RESEARCH
National and Global Research Led by Derrick Feldmann on Examining Public Engagement, Narrative Change, Social Issues, Philanthropy, and Movements.
He guides national and global studies used by foundations, family offices, corporations, and public institutions to inform strategy, communications, and capital allocation.
Through both public and private engagements, Derrick advises research teams and senior leaders on how to identify the forces that influence individuals, communities, and markets and how to translate those insights into action for measurable change.
Below is a selection of major research initiatives Derrick has led or helped shape.
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While the national hotline for mental health resources and suicide prevention, 988, responded to 5 million people in its first year, nearly 50,000 Americans still died by self-harm. Evidence that certain barriers increase the rates of suicide among specific groups prompted the need for research on how to promote seeking help and instill confidence in 988 among the groups disproportionately affected.
The mixed-methods study comprised an environmental scan and qualitative and quantitative research reflecting data from more than 5,600 people.Fueled by synthetic opioids, drug overdose deaths increased by a staggering 52% from 2019 to 2021. The study honed in on audiences most at risk for substance use disorders to identify people open to seeking treatment, understand barriers and motivators to doing so and inform message development to help individuals explore recovery.
The mixed-methods study comprised surveys and in-depth interviews reflecting nearly 3,000 respondents.
Loneliness, Isolation and Human Touch: A Global Perspective in the Era of COVID-19
Beiersdorf (parent company of Nivea) supported the study of six countries (Brazil, China, England, Germany, Italy, U.S.) for a global report and a U.S.-specific report to understand the current state of loneliness, the connection between loneliness and touch, and potential interventions.
A literature review, survey, expert interviews, virtual discussions and phone calls comprised this mixed-methods study representing a pool of more than 6,500.
Pulse: Gun Violence in America
Gun violence is the leading cause of death among young Ameriicans, so what are adult Americans’ perceptions of gun violence in this country? Feldmann led a poll for ACRI to get immediate data on gun violence for promoting prevention strategies to curtail gun violence and its impact on young people—including perception and attitudes, overall impact, and potential solutions to addressing gun violence and firearm-related incidents.
This study consisted of a poll with 3,010 responses.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) Study
The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act incentivized states to develop ERPOs to reduce gun violence, especially among young Americans. The Joyce Foundation and ACRI gathered 25 key leaders in ERPO implementation and education for research. The published study shared data to understand the public’s attitudes toward ERPOs and how they’ve been implemented across states, then identified ways organizations can develop evidence-based strategies to effectively reduce gun violence and its impact on young people.
Through rounds of qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys, this mixed-methods study reports findings from more than 5,000 individuals.
The Joyce Foundation supported a project to address the culture around guns among America’s youth. Using expertise in best practices in youth engagement, behavior change and social issue marketing, the research team sought to better understand youth knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward guns and gun ownership.
This mixed-methods research project involved developing, testing and modifying creative assets in three phases of survey fielding that garnered more than 1,000 responses and prompted 23 million website visits.
Time to Talk: How Brands Can Better Communicate About Mental Health
On average, one out of every six Gen Zer struggles with a mental condition—yet, only about half receive the treatment they need. Given the affinity young people have for certain brands and the power of brand influencers, should brands talk directly to youth about mental health? This study aimed to gather information for developing a comprehensive guide for brands to communicate with young consumers about mental health in informed and effective ways.
The mixed-methods research study comprised qualitative and quantitative research that included online discussions with more than 50 consumers and a survey of more than 4,000 people.
Remote learning jumpstarted by the pandemic has influenced education in many ways, including how often students miss school—and how their parents view their absences. Now preferring the holistic development of their children beyond academics has also led some parents to consider regular attendance differently. As a result, chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high. This study sought to understand the narratives that would communicate the effects absenteeism has on children’s development and their future.
The mixed-methods research study comprised two phases: qualitative and quantitative. Phase 1 comprised a two-day online discussion with 32 participants. Phase 2 offered an online survey of 5,003 parents with children enrolled in school.
Powering the Future: The Road to ElectrificationPersonal actions by enough Americans could significantly reduce the country’s energy-based emissions. However, people don’t readily embrace switching from fossil fuels to an all-electric lifestyle. What will homeowners need to learn before they decide the electric option is better for their families and worth the effort to adopt? The mixed-methods research study sought to understand the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of U.S. homeowners on electrification (the process of going electric) and test key messages.
This study comprised three research phases: a qualitative online discussion board (n=41), in-depth qualitative interviews (n=10) and a quantitative survey (n-5003).
What social and civic issues do Americans care most about, and how do their values, attitudes and behaviors reflect their concerns? Quarterly research identifies current topics and trends among segments of the general population (generation, race, political ideology, etc.) and the public as a whole.
The research study comprises an online survey of approximately 3,000 U.S. adults ages 16 and up each quarter (four times a year).
