🗞 Where Do UX Researchers Go From Here?

😌 Humans of User Research with Jip ter Voort

Hi Jip, tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! I’m Jip. I currently work as lead UX researcher at Picnic, a fully online supermarket in the Netherlands. I started out on the consumer side, making sure our customers can easily shop and plan their groceries to get them delivered to their doorstep. These days, I’m focused on the employee side—researching all kinds of tools used in our supply chain by thousands of workers. It’s a fun mix of physical and digital product research. Before Picnic, I worked at a design agency and a bank, and I have a background in psychology and communication sciences. Oh, and I love 3D printing in my spare time.

How do you envision the future of UX research evolving in the next 5 years, and what skills do you think will become more important?
I think the role of UX research is already shifting, and that will continue in the next few years. It’s becoming less about just knowing your methods and executing them really well, and more about making an impact with your insights, getting people to act and helping shape strategy. With all the clever (AI) tools popping up, we’ll probably spend less time on the doing part and more on storytelling, collaboration and managing stakeholders. So those skills will only grow in importance. I’m also curious how far we can go with artificial researchers. Can they really balance user, business and research needs on the fly? Pick up on subtle cues from users? Connect insights in a creative way? I’m not fully convinced yet, but how cool would it be if I was wrong?

How would you explain your work to a 6-year-old?
This feels almost like a trick question, because the core of user research is, if you ask me, being curious. Sure, there are ways to formalise or channel that curiosity, through methods, tools, all that, but if you show genuine interest, you’ll naturally learn from others. That’s something you don’t really need to explain to a 6-year-old. They’re already trying to understand the world around them, just by being themselves. So I’d probably just say: just like you, I try to understand the world and the people in it. And I even get paid to do it! How cool is that ;)

Where can people find you?
Connect with me on LinkedIn and feel free to reach out for a coffee chat about research or 3D printing. Or, since very recently, you can also find me on ADPList as a mentor.

Thank you, Jip!

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📚 Articles of the Week

Where Do UX Researchers Go From Here? Career Moves from Researchers in 2025
UX research roles are evolving beyond validation to strategic, operational, and AI-integrated functions crucial for product success. Stay relevant by mastering business context, simplifying ambiguity, and influencing decisions with trust and timing. Yao Adantor

You don’t find your UX voice. You build it.
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AI won’t kill UX - we will
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Mixed-Methods Research: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Data
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Mapping Out How Research Happens in your Org
Understanding existing research processes uncovers key pain points and opportunities for impact as your company's first researcher. Use a two-axis mapping exercise to plot satisfaction against timeline to prioritize improvements and build a solid research operations roadmap. Julian Della Mattia

How AI Is (and Isn’t) About to Transform UX Research & Product Discovery
AI accelerates repetitive UX research tasks like transcript summarization but can't replace human empathy or nuanced analysis. Treat AI as a co-pilot: oversee data input, validate outputs, and translate findings to actionable stories. Caitlin Sullivan

The Role of UX Research in Developing Effective User Retention Strategies for SaaS Products
UX research is the secret weapon to slash SaaS churn and boost retention by revealing why users stay or leave. Nail onboarding, simplify workflows, personalize experiences, and embed continuous feedback for sticky, user-loved products. Adedolapoblessing

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🎥 Video of the Week

Bringing AI into UX Research: Frameworks, Tools & Tactics
AI is quickly becoming a powerful ally in the UX research workflow. But where does it actually fit in - and how can you use it without losing the human side of your practice? Join Rose Beverly, Senior Staff UX AI Researcher at PayPal for a practical conversation on integrating AI into your research process with intention. Rose Beverly

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🔉 Audio of the Week

The lowdown on the state of UX Research ft. Dr. Nick Fine
The current state of UX Research reveals evolving roles and challenges faced by juniors. Adopt a flexible mind-set, prioritize continuous learning, and adapt methods to stay ahead in the field. Apple / Spotify

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🗓 UserCalendar.com: Upcoming Events.

AI Do’s and Don’ts for User Research Analysis
August 20 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
Nick Babich explores best practices and pitfalls for integrating AI in UX research workflows to enhance analysis speed, quality, and ethical standards. Learn more

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