Awkward Silences Special Release! Research Ops 2.0, Episode 1: The Evolution of ResearchOps
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Aug 19, 2025 Lexi Breitz, Director of Research, Data Science, and UX Operations at Workday, shares her insights on the rapid transformation of ResearchOps. She discusses how the field evolved from niche beginnings to a global profession, emphasizing the importance of adapting to shifting roles. Lexi highlights the integration of AI, the need for specialized skills, and the shift towards strategic thinking in research ops. She reflects on personal experiences that underscore the challenges and opportunities professionals face in this dynamic landscape.
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Rapid Rise From Labs To Profession
- ResearchOps evolved rapidly from a niche lab function to a global profession in about a decade.
- Early practitioners solved scaling pain with scrappy, first-principles problem solving.
Recruiting Via Craigslist And Spreadsheets
- Tim Toy and others recruited participants manually using Craigslist and spreadsheets in early ResearchOps roles.
- They handled screening, scheduling, and compensating participants as a largely full-service recruiting function.
Tools Shifted Ops Toward Systems
- Purpose-built research tools emerged mid-decade and reduced manual work significantly.
- Tools shifted ResearchOps from tactical execution to systems and orchestration roles.
