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Summary
If you’ve followed LinkedIn of late, it’s clear that UX researchers are frustrated. They feel their work is undervalued, their strategic contributions are marginalized, and their jobs have been made redundant. Multiple fingers have been pointed in multiple directions, and—as you’d expect from social media—the discussion has often ended up in a decidedly sour place. In light of The big design freakout and the UX research reckoning, there is an important conversation to be had about the changing roles of research, design, and product, and where we go from here. In light of this, Rosenfeld’s Advancing Research community is hosting a panel of respected, collaborative, and opinionated experts from the disciplines/functions at the core of this changing dynamic: Jamika Burge, Teresa Torres, Robert Fabricant, Noam Segal, and Peter Merholz—to stop litigating the past, and engage in a positive, constructive conversation about the future of UX research. Panelists: Jamika Burge, Robert Fabricant, Noam Segal, Teresa Torres Moderated by: Peter Merholz
Key Insights
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UX research needs to evolve alongside technology and AI.
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Gamma is vital to understanding the human experience in a tech-driven world.
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Democratizing research allows for broader participation but requires caution on quality.
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Organizations must engage employees in customer interactions for authentic insights.
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Teaching basic research skills to non-researchers is beneficial but does not replace professional researchers.
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The value of research often lies not in preliminary findings but in actionable insights and application.
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Maintaining rigorous standards in research is key amid efforts to democratize it.
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Measuring the quality of research should involve understanding reliability and validity.
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The integration of AI in research processes has both opportunities and risks.
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Change management is crucial for successfully navigating the future of UX research.
Notable Quotes
"User research is foundational to UX design, and we must advocate for it."
"We build for humans, which remains unchanged despite evolving tools and methodologies."
"The practice of UX research is in a state of flux; we must reflect on our values and methods."
"Every team member should have direct exposure to customers to truly be customer-centric."
"There's always going to be a role for skilled researchers; democratization doesn't eliminate that."
"The context of our work matters, especially in times that burden the human experience."
"Change management isn't just about managing processes; it requires understanding people's behaviors."
"Quality in research isn't just about credentials but the impact and applicability of insights."
"Integrating AI into our research practices presents both challenges and opportunities for deeper user understanding."
"We need to shift how we talk about quality in research to create clearer standards."
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