Welcome to Average Joes Lab - Democratizing Research for Everyone
Welcome to Average Joes Lab - where ordinary people do extraordinary research! I'm thrilled to introduce you to our mission of democratizing research and pulling it out of the exclusive hands of traditional academia and corporations.
Why Average Joes Lab Exists
For too long, research has been gatekept by institutions, creating barriers that prevent brilliant minds from contributing to human knowledge simply because they lack the "right" credentials or institutional affiliations. We're changing that.
At Average Joes Lab, we believe that:
- Curiosity knows no boundaries - Anyone with genuine interest can contribute to research
- Innovation comes from diversity - The best solutions emerge when different perspectives collaborate
- Knowledge should be free - Research findings belong to humanity, not behind paywalls
- Community beats competition - Collaborative research produces better outcomes than isolated efforts
What Makes Us Different
Open by Default
Every piece of research, methodology, and finding from our community is completely open access. No paywalls, no institutional barriers, no gatekeeping.
Community-Driven Peer Review
Instead of relying on traditional academic peer review (which can take months or years), we use community-driven review processes that value merit over credentials.
Practical Focus
We don't just theorize - we build, test, and implement. Our research has real-world applications and aims to solve actual problems.
Mentorship & Support
New to research? No problem! Our community includes experienced research engineers who provide mentorship and guidance to help you succeed.
Our Research Areas
We're focused on cutting-edge areas where citizen researchers can make meaningful contributions:
AI & Machine Learning Research
- Developing accessible AI methodologies
- Ethical AI research and implementation
- Community-driven model development
- Open-source AI tools and frameworks
Research Methodologies
- Democratized research practices
- Community peer review systems
- Open science tools and workflows
- Reproducible research frameworks
Emerging Technologies
- Blockchain and decentralized systems
- Quantum computing accessibility
- IoT and edge computing research
- Sustainable technology solutions
Open Science Initiatives
- Breaking down academic barriers
- Creating accessible research tools
- Building global research communities
- Advancing scientific transparency
Your Research Journey Starts Here
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced researcher looking for a more open environment, we have resources for you:
Research Engineering Learning Path
Our comprehensive 16-week program takes you from research novice to contributing community member:
- Weeks 1-4: Research foundations and methodology
- Weeks 5-8: Technical skills and tools
- Weeks 9-12: Hands-on research projects
- Weeks 13-16: Community contribution and leadership
Open Research Papers
Explore our growing collection of community-generated research - all freely available and openly licensed.
Join Our Community
Connect with fellow citizen researchers, find collaborators, and get support for your projects.
Success Stories (Coming Soon!)
We're just getting started, but we're already seeing incredible contributions from our community members. Stay tuned for stories of:
- Career changers who became research contributors
- Independent researchers who published groundbreaking findings
- Collaborative projects that solved real-world problems
- Community innovations that advanced open science
How You Can Contribute
For Beginners
- Join our Discord community and introduce yourself
- Start with our Research Path to build foundational skills
- Participate in community discussions and ask questions
- Contribute to existing projects to gain experience
For Experienced Researchers
- Share your expertise by mentoring newcomers
- Lead research projects in your area of interest
- Contribute to our methodology and best practices
- Help build tools that enable better research
For Everyone
- Spread the word about democratized research
- Share resources that could help the community
- Provide feedback on research papers and projects
- Collaborate on projects that interest you
What's Coming Next
We have exciting plans for the future:
Q1 2025
- Research project matching system to connect collaborators
- Community mentorship program launch
- First community research publications
- Research tools and templates release
Q2 2025
- Virtual research conferences and presentations
- Partnership programs with like-minded organizations
- Advanced research methodologies workshops
- Community-driven research grants program
Beyond
- Global research network expansion
- Industry partnership opportunities
- Academic collaboration initiatives
- Research impact measurement and tracking
Let's Connect
I'm personally committed to making this vision a reality, and I'd love to hear from you:
- What research areas interest you most?
- What barriers have you faced in traditional research?
- How can we better support citizen researchers?
- What would make you excited to contribute to research?
Join our Discord community and let's start the conversation!
Welcome to the Future of Research
Average Joes Lab isn't just another research organization - it's a movement. A movement toward:
- Accessible research for everyone
- Open knowledge sharing
- Community-driven innovation
- Merit-based contribution
- Real-world impact focus
Whether you're a software engineer curious about AI research, a teacher interested in educational technology, a retiree with decades of industry experience, or a student passionate about making a difference - there's a place for you here.
Research is too important to be left only to researchers in ivory towers. Every curious mind has the potential to contribute to human knowledge.
Welcome to Average Joes Lab. Let's democratize research together!
Ready to start your research journey? Join our community and explore our Research Engineering Learning Path.
Chase Dovey
Founder & Head Research Engineer, Average Joes Lab