Theme 2 Intro
Summary
In this talk, the speaker reflects on the insight and research community's shared hunger for evolution and improvement, especially in a world unsettled by turmoil and inequity. They emphasize how 2020, despite its challenges, has inspired renewed commitment and bravery to do things differently. The speaker introduces four key presenters: Catherine Andrew, who discusses integrating different research and analytics functions to build cohesive insight teams; a panel exploring trauma-informed practices; Zen, who shares lessons from learning science; and Kathleen, who rethinks the identity of researchers. The talk centers around two unifying themes: introspection with humility—encouraging researchers to first look inward to better serve others—and bravery in challenging conventional wisdom and embracing discomfort for meaningful change. Ultimately, the session aims to energize and inspire the audience to advance both their personal practices and the research field as a whole through shared learning and courageous adaptation.
Key Insights
-
•
The insight community feels it is at a tipping point between recognizing past progress and the vast work still ahead.
-
•
2020’s turmoil sparked renewed bravery and commitment in researchers rather than exhaustion.
-
•
Introspection and humility are critical before effectively amplifying others' stories.
-
•
Bravery includes bucking conventional wisdom and honestly confronting the world as it is.
-
•
Integrating research and analytics functions helps create stronger, unified insight teams.
-
•
Learning from adjacent fields like trauma-informed practices and learning science can advance research methods.
-
•
Redefining the identity of researchers may open new ways to connect and share stories.
-
•
Embracing discomfort in learning fosters personal and field-wide change.
-
•
The collective journey of learning from one another powers advancement in research practices.
-
•
Care, compassion, and open-heartedness are vital qualities in advancing research and sharing truths.
Notable Quotes
"The insight and research community had such a hunger to keep growing and evolving to better amplify the voices of the people we seek to understand."
"We are living in a world that for so many feels like it has been flipped on its head."
"Instead of facing 2020 with exhaustion, folks were looking at it with renewed commitment and bravery."
"How can we teach others about powerful stories without first becoming learned ourselves?"
"Bravery is having the courage to buck conventional wisdom and look at the world for how it is."
"Catherine Andrew will share her experience bringing research and analytics functions together to create integrated insight teams."
"We will learn from trauma-informed practices and learning science to advance how we do things."
"Redefining who researchers are can teach us new ways to share stories."
"At times, this day may feel uncomfortable, but embracing discomfort often leads to change."
"The journey we are on is to change and advance not just practices but the entire research field."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"The community is an ongoing prototype; members have a strong, frequent voice in shaping what good looks like."
Marc Fonteijn Ru ButlerIncrease your confidence, influence, and impact (through a Professional Community)
December 3, 2024
"Design’s value is in asking meaningful questions and steering towards the right outcome, not getting bogged down in technical parameters."
Dem Gerolemou Alexis Oh Neef RehmanClimate technology fundamentals
May 15, 2024
"Users tend to rate a familiar site better than non-users, especially for Amazon, because they feel more secure and familiar."
Daniela Magaña Flores Ariane Rahn Jeff Ephraim BanderAhead of Competition: Learn What UX Benchmarking Can Do for Your Business Today
March 10, 2022
"Not growing the team was disheartening but led me to create training for partners to start taking a user-centered approach themselves."
Abbey Smalley Sylas SouzaScaling UX Past the Size of Your Team
January 8, 2024
"We automated everything — now we click a button weekly to produce updated staffing and priority alignment scores."
Patrick CommarfordDesign Staffing for Impact
January 8, 2024
"Data sovereignty is about who owns your data, which country’s laws apply, and how vulnerable groups are fairly protected."
Xenia Adjoubei Sean BruceEmpowering Communities Through the Researcher in Residence Program
March 29, 2023
"The only form of ethical persuasion that exists is when the goals of the persuader are aligned with the goals of the persuading."
Craig VillamorDesign Systems for Ethical Design
January 26, 2023
"We encourage you all to be your own heroes and connect your own documents."
Jon Fukuda Ellie KryslDesign Planning and Management Support
October 3, 2023
"When product says no to design, it’s not personal—it’s about prioritization and what’s most urgent right now."
Iain McMaster IHan ChengDesign and Product: from Frenemy to Harmony
November 29, 2023
