?? A data-driven UX Research career ladder

This week, I had a great conversation with Serena Hillman, who’s leading a research team at Microsoft’s Azure Data org. She shared how her background in Human-Computer Interaction and Data Analytics has shaped her approach to UX research and she talked about keeping an academic edge while working in industry. If you’re curious about balancing theory and practice in research, her insights are super helpful. She’s also got some interesting projects on the go, like a UX outcomes casebook and a new SUS measurement for enterprise apps.

On the content front, we’re covering a range of topics, from collaborative research strategies to navigating non-traditional research paths. There’s also a solid guide on using AI to streamline your UX workflows, plus a couple of videos on boosting research impact and key takeaways from a decade in the field. Don’t miss out on the audio segment on UX job leveling—it’s a great listen if you’re navigating career progression. And don't forget to grab your free tickets to our partner conference Disco Conf that's happening tomorrow, if you haven't already!

Happy Researching, Jan Ahrend

?? Humans of User Research with Dr. Serena Hillman

Hi Serena, tell us a little about yourself!

I am a mom, hockey player, and researcher originally from Vancouver, Canada, now residing in Seattle. I currently work with Microsoft's Azure Data organization, where I manage a team of talented researchers shaping the future of data and analytics. I have a traditional academic background for a UXR, focusing on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Data Analytics. I absolutely love the rain, cold oceans, and collaborating.

Who has been the most influential figure in shaping your UX research journey?

My graduate supervisor, Dr. Carman Neustaedter, has had the most influence on my career. He is obviously an exceptional researcher, but more than that, he brings a calm, thoughtful, and pragmatic perspective to his work. You will often hear graduates from his program, in times of trial, murmur, 'What would Carman do?'. Dr. Neustaedter is currently the Dean for Simon Fraser Universities School of Interactive Arts and Technology.

What’s one approach you’ve used in your research that has worked well?

I have always maintained an academic side as a UX researcher in industry. This has been a difference maker for me in my career. The continuous learning and innovation that come from academic research push boundaries and encourage curiosity, helping UX researchers stay up-to-date with new theories, methodologies, and futureproof. While industry research does this in its own way, maintaining both experiences has paid dividends in the diversity of innovation. Want to know how to evaluate the success of a research program? Does it matter if we use a 3 point or 5 point scale? How does the human brain understand instantaneous responses of UI? What are proven approaches to evaluate AI assistants? Well, let me tell you about CHI papers on those topics!

What would you like to talk about with other researchers and how can they find you?

I’m always eager to collaborate on innovative projects and explore new research opportunities. My current project involves putting together a book that focuses on UX outcome-based case studies, Beyond Theory: A UX Outcomes Casebook for HCI Education (w/ Dr. Carolyn Pang). If you have an amazing case study you’d like to share, please feel free to reach out. Additionally, I’ve been working on developing a new SUS measurement for enterprise applications (w/ Dr. Stephen Schneider) and exploring designs for in-product feedback (w/ Samira Jain). I’m also focusing on UXR career progression and leveraging business intelligence tools for research .

I’d love to connect if you have an exciting project! Feel free to reach out via LinkedIn or stay updated on my latest work through the Microsoft Research website .

Thank you, Serena!

?? Articles of the Week.

6 steps for building and launching collaborative UX Research studies Struggling with research bottlenecks and miscommunication? Streamline collaboration to maximize impact by aligning on clear roles, centralizing communication, and involving cross-functional partners early. Lauren Gibson 10/09

User research in government Effective communication for researchers: how to listen, observe and speak for impact. Dominika Morton & Aimee Fulton 10/07

Are you ready for a day of discovery? ?? (Sponsored) Embark on a collective venture into the most pressing topics shaping the research industry, led by today’s top product experts at orgs like LinkedIn, Dropbox, Plaid, Broadcom, and Jasper.AI ?? Happening everywhere on Oct 17–grab your FREE spot today ? Grab your free spot

Breaking into UX research: non-traditional paths to success Can you become a UX researcher without an advanced degree? Yes, success depends on mastering key research methods, data analysis, and impactful communication. Focus on continuous learning, building relationships, and leveraging diverse perspectives for richer insights. Brian Utesch 10/07

When traditional user research isn’t an option: non-traditional ways to collect insights When direct access to users is limited, there are still ways to gather valuable UX insights. Join sales demos, analyze service desk tickets, attend support calls, use analytics, host webinars, and gather feedback from lost opportunities. M. Rijkers 10/13

Accelerate your UX research with NotebookLM: my experience as a Product Designer NotebookLM streamlines synthesizing UX research by automating the summarization of various data sources, including interviews and reviews. It reduces the manual effort required, allowing teams to focus on interpreting insights and design decisions. Gabe Weinberg 10/10

My customized research assistant Explores how personalized AI assistants can transform UX research by automating tasks like data analysis, presentation creation, and stakeholder engagement. Key takeaways include leveraging AI to streamline workflows, track impact, and enhance research efficiency. 10/10

Making ripples: how your UX research can reach across the organization Highlights how expanding UX research beyond immediate stakeholders can maximize its impact across large organizations. To broaden influence: build cross-functional networks, share findings widely, and repurpose insights for multiple teams and objectives. David Bar-El 10/06

Strengthening UX research amid uncertainty Explores three foundational pillars—Science, Discipline, and Profession—that UX researchers must master to stay relevant and impactful. Focus on evidence-based rigor, structured processes, and aligning research with business strategy to drive organizational value. Brian Utesch 10/07

?? Video of the Week.

Enhancing insight impact Learn how to design the research consumption experience to increase awareness, impact, and stakeholder engagement. Key actions include using frameworks to enhance insight delivery and fostering stronger relationships within your organization. YouTube 10/10

POV: You found the ULTIMATE UX Research crash course. A 10-year UX research veteran shares key lessons from working with top companies like Google, Uber, and Stubhub. Takeaways include mastering diverse research methods and tailoring UX strategies to fit teams with varying UX maturity. YouTube 10/08

?? Audio of the Week.

Making Sense of UX Research Job Leveling with Lawton Pybus & Thomas Stokes Explores challenges in UX research job roles and leveling across companies and offers solutions for clearer career paths. Key insights include using a data-driven leveling framework for improved job searches, hiring processes, and career planning. Spotify Apple 10/08

?? UserCalendar: Upcoming Events.

Disco Conf 2024 (Free) October 17 All day Disco Conf 2024 focuses on research and discovery, offering a global, free, and online experience for UX professionals seeking to deepen organizational learning. Lear more

How XXXLdigital Ensures Research Results Are High-Quality and Accessible with Condens (Free) October 22 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT Learn actionable tips for ensuring high-quality and accessible research results from Alexander Schüller, Customer Experience Expert at XXXLdigital, during an upcoming Condens Coffee Chat. Learn more

Research for Startups (Free) October 23?@?2:00 pm?–?3:00 pm?EDT Join Michael Margolis from Google Ventures to learn how startups can find their ideal customers and products faster while reducing risks and building momentum. Learn more

Building the first data-driven career ladder for UX research (Free) October 23 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT Great Question and Drill Bit Labs present a webinar on creating a data-driven career ladder for UX researchers, highlighting industry role differences, qualifications, and evolving responsibilities. Learn more

Webinar: How to Spark Innovation With Strategic Research w/Kevin Liang (Free) October 24?@?12:00 pm?–?1:30 pm?EDT A webinar featuring Kevin Liang will explore how to break free from tactical research, aligning UX research with business goals to drive innovation and impactful change. Learn more