🗞 Why to Stay an IC

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😌 Humans of User Research with Auzita Irani

Hi Auzita, tell us a little about yourself!
I'm a research leader at Google, where I oversee the Multimodal Inputs research team within Google Search that includes Google Lens, Circle to Search, Voice inputs and more. My work centers on building and scaling high-impact research teams that influence product strategy and drive responsible innovation. Before Google, I led the AI and Emerging Technology team at Airbnb and was previously at Sprig and Facebook. I’m passionate about applying deep user insight to complex systems and shaping how organizations use research to make smarter, more human-centered decisions. Outside of work, I enjoy doing Autocross and going to the Symphony!

What’s a pressing challenge in today’s user research landscape?
One of the biggest challenges right now is helping teams scale AI responsibly without losing sight of real user needs. There’s a tendency to focus on what the model can do rather than what people actually want or need it to do—especially in emotionally nuanced spaces like healthcare or customer support. Researchers are uniquely positioned to define what quality, usefulness, and trust should look like in these experiences. I’ve worked on frameworks that evaluate AI outputs through a UX lens and help teams stay grounded in the user’s reality, even as technology moves quickly.

If you could have a research-related billboard anywhere, what would it say?
"You don’t need more data. You need better questions."

I’d put this up in every war room and roadmap session. Strategic research starts with clarity, not just volume. So often, teams default to launching net-new studies without first pausing to synthesize what they already know. I’m a big believer in the power of secondary research—not everything needs to be freshly collected to be valuable. When we ask sharper, more strategic questions, we unlock more from the insights we already have and build smarter, faster, and more responsibly.

How can people learn more about you and your work?
You can find me on LinkedIn or listen to this episode of Awkward silences where I talk about improving research efficiency. I love connecting with others working at the intersection of AI, strategy, and leadership—and especially with researchers trying to scale their/their org’s impact. If you’re curious for more, check out my thoughts on navigating the tug-of-war between user needs and business goals and how to scale yourself. I’d love to hear your reactions, disagreements, or ideas—please reach out!

Thank you, Auzita!

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📚 Articles of the Week.

Why I Stay an IC
This is a case for why senior UX researchers don’t need a management title to lead. By staying close to the work and showing up early with clear questions, ICs are often better positioned to drive strategy, shape roadmaps, and become indispensable partners in decision-making. Trevor Calabro 03/28

Research Debt – the hidden costs of unvalidated assumptions
What is research debt, and how can UX teams identify and address it? Audit assumptions regularly, track aging insights, document research context, and prioritize re-validation to prevent outdated findings from shaping product decisions. Maryam Oseni 03/26

The Research Repository Paradox
Many UX teams struggle to determine the right time to set up a research repository—a system for organizing and sharing past research insights across a team. Thomas Stokes 03/30

UXinsight’s UX research maturity framework
Where does UX research maturity stand today, and how can teams advance it meaningfully? Assess your team across six key areas, identify maturity levels, spot gaps, and build a focused roadmap to grow influence, methods, and strategic integration. Karin den Bouwmeester 03/20

The Problem With AI Generated Personas
Can AI-generated personas accurately reflect real users and behaviors?Use real data as a foundation, limit LLM involvement, validate against empirical evidence, and clearly document limitations to avoid misleading assumptions and ensure personas truly represent diverse user needs. Maria Panagiotidi 03/28

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🎥 Video of the Week.

AI for UX Research with John Whalen, PhD
How can UX researchers effectively integrate AI without losing human-centered rigor? Master prompt engineering, test AI-moderated interviews, combine synthetic agents with human insights, and build hybrid research plans that prioritize ethics, security, and scalable, cost-effective methods. YouTube 04/04

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🔉 Audio of the Week.

Speaking their language: Communication as the core of UXR ft. Mary Hatch
What qualities define impactful UX researchers and how can they grow their influence? Identify and own personal weaknesses, adapt to diverse communication styles, position yourself strategically in teams, and invest in self-awareness to boost research impact and career growth. Spotify Apple 04/02

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🗓 UserCalendar: Upcoming Events.

Webinar: Why Good Design is Good for Business (Free)
April 22 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
A conversation with Ashton Snook on how research-driven design fuels business success and how to prove its value through measurable impact. Learn more

AMA with Pedro: Making research count — metrics that matter (Free)
April 24 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT
A practical AMA with Pedro Vargas on how to measure research impact, track meaningful metrics, and connect UX insights to business outcomes. Learn more