Awkward Silences

Dennis Meng, Co-founder and CPO at User Interviews, and Lexi Brights, Director of Research at Workday, dive into the evolving world of Research Ops shaped by AI. Meng elaborates on how research operations can harness AI agents, while Brights shares insights on utilizing AI to derive meaningful data from open-text survey responses. They discuss the balance between human oversight and AI autonomy, the challenges researchers face, and how continuous learning is essential in this rapidly advancing field. Expect engaging case studies and thought-provoking debates on AI's future role in research.

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.

Caitria O'Neill, a seasoned UX researcher with experience at Airbnb, Meta, and soon Google, shares her insights on effectively communicating research findings. She dives into the art of crafting impactful reports and emphasizes the necessity of engaging storytelling. Caitria discusses strategies for structuring insights, enhancing presentations with visual storytelling, and the ever-evolving nature of research management. She even incorporates a light-hearted segment on her favorite emojis, showcasing their role in professional communication.

Kate Towsey, a Research Operations expert formerly at Atlassian, shares insights on the significance of Research Operations (ReOps) and its growing relevance in business. She emphasizes the essential steps to start a ReOps practice while navigating challenges like participant recruitment and operational management. Kate discusses her journey from content strategist to researcher, tackling imposter syndrome along the way. Now investing in Cha Cha Club, she highlights the importance of community and collaboration in enhancing research efficiency.

Andrea Amorós, a Senior Principal Researcher at Ingram Micro and former Associate Principal UX Researcher at ADP, dives into the world of strategic research. She emphasizes its value in influencing stakeholders and the critical role of effective communication. Andrea discusses how to present findings with empathy, fostering engagement within organizations. She also explores the importance of self-awareness in professional growth and the unique challenges researchers face in driving impactful change. Tune in for insights on leveraging strengths and promoting a culture of collaboration!

Welcome to Summer Throwbacks, were we revisit some of Awkward Silences' most memorable episodes.This week, Eniola Abioye, UX Researcher at Meta, discusses what it takes to break into the user research industry. Her advice on creating application materials, searching for roles, and preparing for the interview process offer evergreen insight for any job seeker.UX Career ResourcesFree on-demand course with Eniola: User Research 101The Ultimate UX Research Job BoardGetting started with freelance UX research

Welcome to Summer Throwbacks, where we revisit some of Awkward Silences' most memorable episodes.This week features Amy Chess (then at Amazon) unpacking arguably the most important research skill: asking questions. She shares what makes a "good" question, how questions should connect to insights and impact, and how you can improve your question-creation ability.Research Question ResourcesA Guide to User Research Questions70+ User Testing Question ExamplesWriting Better User Interview Questions

Teresa Torres, a product discovery coach at Product Talk, shares her expertise on continuous discovery methods, advocating for regular customer feedback to drive product development. She delves into the importance of intertwining discovery with delivery, and emphasizes the value of interviewing current, potential, and churned users. Teresa also provides practical tips on automating participant recruitment and conducting effective interviews. Throughout, she underscores the significance of continuous learning and adapting discovery practices to fit team dynamics.

This week, Erika Hall, founder of Mule Design and author of 'Just Enough Research,' dives into the pitfalls of surveys in research. She argues that surveys are often misused, yielding unreliable data and that teams should focus on more meaningful conversation instead. Erika highlights the dangers of quick, poorly designed surveys and the importance of starting with the right research questions. Instead of seeking predictions, she suggests asking about past behaviors and prioritizing quality insights over quantity.

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