5 Hands-on virtual workshops to level up your UX Research skills
Are you ready to revolutionize your UX research skills in 2025?
The Advancing Research conference is back with an exciting lineup of 5 hands-on virtual workshops that will transform your approach to user experience research. Starting in mid-March, world-leading UX research (UXR) experts will guide you through cutting-edge methodologies, innovative techniques, and practical strategies to elevate your research game.
These workshops dive into crucial topics that are shaping the future of UX research. Whether you’re looking to master trauma-informed research, explore quantitative methods for qualitative researchers, or harness the power of AI in your UX research workflow, there’s a workshop tailored to your professional growth.
Don’t miss this chance to enhance your skills, network with fellow researchers, and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of UX research. Secure your spot at one (or more!) of our workshops and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to drive impactful research in the years to come.
Experience our hands-on virtual workshops
Trauma-Informed Research: Caring for You and Preventing Secondary Trauma
with Carol Scott and Melissa Eggleston
8 hours over 2 segments: March 17 & 19, 2025
In this workshop, learn about secondary trauma and how you can protect yourself and your team. Carol and Melissa will explore practical tips, discuss ways to continue your journey toward becoming trauma-informed, and help you thrive in a long career that is mutually supportive, equitable, and healing for all.
Quantitative Methods for Qualitative UX Researchers: Triangulate Your Way to Holistic Insights and Stronger Storytellingwith Subhasree Chatterjee and Archana Shah
8 hours over 2 segments: March 18-19, 2025
Many UX researchers often rely on familiar qualitative methods such as interviews and usability testing, overlooking the potential benefits of combining these with quantitative methods through triangulation. Depending solely on one set of tools can result in blind spots, limiting researchers’ ability to provide comprehensive insights. This workshop aims to address these challenges.
Radical Participatory Research
with Victor Udoewa
8 hours over 2 segments: March 20-21, 2025
This workshop will start with a short, general introduction to Participatory Research methodologies, and then specifically introduce a type of relational research called Radical Participatory Research (RPR), a meta-methodology. We will explore ways to transition to RPR, team recruitment, bias awareness, transitional facilitation, intersectional research, asset-based methodologies, compensation, evaluation, and RPR advocacy.
AI for UX Researcherswith Llewyn Paine
8 hours over 2 segments: March 25 & 27, 2025
As researchers begin to adopt LLMs, it can be hard to determine where AI makes research better, where it falls short, and where the human researcher provides unique value. In this workshop, learn a framework for understanding AI’s capabilities within the context of user research and workshop opportunities for AI to evolve the role of research, making the researcher even more valuable in this new world.
Listening Deeplywith Indi Young
8 hours over 4 segments: March 18, 21, 25, 28, 2025
Listening is the foundation for inclusivity, for new opportunities to support more people, and also for powerful team efficiency. Having clear techniques for understanding a person’s interior cognition–for developing cognitive empathy–allows professionals the foundation for later finding patterns that will reveal gaps and inclusive, intentional direction for your solutions. This workshop will teach you how to pay rapt attention. And when and why to do it.
Navigating the future of UX with Designing with AI 2024, a new virtual conference from Rosenfeld
Step into a world where UX and AI come together to shape a new future of user experience. Welcome to Designing with AI 2024, a groundbreaking new virtual conference from Rosenfeld taking place June 4-5. At #DwAI2024, we’ll go beyond speculation about Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) impact on UX professionals. Instead, we’ll dive into two pressing questions: How can AI enhance the effectiveness of UX professionals? And equally important, how do we navigate and prevent potential pitfalls from hasty AI integration? Let’s explore what Designing with AI is all about, and why it is the must-attend event of 2024.
Empowering UX professionals with AI
Designing with AI 2024 isn’t just about discussing possibilities—it’s about action. Discover the ways in which AI can elevate your craft, exploring cutting-edge case studies and demonstrations that showcase practical AI applications in UX design, research, and content creation. From minimizing repetitive tasks to enhancing strategic impact, AI emerges as a powerful ally for conscientious product designers and UX professionals alike.
Navigating the ethical landscape
But with great power comes great responsibility. That’s why Designing with AI 2024 places a strong emphasis on ethical considerations. Each day will close out with expert-led panels that will scrutinize the prior demos and case studies, asking the tough questions meant to question ethical implications and foster critical thinking. You will walk away from this conference having gained insights into harnessing AI in humane and thoughtful ways, ensuring that its integration doesn’t inadvertently create bigger problems.
Engaging with community
Beyond our carefully curated conference program, Designing with AI 2024 offers a robust virtual conference experience. Rosenfeld has cracked the code with virtual—we’ve been doing this since 2020 and pride ourselves on our engaging virtual experience. Attendees will engage in meaningful discussions and forge new connections through our interactive conference Slack channel and unique attendee cohorts program. Whether you’re a UX designer, researcher, writer, or product professional, this conference provides a platform to network with like-minded peers, all centered around one of the hottest topics in UX right now.
