Our Research

At Akron Flux, independent research is a core part of our practice. It’s how we investigate the root causes of workplace dysfunction, develop alternatives to outdated methods, and test ideas that might otherwise stay theoretical. We treat research as a working tool - something embedded in real-world challenges, not separated from them.

We don’t outsource our critical thinking. We run our own experiments, build our own models, and generate insights through direct contact with complexity.

How We Approach Research

We work with three key methods:

• Experiment Design
  We create structured, time-bound tests to explore assumptions, identify failure points, and surface patterns in how systems behave. These experiments are focused, lean, and aimed at generating insight - not endless data.

• Modelling
  We build models - both conceptual and practical - to make sense of how decisions, behaviours, and structures interact. These models support clarity, reflection, and better long-term design.

• Simulation
  When a system can’t be easily observed or predicted, we build simulations to explore its dynamics over time. This helps us test alternatives, spot risk, and understand trade-offs before they become costly.

We don’t apply these methods in a vacuum. They’re part of our client work, part of our internal development, and part of how we contribute to better thinking across our field.

Why We Do It Ourselves

Many consultancies rely on second-hand thinking or academic partnerships that are too slow to respond to real conditions. We take a different path.

We do our own research because:

• We’re close to the work - and that’s where new insights emerge
• We see edge cases and live consequences that outsiders often miss
• We can test and refine quickly, without waiting for permission
• We create knowledge we can reuse and build on across projects
• We stay critical and adaptive, not locked into inherited methods

This makes our work more relevant, more grounded, and more resilient. It also means our clients benefit from insight that’s born from observation and refinement - not generic frameworks or recycled theory.

For Clients: It’s Part of the Work

We don’t treat research as something extra. It’s baked into how we explore, design, and deliver.

Clients benefit because:

• We challenge assumptions before they cost time or money
• We validate ideas before recommending them
• We approach complexity without defaulting to oversimplified tools
• We back our advice with evidence - not just confidence

This isn’t “academic R&D” hidden inside a proposal. It’s methodical exploration tied to clear goals, visible outcomes, and real impact.

Where It Leads

Our research leads to:

• Clear, usable toolkits
• Diagnostics and decision frameworks
• Essays, diagrams, and provocations
• Prototypes and testable alternatives and scenarios
• Patterns and models we refine over time

These outputs help us do better work - and help others think more clearly, too.

We’ll be sharing more soon through our blog - with some of the upcoming sections:

• Field Notes
• Experiments
• Frameworks
• Case Reflections

If you’re curious about what we’re seeing, questioning, and testing - this is the place to follow along.