Mission: Keep Talent in Research Roles!
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
-
•
Researcher career paths are non-linear, more like snakes and ladders than ladders.
-
•
Three main UX research backgrounds each bring distinct strengths and blind spots: academic rigor, business storytelling, and bravery from career switchers.
-
•
Fit in UX research should be reframed as 'product market fit' to depersonalize hiring and role alignment.
-
•
UX research roles vary by proximity to product development: track builders (close), lookouts (managers), scouts (mid-future planning), and explorers (long-term vision).
-
•
Researchers often feel underutilized or frustrated due to poor management and unclear role expectations.
-
•
Quality definitions in research differ across contexts; sometimes relationship-building is more valuable than perfect data.
-
•
Negotiating research trade-offs and setting clear expectations is key to effective leadership and collaboration.
-
•
Burnout is pervasive in tech and often goes unrecognized; coaching and self-reflection can help mitigate it.
-
•
Embedding researchers flexibly in organizations—embedded vs. external advisors—depends on trust and team needs.
-
•
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."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"People must feel emotionally, physically, and psychologically safe in our design spaces."
Rachael Dietkus, LCSWTrauma-Responsive Design: Reimagining the Future of Design Now
December 10, 2021
"Language learning is a required component of the work because so much knowledge and values are stored in the language."
Victor UdoewaResearch in the Pluriverse
March 29, 2023
"If you hear what I’m saying and you’re uncomfortable, and I say I’ll do it your way, now you’re connected and you’ll back me until you can’t anymore."
Jacqui Frey Dan WillisPanel Discussion: Integrating DesignOps
November 7, 2018
"Artificial intelligence is reshaping our workflows. Our roles are shifting."
Ebru NamaldiDesigning the Designer’s Journey: Scaling Teams, Culture, and Growth Through DesignOps
September 11, 2025
"The tools on mobile are free and built-in, unlike desktop where accessibility tools often require licenses and procurement."
Sam ProulxMobile Accessibility: Why Moving Accessibility Beyond the Desktop is Critical in a Mobile-first World
March 10, 2022
"We're at a pivotal moment where technology can truly make a difference in sustainability."
Ash BrownSilver Linings: What DesignOps Learned in the Shift to WFH
October 23, 2020
"An ending occurs when the reality of your present moment shifts or changes all together."
Maria GiudiceEmpowering change: Reigniting purpose, passion and impact in research
March 13, 2025
"If you’re invited to some meetings and not others, it makes all the difference."
Andy Polaine Lavrans LøvlieWhat is the role of service design in product-led organizations?
December 3, 2024
"Crowdsourcing the map meant anyone in our community practice could edit, and it worked beautifully."
Saara Kamppari-MillerCartography for Design Communities
September 10, 2025
Latest Books All books
Dig deeper with the Rosenbot
How can large enterprises design pilot programs that effectively test new research tools without excessive delays?
What are the benefits of using Rosenbot for both UX students and instructors?
How do research operations teams manage the tension between consolidating tools and needing specialized capabilities?