Advancing Research 2025

Advancing Research 2025

March 11-13, 2025 • Live online conference

About

Advancing Research 2025 is the sixth edition of the annual Advancing Research conference. Researchers from all around the globe came together to collaboratively reassess the state of the practice, consider the increasingly complex demands being placed upon research teams and leaders, and work together to define clear roles, set goals, and establish scalable solutions for achieving them.

Videos

March 11, 2025

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Designing for Disability, Innovating for Everyone

Samuel Proulx • Accessibility Evangelist, Fable

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Research at an inflection point: Adapting to a new era of collaboration, equity, and innovation

Jemma Ahmed • Advancing Research Curator

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Shifting dynamics: The evolving relationship between researchers, participants, and organizational systems

Robert Fabricant • Co-Founder & Partner, Dalberg Design

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Redefining truth and inclusivity: Navigating data ownership and ethical research in the age of disinformation

Noah Bond • UX Research Lead, Hinge

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Redefining Toolkits: Unbundling to Create a Perfect Match

Benjamin Wiedmaier • Senior Content Marketing Manager, User Interviews
Annie Mayfield • Account Executive, User Interviews

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Curating insight: Strategies for integrating knowledge across research functions

Jen Cardello • Senior VP, UX Research and Insights, Fidelity Investments
Dr. Shadi Janansefat • Senior Data Scientist, Meta
Alex Wright • UX Leader, Google

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Coexisting with AI: A practical guide for researchers to navigate tools, ethics, and integration

Llewyn Paine • Strategy Consultant

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Coexisting with non-researchers: Practical strategies for a democratized research future

Sean McKay • Founder, Product Strategy & Design Consultant, Whole Product Thinking

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Strategic Shifts and Innovations in User Research: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

Jane Davis • Principal Researcher, Great Question

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Jemma Ahmed • Advancing Research Curator
Robert Fabricant • Co-Founder & Partner, Dalberg Design
Sean McKay • Founder, Product Strategy & Design Consultant, Whole Product Thinking
Llewyn Paine • Strategy Consultant
Kate Towsey • Author of Research That Scales
Noah Bond • UX Research Lead, Hinge

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Embracing change: Navigating shifting landscapes with compassion and agency

Jamika Burge • AI Design Insights Lead, Capital One

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Shaping the Next Era of UX Research: Collaborative Forum

Taylor Klassman • Director of Research, Dscout

March 12, 2025

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Research Strategy: Connecting Insights to Outcomes

Dr. Nikki Smith • Experience Research Manager, Enterprise Mobility

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Redefining the research toolkit: Expanding methodologies for a changing world

Jemma Ahmed • Advancing Research Curator
Megan Blocker • Director of User Research, DigitalOcean
Eduardo Ortiz • CEO and Founding Owner, Coforma

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Global insights: Embracing international and intercultural research for innovation

Chui Chui Tan • Cross-Cultural Strategist, Beyo Global

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Finding the unknown in the known: Harnessing meta-analysis and literature review

Katie Hansen • Senior UX Research Manager, Thumbtack

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Inclusive Research: Debunking Myths and Getting Started

Samuel Proulx • Accessibility Evangelist, Fable
Laur Baek • UX Researcher, Fable

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Harnessing behavioral science to uncover deeper truths

Amy Bucher • Author of Engaged

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Experimental research: techniques for deep, psychology-driven insights

Katie Hansen • Senior UX Research Manager, Thumbtack

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Designing with culture: Unlocking impactful insights for Product and UX

Deanna Mitchell • Research Consultant, Stripe Partners

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Embracing participation to unlock deeper truths in commercial research

Nidhi Singh Rathore • Assistant Professor of Design, Corcoran School of Arts & Design at George Washington University
Amber Davis • UX Research Director, Audible

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Back to basics, or start from scratch?

Julie Norvaisas • VP of Research, dscout
Pert Eilers • Group Program Manager of Research Operations, Adobe
Mina Jonsson • Director of User Experience Research, ADP

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Amplifying voices and enhancing user research through group interviews

Taiye Akin-Akinyosoye • Senior Consultant, Truth Consulting

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Unlocking the power of advanced quantitative methods

Ricardo Martins • Professor and Service designer

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Day 2 Theme Panel

Megan Blocker • Director of User Research, DigitalOcean
Amy Bucher • Author of Engaged
Katie Hansen • Senior UX Research Manager, Thumbtack
Ricardo Martins • Professor and Service designer
Nidhi Singh Rathore • Assistant Professor of Design, Corcoran School of Arts & Design at George Washington University

