I’ll be the Jarvis to your Iron Man. The Jack Antonoff to your Taylor Swift. The Dr. Watson to your Sherlock. [insert your favorite pop culture duo here].
Annual Survey. Feedback form. Quiz. Poll. Interview. Focus group. Rubric.
These are powerful research tools. Let’s make them work for you.
You’re wondering:
How do I collect feedback so that it is actually useful to me?
How can I use data to tell the story of my work in an authentic, compelling way?
How do I meet grant and funder requirements without compromising on my values?
You collect information from people but it feels like just another thing you’re checking off your list. You hear about “data-driven” decisions but the numbers you’re looking at aren’t telling a clear story. I get it, and I’ve been there — and, I promise you there’s a better way.
Hi, I’m Kirsten
(k uh r - s t ih n).
I'm a researcher, creative, and entrepreneur but I prefer the term Graceful Rulebreaker — because I believe we can change the world and redefine the status quo, without compromising on our values or personal wellbeing.
I work with people and organizations that are working to make society better and want to use research to amplify their impact.
I’m not a regular researcher, I’m a cool researcher.
Stilettos, leather jacket, champagne in hand, large dog in tow, frequent references to Taylor Swift lyrics. Forget everything you think you know about researchers.
I didn’t become a researcher because I loved research. On the contrary, I kind of hated it. In my experience in public education, I saw data destroy schools. Research felt cold and inhumane, yet it was wildly powerful. It drove major decisions in education and shut out the most important voices — the voices of students, teachers, and families.
It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t accessible. I wanted to see research done and used differently, in ways that valued and supported communities.
I saw the potential of research to do immense good in the world and wanted to give it a makeover - making it fun, accessible, and human-centered.
So, I headed to the University of Pennsylvania to get my Ph.D.
I began my doctoral career as somewhat of a rebel; I was a nonconformist to say the least.
My time was equally divided between my coursework and research assignments, and then also volunteering in local schools and protesting corporate education reform. The latter two got me into some administrative trouble #gracefulrulebreaking.
Because I didn’t fit the typical “Ph.D.” mold, my experience was anything but normal. I got to work with the Vice Dean’s office on designing innovative education programs around the world, I traveled to India (twice) to explore a rural education program, helped build the first-ever researcher-practitioner partnership between the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and the School District of Philadelphia, and led the development of Philly’s citywide surveys to measure alternative indicators of success in schools.
What I loved about all of these experiences is that they put people first. They used research as a tool for innovation, and they made it actionable in the present moment.
Of course, in the midst of these non-traditional Ph.D. adventures, I also engaged in those tried-and-true research best practices, like working on a randomized control trial and learning statistics. A lot of statistics. I did my dissertation on "assessing school turnaround efforts” — unpacking the idea of “success” in schools. (You can peep my scholarly publications here).
I value tradition and expertise, so I learned the “gold standard” in research. However, my balance of experiences taught me that we shouldn’t always go for the gold. Sometimes we need something more practical, flexible, and accessible — we need aluminum.
There’s no one size fits all approach to research.
That’s why I do things the graceful rulebreaker way: know the rules, know their value, and make them work for you.
Post-graduation, I didn't go for traditional gold. I didn’t go into academia and I didn’t start working for one of the big research institutes. I believe in the power of the present and doing my part to make this world a better place, and I wanted to get started now, not after I achieved tenure or climbed the career ladder high enough.
I don’t believe we need to wait for permission to be successful or play big, and I don’t believe we have to settle for the status quo. We can create success on our terms.
I created a way for me to engage with the change I wanted to see in the world by starting a boutique consulting firm that supports socially conscious individuals and organizations. My bite-sized, accessible methodology and centering of the full human experience allows changemakers to define success on their own terms.
Take what you need:
Let’s talk about resilience.
It isn’t easy doing things differently. But when you’re really committed to something and deeply believe in it, that belief gives you the power to overcome a lot. My promises keep me going, even when being a changemaker isn’t easy. I imagine you relate to that statement too.
I was diagnosed with panic disorder and migraines in 2010 and they were, and at times still are, utterly debilitating. At one point they got so bad that I didn't leave my apartment for weeks. For years, I struggled to do very normal things like go to the grocery store or post-office.
To this day, I can't sit in the middle aisle at a theater or on a plane, I have to carry water with me at all times, and the first thing I do when I enter a room is find the exit in case I need to leave.
At that same time, 2010 was the year I started graduate school and I wanted to succeed so badly. I felt called to change the education world and truly believed I needed to get my Ph.D. to do that.
