Awkward Silences

Welcome to Summer Throwbacks, where we revisit some of Awkward Silences' most memorable episodes.This week features a conversation with Erika Hall on the misuses of surveys. They're overused, often shoddily designed, and can get in the way of a better approach for the question (which might include not doing research at all). This topic has only grown in importance as development and decision cycles shorten, putting pressure on researchers to get insights to stakeholders faster. Erika also recently updated her landmark book, Just Enough Research, to take into account these and other changes in the UX landscape.Research Survey ResourcesA Complete Guide to Survey ResearchCreating Surveys to Identify User ProblemsUse This Checklist for Better Survey Design

Embedded research teams—where UXRs are dedicated to a single product area—are popular. The proximity to design, product, and engineering stakeholders increases subject-matter expertise and user insight integration. But how can those working in this structure balance deep diving product-specific work with longer-term strategic opportunities?Hannah Ghidey, Senior Research Manager at Etsy has successfully navigated this balance, finding big, strategy-setting questions while maintaining product-specific influence and know-how. It’s a great conversation for anyone working as a UXR on a product team or searching for a scaleable way to build a responsive team that’s also strategically-oriented.Highlights03:09 Strategic Research in Business Innovation07:30 Effective Collaborative Research Planning11:03 Harnessing Team Insights for Innovation15:01 Building Trust in Research Collaboration20:15 Sustaining Research Relevance29:53 Integrating Research into Business StrategyAbout HannahHannah Ghidey is a UX leader, currently at Etsy. She is a creative, strategist, and researcher, helping teams shape experiences at the intersection of user needs, business goals, and data.ResourcesUltimate Guide to Research StrategyResearch x Product Collaboration ReportBuild a UX Research Team From Scratch

Jess Holbrook, Senior Director of Research at Microsoft AI, specializes in human-centered AI and has a rich background from Meta and Google. He shares insights on how UX researchers can adapt to the rapid changes in AI, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and user dignity. Jess discusses the intersection of psychology and design, the value of diverse team perspectives, and the evolving role of AI in UX. With optimism and caution, he advocates for responsible AI use while encouraging innovation and collaboration.

Jay Vidyarthi, a designer and the founder of Still Ape, dives into the fusion of mindfulness and technology. He shares his journey from UX struggles to creating products that enhance well-being. The conversation highlights how design should shift from merely user-based to life-centered. Jay emphasizes mindful presence and the emotional aspects of technology use, offering practical strategies to reclaim our attention in a digital world. He also discusses the importance of user research in uncovering assumptions and fostering genuine connections through design.

Many research activities are completed by non-researchers, but whose work is benefited from user insights. Generally, these folks—designers, PMs, developers, among others—are called "PwDR" or "people who do research." In addition to their own work, many UX researchers and operations specialists are focusing on educating and empowering this group. When stakeholders and colleagues are better informed on the hows and whys of user research, more of it gets done, more insights are integrated, and customer experiences improve.Daniel Gottlieb, Head of Research Operation for Microsoft's Developer Division, has spent a lot of time designing research education programs. He joins to discuss his success creating workshops that empower and inspire non-researchers to get involved. He shares the parts of a good workshop, ways to keep attendees engaged, and how he measures success.This is a revealing conversation for anyone who has wondered what successfully "democratizing" user research could look like. Daniel brings pragmatism and positivity to research education. You'll leave with a better sense of how to begin educating your own stakeholders on the power of user research, and maybe even get a democratization practice up and running.Highlights 12:12 - Empowering UX Researchers Multiplies Impact  17:21 - Collaborative Research and Customer Insights 22:08 - Guided Customer Research Workshops  27:22 - Building Excitement Through Coaching  36:38 - Benefits of Diverse Group Dynamics 38:25 - Empowering Developer-Led Research Showcase About DanielDaniel Gottlieb is the Head of Research Operations for Microsoft’s Developer Division User Research Group. He received his PhD in Animal Behavior from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on animal welfare (quality of life) and primate (monkey) behavior.  Daniel moved from researching monkey behavior, to managing research logistics at a National Primate Research Center, to managing UX Research Operations in Microsoft’s Developer Division. He is passionate about making research easy and accessible, teaching, and finding ways for disparate groups to work together to support a unified research mission.ResourcesPwDR questions answered live by UXpert Nikki AndersonDiscovery research exploring "people who do research"The "State of Research for Non-Researchers" Report

Michael Margolis, a UX Research Partner at GV and author of "Learn More Faster," shares insights from his 30+ years in UX research. He introduces the Bullseye Customer Method to accelerate learning from customers, emphasizing teamwork for effective research. He discusses crafting open-ended survey questions and the current UX job market's evolution. Furthermore, Michael highlights how AI impacts researchers and the benefits of team watch parties for collaborative analysis—ideal for anyone in early-stage product development.

Brett Krajewski, VP of Research & Growth at Accelerant Research, dives into the evolving landscape of UX research. He discusses how recent challenges present opportunities for researchers to showcase their value. Krajewski emphasizes the need for balancing user needs with business goals, advocating for innovative research methodologies in fast-paced environments. He highlights the importance of storytelling and emotional intelligence in research, along with the significance of collaboration across teams to drive impactful outcomes.

Judy Xu, a Senior Researcher at Salesforce with a Ph.D. in Psychology, dives into the nuances of UX research in large organizations. She emphasizes the importance of building strong stakeholder relationships and how environmental factors shape research strategies. Judy contrasts B2B and B2C research, detailing the complexities of multiple user personas in B2B. She shares insights on adapting presentations to stakeholder needs and mastering business processes for effective collaboration, ultimately guiding researchers to create lasting impact.

Erin and Carol are joined by Emily Wurgler, Global Director of Experience Design at McDonald's, whose journey has had many moments of evolution and iteration. She started as an academic researcher in sociology, transitioned to innovation research at growth stage companies, and ultimately to her leading enterprise research and design teams.Emily talks about the unique value researchers bring to design leadership, how she's had to adapt her approach, and explains how product experiences are iterated and improved at large companies with a strong design-research partnership. Emily also shares how she's preparing her team of designers for the future of UX work and the characteristics she looks for in a new hire.Highlights07:30 Essential User Understanding for Product Success13:50 Identifying Users for McDonald's Enterprise Products24:38 Developing Innovative Product Solutions for Shift Leadership30:46 Balancing Innovation with Existing Workflow Challenges34:56 Cultivating Patience and Persistence for Organizational Change39:05 Ranking Four Attributes: A Favorite Interview QuestionAbout EmilyEmily Wurgler is the Global Director, Experience Design at McDonald's. She has over a decade of research experience at places like PeaPod Labs, dscout, and Over the Shoulder. She has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Indiana.ResourcesUX Designer's Guide to ResearchWorking in Design Research ConsultingDesign Thinking for Better Partnerships

In this discussion, Andrew Hogan, Head of Insights at Figma, dives into the evolving landscape of design collaboration. He shares research on how collaboration styles affect UX change and productivity, emphasizing the transformative role of AI in this space. Andrew reflects on his parental leave learnings related to screen use and workplace dynamics. He also tackles the challenge of content saturation and the quest for distinctive communication in the design field.