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Megan Blocker • Director of User Research, DigitalOcean

March 13, 2025

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Navigating organizational systems: Rethinking researcher’s role in driving change

Robin Beers • Customer Insights and Experience Design Lead, Wells Fargo

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

The power to heal and harm

Rachael Dietkus, LCSW • Digital Services Expert in Design & Social Work, United States Digital Service

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Learning from journalism: Balancing impactful communication with compassionate storytelling

Bruce Gillespie • Associate Professor, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Wilfrid Laurier University

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Claiming your power: Practical tools for amplifying your unique voice

Jess Greco • Director, Product Experience Design, Mastercard

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Positioning insight: Structuring teams, roles and careers for a changing research landscape

Megan Blocker • Director of User Research, DigitalOcean
Marieke McCloskey • Director of UX Research, LinkedIn
Renee Reid • Staff UX Design Researcher, LinkedIn

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Beyond insights: Rethinking the role of researchers as stewards of organizational wisdom

Sarah Fathallah • Social Designer and Researcher
Alba Villamil • User Experience Researcher

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Day 3 Theme Panel

Eduardo Ortiz • CEO and Founding Owner, Coforma
Robin Beers • Customer Insights and Experience Design Lead, Wells Fargo
Rachael Dietkus, LCSW • Digital Services Expert in Design & Social Work, United States Digital Service
Bruce Gillespie • Associate Professor, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Wilfrid Laurier University
Jess Greco • Director, Product Experience Design, Mastercard
Marieke McCloskey • Director of UX Research, LinkedIn
Renee Reid • Staff UX Design Researcher, LinkedIn

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Empowering change: Reigniting purpose, passion and impact in research

Maria Giudice • Co-author of Changemakers

Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Advancing Research 2025

Eduardo Ortiz • CEO and Founding Owner, Coforma

Speakers

Reconceiving the Purpose of Research

Explore the transformation in UX research, emphasizing collaboration, equity, and networked knowledge creation.

Redefining the Research Toolkit

Discover the expansion of research methodologies in response to industry shifts, and how we can drive innovation.

Reclaiming our Value as Researchers

Dive into the implications of shifting dynamics between researchers, participants, and organizations.

Quotes

"When we think about accessibility, we're thinking about a population that's much wider than what you might expect."

"Research is too important to fail."

"We are spending much more time at home and across almost all demographics and cultural identities, less time face-to-face socializing."

"Researchers must respect participants' ownership of their own narratives."

"When you get a best in class tool, you can execute more rigorous research."

"Our goal overall is to accelerate learning velocity to help deliver value to customers."

"There's a fear of being replaced by AI, particularly among researchers who have traditionally held the authoritative voice."

"Research is evolving; decisions need research no matter who does it."

"Research teams are focusing more on socialization, working with stakeholders to ensure insights are used."

"We must shift from being rigid in our skillsets to having an open mindset for innovative applications."

"User research is not in its best of times but it is not going anywhere."

"We are kind of dancing with these polarities."

"When you know yourself, you are empowered and invincible."

"The value we need to demonstrate has changed."

"Understanding local culture is often the make or break for success in global expansions."

"Literature reviews and meta-analyses are incredibly powerful tools to revisit, synthesize, and maximize the impact of the research you've already conducted."

"Today we are going to be diving into not the why of doing research involving people with disabilities, we're gonna be diving into the how."

"In healthcare, it's important that we don't just get people to do something one time, but we really get them to pick up a new way of behaving."

"AB tests are valuable, but they often stop at the what and don't uncover the why."

"Culture is about the stories we tell ourselves and others about who we are."

"What happens when we shift that dynamic, when we invite participants into the process?"

"Curiosity is your superpower. It's what will keep you sane."

"Focus groups allow us to bridge the gap between brands and consumers."

"With cluster analysis, we found at least three different groups with different needs."

"Everything is temporal as a tool and can be built upon."

"Do we scramble to regain our footing exactly where we stood before, or do we take a step in a new direction?"

"In the era of perpetual upheaval, the only thing we can control is how quickly we learn and act on that learning."

"You can't be neutral on a moving train."

"Communicating in an academic or marketing way really does a disservice to your work."

"The industry feels like a giant game of musical chairs with not enough seats."

"The more salient you can make insights, the more actionable they are."

"We have to recalibrate our relationship with insights."

"Having proactive relationships with legal teams turns challenging conversations into constructive dialogues."

"An ending occurs when the reality of your present moment shifts or changes all together."

"Reclaiming our value is not about shouting about our worth, it's about demonstrating it."