The User Research Strategist: UXR | Impact | Career

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.— Ruby Pryor is the founder of Rex. Rex is a UX research and strategic design consulting firm. Ruby has worked in Design and Customer Experience for a decade across Australia and Asia. Her previous experience includes working for Boston Consulting Group, Grab and Nous Group. She is a recognized global expert, has spoken at UX conferences in 6 countries and has been interviewed on CNA. In our conversation, we discuss:* Why cultural localization of apps/products is so important * UX Research’s strategic role within organizations* The importance of mitigating risk through UX research* The need to collaborate across teamsRuby is hosting a new cohort for her Write for Impact course: https://maven.com/rexperience/writingforimpact (Use NIKKI20, which Ruby generously shared, and get a 20% discount)Some takeaways:* UX researchers should advocate for deeper localization efforts, ensuring the product experience feels natural and intuitive for users in different regions. For instance, reviewing user flows with regional preferences in mind or conducting localized user research can help prevent alienating non-US users.* UX researchers should participate in early product strategy discussions to ensure localization and other user-focused decisions are embedded from the start, reducing costly missteps. They should also actively engage with business and strategy teams, framing research insights around risk reduction and business opportunities. Being part of the conversation early can help UX researchers influence decisions like feature prioritization and product launches in new markets.* Demonstrating the tangible value of UX research can be difficult because it often prevents negative outcomes that aren’t immediately measurable. Document the decisions before and after research to show their impact. Track the changes made after research insights are applied. For example, if a feature that was initially prioritized is deprioritized due to research findings, quantify the potential cost savings in terms of development time and resources to showcase the value of your work.* UX researchers often limit their collaboration to product teams but should also connect with business operations and strategy departments to align research insights with broader business goals. Seek out opportunities to network and collaborate with stakeholders in business strategy, operations, and marketing. Understanding their goals can help researchers align their findings with broader organizational objectives, increasing the overall impact of UX research.* A core part of UX research is mitigating risk by identifying potential usability issues before they reach the market, but this impact often goes unnoticed because it prevents problems rather than solves them. Keep a clear record of what decisions would have been made without research insights, and show how research prevented potential errors, resource waste, or user frustration. This can help quantify the “hidden” value of your research efforts.Where to find Ruby:* Website: www.rexhq.io and www.rubypryor.com * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-pryor/* Impact sizing masterclasses: https://www.rexhq.io/masterclasses This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Discover the art of crafting user research proposals tailored for specific industries, like legal tech. Learn about defining critical business problems and employing effective research strategies. The conversation dives into essential components for a successful proposal, including participant recruitment and showcasing potential ROI. Personal insights and impactful case studies illustrate how user experience research can significantly drive business growth. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their proposal-building skills!

👋 Hey, Nikki here! Welcome to this month’s ✨ free podcast ✨ of User Research Academy. Three times a month, I tackle reader questions about the ins and outs of user research through my podcast, and share super concrete tips and examples on user research methods, approaches, careers, or situations.If you want to see everything I post, subscribe below!Resources:* Connect with Giulia* Career jumping from UXR to PM This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Resources:* UX Forensics - check out my website* Join my membership!* Submit a topic/question This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Content note:While we won’t be discussing details about specific traumatic experiences, we will be mentioning examples of trauma and trauma responses. Because even high-level discussions like these can be activating for those who have experienced trauma, we want to invite listeners to pay attention to how you’re feeling (emotionally and physically) as you listen. If you find yourself experiencing a strong reaction, we encourage you to pause to care for yourself, whether that includes recentering with deep and measured breathing or stepping away.Resources:* Marja’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marja-germans-gard-phd/* Marja’s website: https://marjagermansgardphd.com/Listen: * A Trauma-Informed Future with Katie Kurtz (podcast)* Laura van Dernoot Lipsky on Future Tripping (podcast)Read: * Cultivating Resiliencies for All: The Necessity of Trauma Responsive Research Practices (article by Matt Bernius and Rachael Dietkus)* Practicing without a license (article by Tad Hirsch)* Design for Safety (book by Eva PenzeyMoog)* Trauma Informed Design resources website (a resource repository: https://www.tidresources.org/)* Trauma-Informed Design Research (Medium article by Jax Wechsler)* SAMHSA principles: https://www.cdc.gov/orr/infographics/6_principles_trauma_info.htmFollow: * Rachael Dietkus, Melissa Eggleston, Carol Scott, PhDJoin:* Trauma-Informed Design Discussion Group (request to join using this form) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

👋 Hey, Nikki here! Welcome to this month’s ✨ free podcast ✨ of User Research Academy. Three times a month, I tackle reader questions about the ins and outs of user research through my podcast, and share super concrete tips and examples on user research methods, approaches, careers, or situations.If you want to see everything I post, subscribe below!Resources:* Follow Ana on LinkedIn* “The tools” by Phil Stutz* Join my membership!* Submit a topic/question This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

👋 Hey, Nikki here! Welcome to this month’s ✨ free podcast ✨ of User Research Academy. Three times a month, I tackle reader questions about the ins and outs of user research through my podcast, and share super concrete tips and examples on user research methods, approaches, careers, or situations.If you want to see everything I post, subscribe below!Resources:* Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn* Evolving UXR for Greater Impact @ Great Research Event* Join my membership!* Submit a topic/question This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Resources:* Follow Kasia on LinkedIn* Kasia’s recommended resources:* Foundation Regiment that offers free online psychological consultations * Basics of Trauma Informed Design * Somatic Experiencing by Peter Levine * "Deviate" by Beau Lotto * “Stutz”* Join my Membership! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

👋 Hey, Nikki here! Welcome to this month’s ✨ free podcast ✨ of User Research Academy. Three times a month, I tackle reader questions about the ins and outs of user research through my podcast, and share super concrete tips and examples on user research methods, approaches, careers, or situations.If you want to see everything I post, subscribe below!This is Dear Nikki’s first-ever user research membership spotlight, where I bring on user researchers from my membership to discuss their particular experiences on a given topic. For this episode, I spoke with Harmony on how to think about and choose user research tools for your team!Resources:* Harmony’s LinkedIn* HUX Innovation* Tooling Up for Success* G2 User Research Tools* Join my Membership! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Explore the importance of confidence in user research amidst AI uncertainties. Gain insights on growing confidence through skill assessment, career planning, and learning from failures. Resources like skills assessment sheets and career plan templates empower user researchers