Shifting dynamics: The evolving relationship between researchers, participants, and organizational systems
Summary
Trust in traditional expertise is waning, while collaborative, networked models of knowledge creation and impact are emerging. Focus is shifting toward inclusivity and equity, as a reimagined relationship between researchers, participants, and organizations emerges. These changes in turn reflect broader cultural shifts. This session explores the context and drivers of these evolutions, highlighting the most significant changes in research for a generation that researchers need to prepare for.
Key Insights
-
•
Researchers must shift from solely producing knowledge to building relational power to increase influence.
-
•
Participant experiences are increasingly characterized by vulnerability, emotional isolation, and mistrust of authority.
-
•
Social media and digital platforms contribute to fragmentation of truth and polarized information bubbles.
-
•
Research is inherently political and navigating multiple agendas is essential for impact.
-
•
Speaking for others is an act of power that requires humility and awareness of context.
-
•
Understanding participants requires qualitative, relational, and participatory approaches beyond surveys.
-
•
Relational power involves empathy and curiosity toward stakeholders within organizations as well as users.
-
•
Trust networks inside organizations can be mapped and leveraged to activate change collaboratively.
-
•
Pluralism and holding differences without forcing resolution is vital in today’s research landscape.
-
•
Researchers need to trust their relational skills internally, not just their technical expertise, to realize impact.
Notable Quotes
"No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, it was hard not to be met with suspicion and distrust at every turn."
"We are people who are chosen — our craft is to interact with other people, and that’s not what we’re seeing in the world around us."
"Research is no longer impartial; we’re navigating a changing landscape of trust."
"Speaking for others is always an act of power. It doesn’t mean we can’t do it, but we have to recognize that."
"Understanding is not a scientific process, it’s relational, personal, human, and qualitative."
"The role of research is changing from seeing participants as users to seeing them as co-authors of the story."
"Relational power requires empathy and curiosity about a wide range of stakeholders, not just the users."
"Knowledge sits on a shelf. Understanding is an active way to engage and connect people."
"We need to build reliance and connection across individuals to help balance power and build trust."
"Our value as a research community is in bridging understanding and driving change through relational power."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Empathy in jazz means the band is in it together—when someone plays a wrong chord, the rest adapt and turn it into an opportunity."
Jim KalbachJazz Improvisation as a Model for Team Collaboration
November 6, 2017
"A really strong book has to be designed as a journey with a consistent voice guiding the reader."
Louis RosenfeldCoffee with Lou: Should You Write a (UX) Book?
March 7, 2024
"Staff and principal designers need to balance zooming in on execution and zooming out to define strategic vision and minimize risk."
Catt Small Micah Bennett Brian Carr Jessica HarlleeWhat's Next for ICs: Exploring Staff and Principal Designer Roles
February 22, 2024
"Finding out more about these most active users is a key priority this year, said our CEO at the board presentation."
Marieke McCloskeyUser Science: Product Analytics & User Research
March 11, 2021
"DeepFakes can look too realistic and might introduce new privacy risks if donor faces come from real people."
Llewyn Paine[Demo] Deploying AI doppelgangers to de-identify user research recordings
June 5, 2024
"Random assignment to treatment or control is essential—if it’s not random, it’s not a true experiment."
Joshua NobleCasual Inference
October 6, 2023
"We’re biologically wired to respond to intellectual challenges the same way as physical threats."
Sara LogelYour Colleagues are Your Users Too
March 29, 2023
"We made a very intentional choice to build in five minute breaks after every talk based on feedback and experience."
Bria Alexander Louis RosenfeldWelcome
January 8, 2024
"When you design for the edges, you make things better, more fluid, more customizable for everyone."
Sam ProulxOnline Shopping: Designing an Accessible Experience
June 7, 2023
Latest Books All books
Dig deeper with the Rosenbot
Why is design education’s emphasis on critical making important, and how does it interrelate with critique and theory?
What unique challenges does healthcare research face when enabling honest participant feedback?
What does a successful healthcare UX career look like in terms of accumulating influence and aligning with clinical/business goals?