What is research theater? How is it identified? Why should I care? What can I do if I suspect it? Research theater refers to situations where organizations claim to be conducting research but are actually just going through the motions without the necessary expertise, rigor, or fidelity. In sum, the appearance of research is prioritized over the substance.   Original image from Freepik   It’s important to be able to identify the signs when research lacks credibility and may be more for show than for genuine inquiry or improvement. Image from Freepik Here are some red flags to watch ..read more

    I just had a terrific conversation with a UXR colleague navigating a recent layoff. She worked in the role for nearly six years. Having worked alongside her for nearly two of those six years I can personally vouch for her incredible talent, awesomeness, and dedication. Now, she's contemplating a significant career pivot, possibly leaving corporate America to either launch her own business or explore civic tech. This discussion evolved into entrepreneurship among applied researchers. I’ve often wondered (and have asked many of you!) why entrepreneurship isn't more common in our ..read more

Looking for ways to articulate and demonstrate user research strategic value? Here are 28 different approaches. It’s paramount to emphasize how the work directly contributes to the org’s success during the initial intake process and to reinforce these outcomes in both the share-outs and archives. Contributes to Strategic Goals​ Align with Business Objectives: Clearly link UXR activities to the org’s overarching business goals and objectives. Guide Product Roadmaps: Use insights to inform and prioritize the product roadmap. Inform Marketing Strategies: Leverage UXR to refine marketing eff ..read more

Yesterday I joined a riveting panel discussion by Rosenfield Media titled “A Genuine Conversation about the Future of UX Research,” with an audience of 400 + researchers and industry leaders. A key question was: “What is quality research?” This hit close to my heart, as I often think in terms of tools and templates for teaching UXR and elevating our industry’s appreciation and value for it. Original image from Freepik Quality user research serves as the backbone of product strategy and business and design decision making. It’s a systematic exploration aimed at uncovering needs, behaviors, an ..read more

Here are 28 ideas for UXR teams to articulate and demonstrate its strategic value. It's paramount to emphasize how the work directly contributes to the org's success during the initial intake process and to reinforce these outcomes in both the share-outs and archives. Contributes to Strategic Goals Align with Business Objectives: Clearly link UXR activities to the org’s overarching business goals and objectives. Guide Product Roadmaps: Use insights to inform and prioritize the product roadmap. Inform Marketing Strategies: Leverage UXR to refine marketing efforts. Support Expansion: Us ..read more

    Despite what many might think, getting to the heart of user experiences isn’t easy. It’s a cerebral adventure that requires preparation, innovative methods, artful interviewing skills, sharp analysis, and empathy. This two-part workshop will show you the massive difference between customer and sales calls versus proper user research, teach you about the primary tools and processes trained professional researchers employ, and why. We’ll also discuss what goes into effective research plans, why plans are critical, the key to crafting research questions that unearth meaningful ins ..read more

Sharing user research case studies plays a pivotal role in documenting the process and outcomes of our research experiences and journeys. It's through these narratives that we, as a community, showcase the breadth of our expertise, the depth of our insights, and the impact of our work on product development and strategy. Today, we extend a unique opportunity to our Fuel Your Curiosity community to contribute to a growing repository of knowledge and expertise. The Power of Case Studies Case studies provide primary evidence of our ability to navigate complex problems, devise innovative solutions ..read more

    Join us for a specialized workshop to elevate the professional stature of UXers and beyond. Led by Philip VanDusen, a luminary in branding and design, this session will begin, or build on, your personal branding goals to establish yourself as a distinguished and recognized thought leader in the tech industry. This event requires registration on Eventbrite. A calendar invitation with Zoom link will be sent to everyone who will be joining live. The recording will be sent to all Eventbrite registrants whether they attend live or not. Learn more >> ..read more

PLEASE JOIN US: We’re holding a panel discussion called “From Data to Difference: Purpose-Driven User Research”. Our three panelists are: Aesclinn Donohue, Human-Centered Designer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Fatima Gutierrez Jhong, User Experience Researcher, Code for America Graham Colby, Senior UX Researcher, Fable They’ll be speaking about various aspects of their purpose-driven research experiences, sharing their favorite resources, and discussing the following: UX Research Practices and Methodologies What user research questions do you explore in your purpose-driven r ..read more

  image by Freepik   Why aren't more researchers and PMs transitioning into entrepreneurship? There are profound synergies. I see the relationships and connections everywhere. Here are 10 shared harmonies that blend UXR with entrepreneurship specifically: 1. Empathy as a Currency Whether cultivating a startup or conducting user research, empathy is the bedrock. Understanding your users or customers is akin to grasping the pulse of your market—both essential for success. 2. Iterative Mindset Entrepreneurs and user researchers share a common trait—an unwavering commitment to iter ..read more