Summary
We need more people with research skills in positions of influence and leadership in tech companies, but it can be difficult to feel like we’re succeeding in our roles, let alone growing into leadership. There is a lot to contend with—from the inevitable chaos of quickly growing organizations, or struggling to find “fit” when working with product teams, to ethical dilemmas about the unintended consequences of the technologies we help create. Rebecca Buck will discuss the most prevalent areas of conflict she has seen lead to researchers leaving teams, companies, or distancing themselves from the title “researcher”. Through stories and examples she will cover common patterns of frustration and offer tips and frameworks for navigating issues of defining the role of research, championing quality, and increasing influence with stakeholders.
Key Insights
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Researcher career paths are non-linear, more like snakes and ladders than ladders.
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Three main UX research backgrounds each bring distinct strengths and blind spots: academic rigor, business storytelling, and bravery from career switchers.
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Fit in UX research should be reframed as 'product market fit' to depersonalize hiring and role alignment.
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UX research roles vary by proximity to product development: track builders (close), lookouts (managers), scouts (mid-future planning), and explorers (long-term vision).
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Researchers often feel underutilized or frustrated due to poor management and unclear role expectations.
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Quality definitions in research differ across contexts; sometimes relationship-building is more valuable than perfect data.
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Negotiating research trade-offs and setting clear expectations is key to effective leadership and collaboration.
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Burnout is pervasive in tech and often goes unrecognized; coaching and self-reflection can help mitigate it.
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Embedding researchers flexibly in organizations—embedded vs. external advisors—depends on trust and team needs.
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Effective UX researchers wear many hats: translators, storytellers, facilitators, and bridge builders across disciplines.
Notable Quotes
"I want researchers in the room in positions of power and influence to help executives see the broader social implications of technology."
"With all this influx into UX research, many still struggle to find their footing and feel underutilized."
"My career has looked more like a game of snakes and ladders than a straight ladder."
"Fit is an important question; it just needs to be reframed thoughtfully to avoid discriminatory connotations."
"I love that clients don’t actually care what I call myself as long as I’m helping them achieve great outcomes."
"Sometimes, right, you feel like you’re about to be run over by the delivery train, and that pressure shapes how research is received."
"When definitions of quality differ, it’s all about trade-offs and meeting people where they are."
"If your recreational reading is about prison camp survivorship or hostage negotiations, you might have burnout."
"Researchers are translators, storytellers, facilitators, and bridge builders. I love that bridge-building dimension."
"There’s so many ways to change team dynamics by getting closer or further from that train."
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