As with any job there are challenges. But as a UX researcher or designer, sometimes we encounter some special “beasts” in our careers. Some days it feels like a struggle just to get our job done, let alone the dilemma of making an impact with our work, and encouraging our partners to implement our recommendations based on the research findings. In this talk I will explore the “5 S’s of UX Professionals” which are some of the biggest challenges that researchers face and the solutions. I will cover why these challenges are happening and what we can do to calm the “beasts” and make the world a better place.

Challenges that UX pros face
• The Skimp Shark
• The Speed Snake
• The Scope Squirrel
• The Slow Sloth
• The Sh#t Skunk

Attendees Gain
Attendees will learn several ways to cope, confront and correct some of the typical challenges they may face on the job.
Explores the battles researchers face and some solutions on how to build relationships
How to recognize signs and help create an environment where their work can make an impact.

Experience and Qualifications what I bring about this topic
As a user researcher, I have experienced challenges in dealing with stakeholders first-hand. By bringing in real and personal examples, I can help others understand how we can navigate these challenges and create better working relationships with our stakeholders.

Presented at
World Usability Congress 2024