Can you walk me through your career journey as a researcher?
It took me a while to find my place in the UX world. Before joining theScore as a product designer in 2021, I worked in a few startups. During my second year at theScore, we hired a UX researcher. I began taking a deep interest in that role. Coming from a science background, I already had many skills that would map onto UX research. In the summer of 2022, I transitioned from designer to researcher. I quickly learned the tools of the trade and became the researcher on the Promotions team.
What are some significant milestones or turning points in your career that have shaped your approach to research?
When I switched from design to research, I developed a more holistic view of our product lifecycle and strategy. Once I was integrated into my own vertical team, I learned some of the key points of research were discovered at the end of the process, specifically, the shareout of findings. While reliable data is important, translating that data into an engaging narrative for your audience is crucial. Knowing the importance of UX within a cross-functional team, your product, and your customers laid the foundation for my approach.
Could you share a specific project or experience that had an impact on your growth as a researcher? What did you learn from it?
The Bonus Engine Follow-Up project was the first major project I completed as a researcher on the promotions team. The experience of working from start to finish showed me the purpose of each step in the UXR playbook.
What or who are you inspired by?
Most of my inspiration comes from life experience and experts in the UX field. Traveling lets me observe other ways of life and build empathy for a wider range of people. With the importance of interviews in our work, I also enjoy watching unique personalities like Nardwuar. He’s great at bringing out the honesty of his interviewees.
What types of research methodologies or processes do you prefer to follow in your work?
Our UXR playbook gives a consistent methodology we can rely on, but the playbook also has flexibility for each project. Overall, I’m a big proponent of collaborative work and including different perspectives. I always try to involve as many relevant stakeholders on the team as possible when making decisions.