Learning hands-on with workshops
But wait, there’s more! Dive deeper into the world of AI and UX with workshops at Designing with AI. These offerings are designed to equip you with practical skills and insights that you can put into action right away. Whether you’re eager to discover more about AI and content design, or the basics of data, models, and algorithms, our workshops have something for everyone. Get ready to learn from seasoned practitioners—we have four workshop offerings available!
Conclusion
Designing with AI 2024 isn’t just a conference—it’s a catalyst for change. By bringing together experts, thought leaders, and curious minds, #DwAI2024 will empower UX professionals to embrace the future with confidence and foresight. As we navigate the complex terrain of AI integration, this event will serve as a reminder to us all that with careful consideration and ethical practice, we can harness AI to create a more inclusive, innovative, and humane future for all.
Unlocking Insights: 3 Inspiring Highlights from the Advancing Research 2024 Conference
Rosenfeld Media’s Advancing Research 2024 conference was a gathering of minds and a celebration of innovation in the field of UX research and design—in-person for the first time since its inception! From captivating keynote sessions to thought-provoking panel discussions, attendees left the conference feeling invigorated and inspired.
Our carefully curated program showcased the best and brightest in UXR, providing valuable insights into the latest trends and challenges in the field. The program consisted of two themes: Excellence in Strategic Influence, and Excellence in Our Craft. Both days were crafted around these central ideas, and pushed the envelope in regards of what UX researchers have the power to do, through elevating their research practice, and executing influence outside of it!
Plus, an in-person conference all meant ample opportunities for attendees to connect their fellow UX research peers. Through facilitated networking sessions and informal discussions, participants were able to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build valuable connections. We also had book signings taking place throughout both days; dedicated fans were able to get copies of their favorite Rosenfeld books (and sometimes more than just books!) signed by Maria Giudice, Rebecca Evanhoe, Tomer Sharon, and Steve Portigal!
Advancing Research 2024 showcased cutting-edge research projects from leading organizations and research teams in over a dozen talks. These presentations highlighted innovative methodologies, groundbreaking findings, and best practices in UX research, inspiring attendees to push the boundaries of their own research endeavors.
Panel discussions at the conference explored emerging trends and future directions in UX research and design. Our amazing speakers shared their perspectives on topics such as AI-driven research, inclusive design, ethical considerations, and the evolving role of researchers in product development.
Now, while we can’t recap the entire two-day conference experience in one blog post, we can give you the highlights.
So, here are three key takeaways we haven’t stopped thinking about since March:
The importance of culture beyond diversity
According to Victor, colonial ways of being and extractive research methods do not produce liberatory knowledge. By leveraging a diverse toolkit of research methodologies, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of user needs and behaviors. It’s all about going beyond cultivating awareness and how we can actually embrace diversity in research—and dismantle the oppressive systems around us.
Researchers have the power to change the status quo
On the #AR2024 stage in New York City, Robin Beers said, “The impact you can have is much bigger than this quarter’s results, or a feature launch. You have an opportunity to make the organization visible to itself, and help it understand where it is in and out of alignment with what customers need.” Robin’s talk highlighted tools such as Jay Galbraith’s star model and Chris Argyris’ double loop learning as ways to reflect organizations’ underlying assumptions. In instances such uncovering biases in AI, researchers have the power to create meaningful change. When using research insights to disrupt an organization’s culture, be explicit, anticipate resistance, build support, play the long game, and trust your gut.
When it comes to AI, take the user out of UX
Tricia Wang closed out day 1 with an enlightening talk about AI. By advocating for a shift from “user researchers” to skilled navigators of human-tech interactions, she sees us as key players in shaping the future with AI. By transitioning from being mere users to becoming shapers of AI, we shift from solely relying on digital tools to actively shaping them.
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We’re so happy with the way Advancing Research 2024 turned out! It was a non-stop program filled with valuable insights and actionable strategies for how we can advance our research practices. From embracing diversity in research methods to harnessing the potential of AI and making an impact within an organization, the conference underscored the importance of innovation, empathy, and ethics in the field of UX research and design.
Missed out on #AR2024? Purchase the conference recordings to watch two days of talks and gain access to sketchnotes, session notes, resource lists, and more for 90 days!
Introduction to usability testing for survey research
It’s always fascinating to encounter a profession with overlapping interests to our own in UX. The one I’ve been learning this year is survey methodology, and was delighted to find out that they’re really into UX as well.
The short version of this post: I joined forces with Emily Geisen, a survey methodologist to teach a workshop on usability testing at the SAPOR conference. The slides are here: Introduction to usability testing for survey research.
The longer version? Keep reading, for:
- My visits to survey methodology conferences
- Survey methodologists run pilot tests
- Survey methodologists do cognitive interviewing
- Introduction to usability testing at SAPOR
DesignOps Summit 2019 Program Announcement
According to our user research, you want a conference program that offers practical information (tools, techniques, and take-aways that you can bring back to the office), and you’re motivated by these three themes:
- Proving Value, Measuring Outcomes
- Partnering Outside Design
- Change Management
The DesignOps Summit’s two-day main program (October 23-24) is designed with those needs in mind. And our six day-long workshops (October 25) delve even more deeply into the topics you’ll need to develop modern Design and Research Operations.
