How to… Build a Project Website
When we began the Powerful Perpetrators project at the University of Bristol, we knew it would require trust, clarity, and long-term engagement. With a five-year timeline, we wanted a space to share updates, provide context, and direct people to further information during interviews and conferences. Rather than relying on static outputs, we built a website that could evolve alongside the research.
Transparency
Transparency was central to our approach. Researching structures of power often means engaging with opaque systems, so we aimed to make our definitions, scope, and assumptions as clear as possible. By documenting our decisions and rationale, we created a resource that stakeholders could engage with directly, reducing the need for repeated explanation. At the same time, we carefully balanced openness with ethical and data protection boundaries. These blog posts extend that commitment by sharing how we’ve worked as a team.
Teamwork
With a team of four, the process was genuinely collaborative. Decisions were discussed, tested, and agreed collectively, drawing on different perspectives and experiences. For example, early landing page imagery using professional silhouettes was reconsidered after feedback that it felt overly dark, leading us to adopt a more neutral approach. This iterative process ensured shared ownership and investment.
Testing
We quickly realised the site’s structure didn’t need to be fixed and adapted it as new content emerged. Tone was also challenging, we aimed to be clear, open, and sensitive while maintaining focus. Alongside the site, we built interactive R Shiny tools to help users engage with the data and project progress. We also responded to user behaviour, improving mobile usability after seeing strong engagement at events.
Ultimately, the site remains an evolving, collaborative space. Thanks for reading, we hope you’ll explore it further and follow the project as it develops.
© Nate Birdsall & Emma Yapp for the Powerful Perpetrators project, 2026.