Summary
Jen, a curator of the Advancing Research Community, begins the third day with a British folk story called The Hope of the Hind, symbolizing moments of hope that sustain communities through crises. She connects this metaphor to the day’s themes, encouraging pause and renewal in the challenging journey of research. Speakers include Jill, who advocates breaking down silos to integrate diverse data sources for holistic customer insight; Jennifer, demonstrating ecosystem mapping as a practical way to unify data; Cora and Rachel, emphasizing the overlooked value of secondary research; Muncie, presenting frameworks for inclusive design through combined primary and secondary insights; Harry and RS, questioning the democratization of data and insight ownership; and Victor, challenging foundational perceptions of data itself in plural systems. Jen frames the day as an opportunity to transform research craft by joining efforts across boundaries and reimagining what data means in practice.
Key Insights
-
•
A folk story about hope can metaphorically inspire resilience in research and organizational challenges.
-
•
Breaking down silos within and across teams is critical for gaining holistic customer insights.
-
•
Ecosystem mapping is a practical tool for connecting different data sources effectively.
-
•
Secondary research deserves stronger consideration as it adds valuable context and depth to insights.
-
•
Combining primary and secondary research strengthens inclusivity, particularly for underrepresented groups like women.
-
•
The concept of democratization of data and insights raises questions about roles and responsibilities within organizations.
-
•
Researchers must sometimes move beyond democratization to rethink who holds insight and decision-making power.
-
•
Data should be reconsidered through pluralist lenses, challenging traditional notions of what data is and can be.
-
•
Small moments of pause and hope within research journeys can restore energy and motivation for collective progress.
-
•
Transforming research craft involves embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative data perspectives.
Notable Quotes
"What that chance encounter does is provide a small moment of hope and stillness that gives him a chance to renew his energy."
"We have an imperative to break down silos within and across different teams in research and outside it."
"Ecosystem mapping can practically join up different data sources to create holistic insight."
"Secondary research should be given significantly stronger consideration in our practice."
"Combining primary and secondary knowledge builds powerful insight for stronger inclusivity of women."
"Who is responsible for insight and data within an organization remains a crucial question as we explore democratization."
"Perhaps we shouldn't even be moving beyond the concept of democratization but rethinking it altogether."
"Let's challenge the very foundations of how and what we see as data in plural systems."
"Join together as a community inch by inch to find a way through what feels impossible."
"What does it mean to transform our craft? That is the question we must all ask ourselves today."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Change doesn’t happen because we made a product; change happens through how people respond and behave."
Boon Yew ChewMaking Sense of Systems—and Using Systems to Make Sense of the Enterprise
June 6, 2023
"If you measure an infinite number of customers, every change would be statistically significant, but not every change would be meaningful."
Landon BarnesAre My Research Findings Actually Meaningful?
March 10, 2022
"The business value of design operations is hidden, unclear, and not even talked about."
Patrizia Bertini Alexandra Mengoni LeónPushing DesignOps’ Influence into New Global Markets
September 9, 2022
"Design Ops brings the joy back into design."
Jacqui FreyScale is Social Work
March 19, 2020
"This is us. This is all of us in this room. That could be your mom or your son or your daughter or you that have been through that."
Robert SchwartzWe're Here for the Humans
June 9, 2017
"I have learned not to hold on too tightly to the ideas I’ve constructed about myself."
Tamara HaleWar Stories LIVE! Tamara Hale
March 30, 2020
"Stop saying rest is a luxury or a privilege. It is not. It is a human right."
Zariah CameronReDesigning Wellbeing for Equitable Care in the Workplace
September 23, 2024
"AI isn’t about being an expert for most roles yet, but being AI conversant and experimental is crucial."
Dave Hoffer Joanne WeaverUX Job Search AMA #3 with Joanne Weaver and Dave Hoffer
July 16, 2025
"You wanna do rapid research when the feedback or the findings is gonna be focused and impactful."
Feleesha SterlingBuilding a Rapid Research Program
May 18, 2023
