for complex, research-driven work
Research Consultancy & Developmental Editing
You’re great at what you do, but research is not your core business. Whether you need to pull together a research report, design a questionnaire, develop a targeted research project, or simply have someone with research expertise give your approach a critical second look, I can help.
I bring social research expertise to the projects that require time, methodological thinking, and an outside perspective. From designing research and questionnaires to analysing material and communicating findings clearly, I support your organisation's efficiency.
You get the research support you need, without taking your team away from the work they do best.
Is your argument not quite coming through? Do you find yourself going over the text again and again, but still feel unable to finish? The different parts of the project are just not coming together? Sometimes the best way forward is to step back and get a fresh perspective. That’s where I can help.
While you give your brain a respite, I work with your ideas and structure to bring clarity, sharpen your argument, and help you see new possibilities in your work.
When you return to your writing, you have a clearer sense of what the text could become and a strong foundation to develop it.
How Point Across can help
- Research consultancyResearch consultancy provides independent support at different stages of the research process, from developing research questions and approaches to analysing, interpreting and communicating findings. It brings an experienced research perspective to projects that require critical thinking, qualitative insight or help making sense of complex material.Learn more
- Developmental editingDevelopmental editing helps complex, research-driven work become clearer, stronger and more purposeful. It focuses on the bigger picture: argument, structure, ideas, evidence, narrative and helps identify what needs to be developed, reorganised or reconsidered.Learn more
Who is it for
For researchers, writers, organisations and professionals working with complex ideas, research and evidence looking for an experienced outside perspective to help move a project forward.
Why choose Point Across
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High qualityRigorous, thoughtful work that brings clarity, depth, and coherence to complex research, writing, and ideas. -
SupportA collaborative process that provides space to ask questions, work through challenges, test ideas, and make informed decisions at every stage of a project. -
ExperienceExtensive experience in research, writing, editing, and working with complex ideas across academic and applied contexts. -
Individual approachEvery project has its own questions, challenges, and ambitions. The approach is tailored to the project's objectives, material, audience, and stage of development.
How it works
Find out the typical process
Every project is different, so the process is adapted to the scope, stage and needs of the work. The following outlines the usual approach.
1. Initial assessment
The process begins with a conversation about the project, its aims, its current stage, and the kind of support you are looking for. Where appropriate, a sample or part of the manuscript is reviewed to identify the main developmental needs and establish scope, timeline and priorities.
2. Developmental editing
The work is reviewed with attention to the project as a whole: argument, structure, coherence, ideas, evidence, narrative and positioning. Feedback may take the form of comments and suggestions within the manuscript, a separate editorial report, or a combination of both.
For longer projects, the work can be divided into sections or chapters. This allows feedback and revisions to develop alongside the editing rather than waiting until the entire manuscript has been completed.
3. Discussion and revision
Editorial feedback is discussed with you so that priorities and possible changes are clear. You remain the author and decision-maker throughout: suggestions are there to support the development of the work, not to impose a particular solution.
4. Further development
Where the project requires it, a further round of editing can focus on the changes made in response to the initial feedback. This may involve revisiting structure or argument, developing newly added material, addressing outstanding issues, and checking that revisions work across the project as a whole.
1. Initial assessment
The process begins with a conversation about the project, its aims, its current stage, and the kind of support you are looking for. Where appropriate, a sample or part of the manuscript is reviewed to identify the main developmental needs and establish scope, timeline and priorities.
2. Developmental editing
The work is reviewed with attention to the project as a whole: argument, structure, coherence, ideas, evidence, narrative and positioning. Feedback may take the form of comments and suggestions within the manuscript, a separate editorial report, or a combination of both.
For longer projects, the work can be divided into sections or chapters. This allows feedback and revisions to develop alongside the editing rather than waiting until the entire manuscript has been completed.
3. Discussion and revision
Editorial feedback is discussed with you so that priorities and possible changes are clear. You remain the author and decision-maker throughout: suggestions are there to support the development of the work, not to impose a particular solution.
4. Further development
Where the project requires it, a further round of editing can focus on the changes made in response to the initial feedback. This may involve revisiting structure or argument, developing newly added material, addressing outstanding issues, and checking that revisions work across the project as a whole.
- The number and scope of stages are agreed in advance and can be adjusted as the project develops.
Research consultancy is often iterative. As questions are explored and new insights emerge, the problem, research approach, or direction may evolve. While every project is different, the process is likely to involve the following steps:
1. Frame
Clarify the problem, context, aims, and what you are trying to understand.
2. Explore
Question assumptions, examine different perspectives, and identify possible directions.
3. Develop
Work through promising questions, approaches, and ideas. Depending on the project, this may involve literature, qualitative material, workshops, interviews, or other forms of investigation.
4. Reframe
Step back and assess what has emerged. The research question, approach, or problem may change as understanding develops.
5. Move forward
Translate the resulting insights into a research strategy, next stage of investigation, report, publication, creative output, or other practical application.
1. Frame
Clarify the problem, context, aims, and what you are trying to understand.
2. Explore
Question assumptions, examine different perspectives, and identify possible directions.
3. Develop
Work through promising questions, approaches, and ideas. Depending on the project, this may involve literature, qualitative material, workshops, interviews, or other forms of investigation.
4. Reframe
Step back and assess what has emerged. The research question, approach, or problem may change as understanding develops.
5. Move forward
Translate the resulting insights into a research strategy, next stage of investigation, report, publication, creative output, or other practical application.
About POINT ACROSS STUDIO. Complex projects need clear thinking and critical perspective. Point Across Studio brings research expertise and developmental insight to help you question assumptions, clarify ideas, strengthen your approach, and give your project the edge it needs to succeed.
You will work with Beata, a trained socio-cultural anthropologist with over a decade of experience in social research design and implementation, non-fiction writing, editing books, articles and collections, and advising on multimedia ethnographic projects.
Beata holds a PhD in Anthropology from UCL, an MA in Japan Studies, and a Diploma in Journalism.
Find out more about Beata here.
Beata holds a PhD in Anthropology from UCL, an MA in Japan Studies, and a Diploma in Journalism.
Find out more about Beata here.
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