I forced myself to show up for every class even though I was terrified. Even though sometimes I sat silently having a panic attack thinking about nothing but my breath.
Other times I showed up for class having spent the night in the ER for a migraine.
Holding on “my why”, I worked hard and excelled despite being scared out of my mind or in unimaginable pain at least 95% of the time. I know I’m not the only changemaker to do this.
The power of self-care
To date, I still receive questions on how I was able to ‘survive’ my doctorate program with migraines and panic attacks, on top of being singled out by an administrator who didn’t appreciate the path I was carving for myself. (Remember how I mentioned I got in trouble for volunteer in schools and protesting corporate education reform?)
The answer to how I was able to not only survive but thrive during this difficult time is simple: self-care. I dove deep into self-care BUT I did what works for me. The aluminum standard isn’t just for research :)
In other words, it wasn’t all green juices and yoga. I did self-care differently — I learned that I could tune into what my body, heart, and soul needed and just do that and more importantly, I learned that even just 5 minutes of self-care counts and can make a world of difference. Like research, self-care doesn’t have to be big, elaborate, expensive, or super time consuming.
I learned to drop the guilt over not doing “healthy” activities, forget what everyone else was telling me to do, and just listen to myself. 15-minute yoga practices, 3 minutes of tapping, a quick gratitude list. Sometimes I did go for the cookies and binge Law and Order SVU, and you know what? It felt great.
Healing — physically or mentally — is a continual practice. But, I tell ya what: today, I’m strong. I’m someone who isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers, a recovering perfectionist, and I’m even a trained yoga instructor. I use my own self-care journey, struggles with migraines and panic disorder, and bold commitment to pursuing my dreams to inspire others through my podcast, Graceful Rulebreakers. I also integrate self-care into my research work — have you ever used a meditation to create a logic model? Maybe it’s time to give it a try!
Remember when a mixtape was the best way to get to know someone?
I think it still is! Music is a window into the soul, right? In another life, with a different set of talents… I would’ve loved to be a Rock/Pop Star. I am obsessed with music and can be found shamelessly bopping around town to these songs:
Despacito (the version with Bieber), Luis Fonsi
Top billing because I swear this is Calix’s favorite song, and he's my favorite being on the planet. Calix is my lil’ — well, 68 lbs isn’t so little — rescue pup who I fell in love with via an Instagram post of him in a bow tie. Calix means “very handsome” in Greek (according to a baby name book) and I think it’s very fitting.
Short Skirt/Long Jacket, Cake
Fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack? Um, hi! Does anyone listen to this song and not pretend it’s about them?
7 rings (remix) [feat. 2 Chainz], Ariana Grande
I have one teeny-tiny tattoo on my right forearm as an act of rebellion against a "good girl" label.
First Date, Blink-182
In high school, I was pretty sure my dream date would pick me up playing this song. Maybe he still will.
The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra
Chicago gal cannot not have Frank Sinatra.
What I Got, Sublime
Once I grew out of Raffi (who didn’t love “Baby Beluga:?!), so, like age 5/6, Sublime was one of my favorites.
Magic (feat. Rivers Cuomo), B.o.B.
The unofficial hype song I wrote my dissertation to on repeat. Before I publish ANY writing (1 paragraph or 200 pages 👀), I read the entire piece aloud to make sure it hits right.
Brandy (You're a Fine Girl), Looking Glass
One of my all time favorite songs to play while walking by the lake. It just feels so “vacation vibes” and I need those in my life.
Don’t believe a thing I say, Jack Johnson
I’m obsessed with moon phases and crystals (you should see my apartment). I know when Mercury’s in retrograde, and manifestations and positive affirmations are also in my daily vocabulary. At my first JJ concert, I’m pretty sure I manifested him starting with my favorite song, “Taylor” :)
Straw Dog, Something Corporate
Oh yes, punk rock princess over here. I was super late to the Something Corporate party, but I haven’t left.
Blank Space, Taylor Swift
Everything by Taylor Swift. Talk about a girl crush. Currently learning to play guitar on a “Baby Taylor” guitar because that’s what she started with.
Hook, Blues Traveler
Another song that brings me back to childhood. You know the part where he sings really fast? My siblings and I would practice it all the time.
Whisky Girl, Toby Keith
My taste is pretty much the opposite of the gal in this song (I love myself a cocktail but only if it's made with champagne or tequila 🥂) but I can’t get it out of my head. In high school, I spent time volunteering outside Nashville and caught the country bug.
About Kristen Lee Hill Consulting
