“Research democratization” has become a rallying cry in many organizations — but also a source of tension. Should everyone be able to run studies, or should research stay tightly centralized? The truth is, both extremes create waste, confusion, and risk.

In this talk, I’ll share a practical framework for when to democratize and when to centralize research. You’ll learn how to weigh risk, reversibility, and audience impact; how to put guardrails around democratized research; and how AI can enable broader participation without chaos. You’ll leave with a decision matrix and a “democratization charter” you can adapt to your org, so the right people are on the right horses for the right courses.