—Dave Malouf, Kristin Skinner, Abby Covert, & Lou Rosenfeld (program chairs)
Podcast: Making Conferences More Accessible with Darryl Adams, Intel’s Director of Accessibility
With the surge in popularity of, and need for, hybrid and virtual events, Lou sits down with Intel’s Director of Accessibility, Darryl Adams, to discuss how technology can make in-person and virtual conferences more accessible and inclusive to speakers and audience members with disabilities. He also speaks to how accessible conference design can be improved and fine-tuned for speakers with disabilities, and help those without disabilities feel more comfortable presenting. What kind of accessibility principles and design factors should conference hosts consider for audience members with disabilities and those without disabilities when setting up for in-person and virtual events? How does this technology increase engagement and diversity in attendance? Listen as Darryl and Lou touch on all these topics, and more.
Darryl recommends: Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau
Darryl Adams is the Director of Accessibility at Intel.?Darryl leads a team that works at the intersection of technology and human experience helping discover new ways for people with disabilities to work, interact, and thrive. Darryl’s mission is to connect his passion for technology innovation with Intel’s disability inclusion efforts to help make computing and access to digital information more accessible for everyone and to make Intel an employer of choice for employees with disabilities.
NYC, Minneapolis, Toronto: fall UX workshop roadshow stops
Another season, another fantastic lineup of day-long UX workshops—in three of our favorite cities—New York, Minneapolis, and Toronto!
Standbys Steve Krug, Anders Ramsay, Rachel Hinman, and Lou Rosenfeld will be joined by superstars Kim Goodwin (author of Designing for the Digital Age), Nathan Shedroff (Design Is the Problem, the forthcoming Make It So, and many others), and Susan Weinschenk (100 Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People and Neuro Web Design).
As always, you’ll enjoy a learning experience that’s engaging, intimate (capped at 50 per day), and highly practical—our workshops delve far more deeply into their topics than what you’ll find at most conferences. And we think you’ll find the lineup pretty impressive—ranging from mobile prototyping to using science fiction as a way to improve and inspire interaction design.
Finally, we’ve got incredible list of sponsors and local partners. In New York, we’ll be supported by Moment and General Assembly (our host). In Minneapolis, our friends at Brain Traffic are helping us out. In Toronto, the gang at Hypenotic is making it happen. And all of our stops are generously sponsored by: UserTesting.com, Loop11, Axure, Rackspace, TechSmith, and User Interface Engineering.
Hope to see you this fall!
New virtual seminar series!
Big news from Rosenfeld Media headquarters: we’re teaming up with UIE to create a new series of monthly virtual seminars!
The Next Step Series will feature Rosenfeld Media authors covering critical user experience topics thoughtfully and practically—just like they do in their Rosenfeld Media books. All with the great format and top production values you’ve come to expect from UIE: highly participatory, 90-minute live seminars and edited recordings for future use. We’ve already queued up an initial batch of great presenters, including Anders Ramsay, Caroline Jarrett, Rachel Hinman, and Steve Portigal.
This partnership is a true no-brainer. Rosenfeld Media’s goal is to identify and promote fantastic UX expertise—in book form, but also in a growing number of other formats. And no one publishes better virtual seminars than UIE. We’re looking forward to serving the user experience community together.
Please check out our list of upcoming seminars, and stay connected with us to be notified when more are scheduled.
New Video Series: “Rosenfeld Questions”
We’ve launched a new series of “Rosenfeld Questions” – short videos with Lou and other guests that answer topical questions. Give them a watch and let us know what topics you’d like to see covered!
Luke Wroblewski to write book on web form design
We’re proud to announce that Luke Wroblewski has begun work on Rosenfeld Media’s newest title, Web Form Design Best Practices. You can visit Luke’s book-in-progress site and subscribe to its RSS feed.
Form design is one of those topics that, at first glance, may seem narrow. But form design is critical to the success of just about any web site. If forms don’t work, then transactions of all types—making a purchase, signing up for a mailing list, applying for a job, completing a personal health profile—won’t be’t completed successfully. Luke’s book will be a valuable tool to help web developers, interaction designers, and others plug this narrow but deep gap in their sites’ user experience.
Luke is an ideal author to tackle this topic. He’s currently Senior Principal of Product Ideation & Design at Yahoo! Inc. and Principal of LukeW Interface Designs. He’s the author of Site-Seeing: A Visual Approach to Web Usability, as well as numerous articles on design methodologies, strategies and applications including those featured in his own online publication, Functioning Form. And Luke’s recent articles and talks on web form design have been extremely well received.
Because we envision our books as dialogues, all Rosenfeld Media books are developed with extensive reader input. Each of our books has a dedicated site where you and the author can share information on (and questions about) the topic. Please visit Luke’s book site, subscribe to its RSS feed, and spread the word.
