, and conducting summative research. She has advised 9 Story, Highlights for Children, Meta, Netflix, PBS Kids, Sesame Workshop, Warner Media, and YouTube Kids, and was instrumental to the success of the iconic children’s media property Blue’s Clues. Read all about Allison here and be sure to connect with her in Miami.

21 Jun

Posted at 15:08h in Employee News, Market Research, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

We’re excited to welcome two new team members to Fluent Research. Amber Gonzalez is a Quantitative Researcher and Charlotte Beatty is a User Experience Researcher.

Prior to joining Fluent, Amber worked at EDC’s Center for Children and Technology as a field researcher and at NYU School of Medicine’s Student Health Service, where she leveraged data-driven insights to expand mental health services for medical students.

Charlotte recently graduated from Boston University, where she studied the anthropology of health and medicine. For her undergraduate academic research, Charlotte designed and conducted an investigation into aspirations for marriage and family among Gen Z young adults. Check out Amber and Charlotte’s full bios on our website.

15 Jun

Posted at 15:00h in Documentary Films, Employee News, Technology

Award-winning filmmaker and Fluent Productions head Heath Cozens, landed in Sao Paulo, Brazil earlier this month where he began the first leg of a seven-country adventure around the globe filming a documentary for a tech client. We’ll be posting Heath’s postcards throughout the summer on our social media channels so make sure to check in to find out #WhereHeathIsNow?

18 May

Posted at 00:01h in Employee News, Market Research, Quantitative Research

May 18, 2022 (New York, NY) – Fluent Research, a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm, announced today that Mary Meyn has joined the company in the role of Director, Research. In her new position, Mary will manage public opinion and market research studies for some of the world’s best-known brands and organizations.

“Mary joins Fluent after a distinguished career in political polling, public opinion and market research,” said Nellie Gregorian, Founder and President of Fluent Research. “Mary’s outstanding analytical skills and her deep commitment to the professional standards of public opinion research will further improve the caliber of our work. We could not be more thrilled for Mary to join Fluent Research and help us advance our mission of leveraging data and insights in service of making a positive impact on the lives of children, youth, and families.”

Prior to Fluent, Mary was Vice President at Edison Research, where she spent 16 years supporting the national Election Day exit polls, providing critical and time-sensitive data about who Americans voted for and what issues were important to voters. Mary has also worked with major companies in media and policy, including AMC Theatres, The Brookings Institution, ESPN, NPR, Marketplace, and Univision, among many others.

Mary has been an active member of the American Association of Public Opinion Researchers (AAPOR) community, serving for many years on the Executive Council of the Pennsylvania/New Jersey chapter, including serving as President in 2019.

Mary is a graduate of Binghamton University and has a master’s degree in Politics and Public Affairs from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

About Fluent Research
Fluent Research is a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm. Since 2006 Fluent has leveraged understanding of human behavior to help the world’s best-known brands and organizations advance worthy causes, innovate transformational products, and successfully navigate change. Fluent’s work centers around three practice areas: thought leadership research, formative research and evaluation, and social impact assessment. Fluent has applied rigorous and innovative research solutions in service of promoting children’s access to and quality of education, and gender equality in the U.S. and in over 70 countries around the world. Fluent’s creative arm, Fluent Productions, is an award-winning producer of original documentary content that harnesses the power of visual storytelling to bring attention to important issues facing our society, to build empathy and inspire action.

Contact: Stefanie Cousins
[email protected]