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Though the 2020 general election was repeatedly proven to be the most secure in American history, many states still sought (and often passed) voter suppression laws. The Campaign Legal Center (CLC) commissioned a mixed-methods research study to understand the profile of people who distrust elections and what causes such distrust.
An environmental scan and social listening analysis complemented the survey and virtual discussion in this mixed-methods study. More than 2,500 people completed surveys and 38 participated in a virtual interview..
Young Voters in the Midterms: Driving Voter Turnout in 2022
Though U.S. elections in 2018 and 2020 saw record turnout for young voters, growing skepticism about election fairness and the government in general could threaten this upward trajectory. MTV Entertainment supported a study to better understand the voting attitudes among younger millennials and Gen Z ahead of the 2022 midterm elections and how brands and causes could motivate them to vote.
This mixed-methods study comprised an environmental scan, social listening analysis, quantitative (online survey) and qualitative (virtual platform interviews) research involving more than 5,100 participants..
Allianz Foundation Risktaker Pulse
The views, visions and experiences of social movement leaders, artists and other risktakers can serve as a valuable resource for civil society. To collect and share their firsthand knowledge, the study sponsored by the Allianz Foundation captured insights from 59 risktakers in five European countries.
Phase 1 (an environmental scan, movement identification, outreach and recruitment) was followed by Phase 2 (virtual interviews) and Phase 3 (data analysis) that resulted in more than 5,000 hours of interviews, data analysis and reviews.
Civic Life Today: The State of Global Civic Engagement
Five comprehensive reports were commissioned by the Points of Light Foundation to reveal key trends in civic engagement and provide actionable takeaways for businesses, nonprofits and individuals to boost civic participation post-COVID through a global perspective as well as metrics from the U.S., the U.K, Brazil and India.
Research received the following number of survey responses from the four countries in this quantitative research: U.S. 1,500, U.K. 1,000, India 2,000 and Brazil 1,500.
Leading Locally: Small Business and Social Change
Small businesses want to help their communities and their customers want them to, as well. Points of Light commissioned a study aimed at helping nonprofits and small business owners seek each other out for mutually beneficial partnerships around social issues.
The quantitative study garnered more than 2,700 completed surveys from adults and small business owners.
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Imperative 21 - The Imperatives
Movement, business and political leaders are stuck in a dominant economic narrative that holds them back from addressing the biggest challenges we care about most. This research and report became the basis for developing the characteristics of the economic system we must move toward to achieve shared well-being on a healthy planet. Supported by Common Future.
An online survey instrument using quantitative approaches and open-ended inquiry was used for distribution to a convenience sample supplied by Imperative21.
University of Oxford - Movement of Movements
The goal of this collaborative global group is to create a movement of movements that mobilizes the collective impact needed to drive meaningful systemic change. Collaborators will expand the agency of an entire ecosystem of movements toward a common outcome.
This survey involved the development of new research tools to allow trained citizen researchers to collect relevant data, which was then validated by trained researchers.
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Research identifies the messengers Americans trust to become aware of, informed about and incite personal action on key social issues to inform brands, causes and civic groups working to educate and inspire the American public.
This mixed-methods study comprised a three-day online discussion and a journal activity for 40 and an online survey of more than 2,500,
The Ad Council conducted research to understand why some Americans were hesitant to get the COVID vaccine early on and who could best persuade them otherwise.
Through quantitative (online survey) and qualitative (online immersive discussion) research, this study reflects responses from more than 2,500 individuals..
In partnership with USA Track & Field and World Athletics, RUSA commissioned a new study of Gen Z (ages 18-24) and young millennials (ages 25-30) to better understand their attitudes and perceptions and help the running industry develop strategies to bring new, younger participants into the sport of road racing.
This quantitative study collected 2,500 online surveys.
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Founder and Lead Researcher: Cause and Social Influence
Since 2022, the Cause & Social Influence Initiative has been exploring who and what drives social movements in America. Through research, dialogue and shared experiences, the CSI initiative provides informed insights into how young Americans are moved to action for social change. By looking at industry, people and mechanisms and publishing data annually, CSI benchmarks movements and the methods used to build public engagement.
Co-founder and Lead Researcher: The Corporate Social Mind Research Reports
Research in the U.S. and Germany give companies in their respective countries insights they can learn from before speaking up or supporting social issues. Reports share the corporate actions consumers say will inspire their loyalty and positive responses, the people and companies inspiring their support and the social issues they deem most important.
Founder and Lead Researcher: The Millennial Impact ProjectFor more than a decade, the Millennial Impact Project built the largest body of data and analysison how U.S. millennials interacted with causes. Ten years of published research helping organizations understand the behavior and preferences of America’s largest generation has been downloaded more than 100,000 times and referenced in 5,500 international media outlets, social media, blogs, forums and other online outlets.