Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
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
-
•
UX research needs to evolve alongside technology and AI.
-
•
Gamma is vital to understanding the human experience in a tech-driven world.
-
•
Democratizing research allows for broader participation but requires caution on quality.
-
•
Organizations must engage employees in customer interactions for authentic insights.
-
•
Teaching basic research skills to non-researchers is beneficial but does not replace professional researchers.
-
•
The value of research often lies not in preliminary findings but in actionable insights and application.
-
•
Maintaining rigorous standards in research is key amid efforts to democratize it.
-
•
Measuring the quality of research should involve understanding reliability and validity.
-
•
The integration of AI in research processes has both opportunities and risks.
-
•
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."
















More Videos

"Job security in design is high because the work is complex."
John MaedaMaking Sense of Enterprise UX
June 9, 2016

"It’s essential to approach thinking styles without prior demographic assumptions."
Indi YoungThinking styles: Mend hidden cracks in your market
January 8, 2025

"Rapid experimentation leads to insights, which in turn fuel innovation."
Chris ChapoData Science and Design: A Tale of Two Tribes
May 13, 2015

"We're mining our practices to track impact over time."
Elizabeth ChurchillExploring Cadence: You, Your Team, and Your Enterprise
June 8, 2017

"We had to put together very intentional and deliberate rituals."
Rusha SopariwalaRemote, Together: Craft and Collaboration Across Disciplines, Borders, Time Zones, and a Design Org of 170+
June 9, 2022

"Design helps build capital and seeks comfort."
George AyeThat Quiet Little Voice: When Design and Ethics Collide
November 16, 2022

"It's our capacity to be robust under conditions of enormous stress and change that will keep us resilient."
Ariba JahanTeam Resiliency Through a Pandemic
January 8, 2024

"Design thinking is a set of behaviors, not just a toolbox of methods."
Julie Gitlin Esther RaiceDesign as an Agent of Digital Transformation at JPMC
June 9, 2021

"We can decide how to improve the trust of our users based on the way we are transparent with them."
Matteo GrattonCan Data and Ethics Live Together?
October 1, 2021