The Importance of Adaptability in User Research | Anne-Charlotte Triplet (PayFit)

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Anne-Charlotte Triple is a Senior UX Researcher at Payfit, a leading HR and payroll software company. After spending 10 years conducting research in humanitarian aid across conflict zones, she made the switch to tech during her pregnancy. With a PhD in sociology and experience working with organizations like UNICEF and the World Bank, she first joined LiveMentor, an EdTech platform helping entrepreneurs develop their business, before moving to Payfit.

What makes her story interesting is how she's adapted her research skills from crisis zones to tech products, while maintaining the same core focus: understanding human needs to create meaningful impact. She's also become quite the AI enthusiast — though she'll be the first to tell you why human insight still matters most.

In our conversation, we discuss:

* Anne Charlotte shares her journey from academia and humanitarian work to UX research in tech, highlighting the transferable skills and challenges in the transition.

* Despite technological advancements, fundamental research methods remain constant, while tools have evolved to increase efficiency and accuracy.

* Adaptability is crucial for user researchers, but it must be applied strategically to ensure meaningful impact without being overwhelmed.

* AI offers opportunities to streamline time-consuming tasks, but it requires careful use to maintain research rigor and avoid misinformation.

* Building strong relationships and adapting communication styles to different teams help ensure research findings drive actionable business decisions.

Interested in diving into using AI in your research to make you more efficient and effective (and to help you focus on the good parts of UXR)? Check out my AI prompt library.

Some takeaways:

* Successful researchers don’t just adapt to changes—they do so strategically. Start with small experiments, learn what works, and gradually scale. Whether it’s new methodologies, tools, or team dynamics, staying flexible while maintaining a clear focus ensures long-term success.

* While AI can automate transcription and data synthesis, it’s crucial to cross-check insights manually to maintain accuracy and depth. Researchers should use AI to free up time for deeper analysis, rather than relying on it for interpreting complex human behaviors.

* Understanding how different teams consume information—whether they prefer reports, quick summaries, or visuals—is essential. Tailoring research outputs to their needs ensures that insights are actionable and drive real business value.

* Researchers should avoid the trap of constantly seeking new tools. Instead, focus on mastering a few that truly improve workflow efficiency, such as AI for transcription and synthesis, while maintaining a hands-on approach to interpretation.

* Rather than trying to collaborate with everyone, focus on building meaningful relationships with key stakeholders. Regular check-ins, early involvement in research projects, and aligning research goals with business priorities foster trust and greater impact.

Where to find Anne-Charlotte:

* LinkedIn

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors.

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