Theme One Intro
Summary
The talk opens by reflecting on the growing community of researchers eager to learn and transform together, a theme initiated by Chris and Jim last year. It emphasizes that transformation becomes most vivid in moments of significant disruption, whether personally, organizationally, or industry-wide, such as the current economic challenges in tech. Lesan’s story about leaving research raises questions about whether organizations are prepared to evolve. Upcoming talks by Mia, Cassini, my Ed, and Caitlin will delve into responsible, radical, and inclusive research to push the craft’s boundaries. Chloe and Florence address cultural intersections and speculative futures, illustrating how transformation occurs through dialogue when diverse groups meet and bend new paths together. The speaker urges participants not only to absorb knowledge but to embrace transformation as a way of life, blending personal growth with professional evolution for deeper, sustained impact.
Key Insights
-
•
Transformation in research is heightened during periods of personal, organizational, or industry upheaval.
-
•
Lesan’s departure from research highlights the tension between individual change and organizational willingness to adapt.
-
•
Responsible, radical, and inclusive research approaches represent deeper transformations of the research craft.
-
•
Conversation between different groups fosters transformation by creating paths neither party would take alone.
-
•
Cultural and futurist perspectives, like Chloe’s and Florence’s, expand the ways transformation is understood and practiced.
-
•
Practicing transformation in life makes it easier and more authentic to integrate it into research work.
-
•
Transformation is not only a goal but a continuous process of bending and turning with difference.
-
•
Engagement beyond passive listening—such as interactive conversations in cohorts and Slack—amplifies transformation.
-
•
Transformation involves openness to new ways of being, knowing, doing, working, living, and breathing.
-
•
Taking notes or sketching ideas is encouraged but openness to the experience and challenge is paramount.
Notable Quotes
"Transformation research is a transformative force."
"In times of great upheaval, possibilities for transformation become more alive."
"Lesan left research and what the organization chooses to do next is up to them."
"Conversation converts — with or alongside, it means bend or turn."
"When difference comes together, something new emerges neither could have traveled alone."
"If we practice transformation as a way of life, it’s easier to practice it in our research work."
"It’s so much harder to not practice transformation outside and then suddenly switch gears at work."
"Open yourself up to the ways of being, knowing, doing, working, living, and breathing of others."
"We’re going to laugh, learn, listen, and maybe take some sketch notes."
"I hope that today you are transformed."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"If diversity alone made research inclusive, then police could never be anti-black because they include black officers."
Victor UdoewaBeyond Methods and Diversity: The Roots of Inclusion
March 26, 2024
"Democratizing code with an internal open source model accelerates innovation."
Bill ScottLean Engineering: Engineering for Learning and Experimentation in the Enterprise
May 14, 2015
"Nonprofits often treat communities served as stakeholders, which drives authentic inclusion in design."
Lija HoganContexts of Use: A Framework for Connection
December 9, 2021
"We don’t want anyone to change their favorite tools; we build plugins to share wireframes or prototypes directly."
Aurobinda Pradhan Shashank DeshpandeIntroduction to Collaborative DesignOps using Cubyts
September 9, 2022
"We act as the connective tissue that runs in our teams and help them run more efficiently."
Jilanna WilsonDistributed DesignOps Management
February 26, 2019
"You never start AI product design from the technology itself; you start from the user outcomes and retro-engineer the needed context."
Peter Van DijckBuilding impactful AI products for design and product leaders, Part 3: Understand AI architectures: RAG, Agents, Oh My!
July 30, 2025
"User experience is shaped not just by product interaction but also by pricing, promotion, distribution, and brand communications."
Nicole Aleong Michaela Mora Prayag Narula Brianna SylverWhat UX research can learn from other research practices [Advancing Research Community Workshop Series]
September 14, 2023
"The work right now isn't about outrunning the reasoning gap. The goal is to build bridges across it."
Beth ChappellLeading through ambiguity: Supporting a design team relearning their craft
June 9, 2026
"Let’s all advocate for AI products and processes that keep the human at the center."
Llewyn PaineDay 1 Using AI in UX with Impact
June 10, 2025
