Our Philosophy
Human curiosity and creativity are the basis for discovery
The origins of science come from people wanting to understand the world around them. This motivation coupled with ingenuity has led to the development of tools, techniques, and bodies of knowledge which deepen this understanding, as well as technologies and applications that solve problems and improve the human condition. We ask questions - why? how? what if? - in new and interesting ways, drawing from our human experience, with curiosity and creativity ultimately combining to be both the reason and mechanism for discovery.
Curiosity and creativity are innate
Curiosity and creativity are a core part of the human condition - what makes us unique, and what drives us. Like muscles they can be trained, but all of us have them in some form. We can provide an environment that allows people to more effectively harness these abilities through opportunity, accessibility, and support.
Curiosity and creativity are amplified through play
From an early age, we use play as a mechanism to reason about the world. It is a joyful process, guided by intuition, and full of experimentation. It is inherently linked with curiosity and creativity, inviting us to explore the unknown and express our ideas. By recognizing the value of play, we support a process of discovery that is both natural and motivating.
Collaboration and technology are force multipliers
Together, people are able to achieve more than any individual by leveraging a variety of perspectives, insights, and skills. Even the process of collaboration itself can be transformative, leading individuals to develop their ideas and consider new directions. The integration of technology is its own kind of collaboration - well designed technology systems and interfaces allow for low-friction, high-feedback interaction between humans and machines, not only allowing the strengths of each to be most effectively leveraged in concert, but further allowing for continuous improvement.
Increased access to science and technology means more discoveries, increased agency, and support of ethics and equitability
Its a simple numbers game - the more eyes on the problem, the more opportunities for transformational insights. But it's not just about scale. It's also about providing opportunities for those who typically lack a seat at the table to be heard, represented, and advance the problems that matter to them. It means ensuring the direction of science and technology is guided not just by the few, but by the whole of society for the betterment of all people.
Human-focused science and technology can solve some of our world's largest, most pressing problems
It's no secret that we as a society are facing large problems, which can be hard to even wrap our heads around. But by focusing on the people impacted and the people who will deliver progress, we see both what's at stake and a path forward. We have a chance to allow everyone to contribute to a better future.
Our Approach
Frameshifter works to engage the public in scientific research through games, collective and hybrid intelligence, and human-centered design. We work to make scientific research more accessible, develop powerful technologies and platforms for accelerating science, engaging broad, diverse communities, support under-resourced problems and communities through access to transformative scientific capacity, and advocate for science to be centered in the interest of all people.