Rosenverse

This video is only accessible to Gold members. Log in or register for a free Gold Trial Account to watch.

Log in Register

Most conference talks are accessible to Gold members, while community videos are generally available to all logged-in members.

Opening Remarks

Gold
Monday, March 27, 2023 • Advancing Research 2023
Share the love for this talk
Opening Remarks
Speakers: Louis Rosenfeld and Bria Alexander
Link:

Summary

Lou Rosenfeld from Rosenfeld Media inaugurates the Advancing Research 2023 conference by acknowledging the difficulties researchers face due to recent economic downturns, including widespread unemployment and increased scholarship applications. He stresses the vital role researchers play in helping organizations make data-informed decisions and encourages attendees not to give up on their profession. Lou introduces MC Bria, who brings energy and humor, including AI-generated dad jokes, to the event. The conference spans three days with themes curated by Victor Unawaya, Chris Geeson, and Jim Ahmed, focusing on research as a transformational force, researchers as change agents, and transforming research craft respectively. Lou highlights the importance of engaging in Slack for community interaction, questions, and support, and clarifies logistics such as time zones, breaks, and access to main and sponsor sessions, which are free and non-sales focused. Attendees are urged to explore digital swag bags and participate in social events like networking mixers hosted by Cozy Juicy Real. Special recognition is given to MJ Broadband, the house sketchnoter who captures sessions visually, allowing participants to stay present without note-taking stress. Finally, Lou reminds everyone to adhere to the conference code of conduct to maintain a respectful and supportive environment.

Key Insights

  • Researchers face significant job insecurity during economic downturns, reflected in a high number of scholarship applications this year.

  • Despite short-term challenges, the need for skilled researchers to inform organizational decisions is growing.

  • The Advancing Research conference is structured into three curated thematic days addressing research impact, organizational influence, and craft development.

  • Community engagement through Slack is essential for participation, Q&A, and support during the conference.

  • Sponsor sessions run separately from main sessions and are free, high-quality content without sales pitches.

  • Digital swag bags replace physical conference giveaways, accessible via QR codes and direct links.

  • Social activities like a game networking event and a community mixer foster peer connection in a virtual setting.

  • MJ Broadband’s live sketch notes capture complex presentations visually, enhancing accessibility and engagement.

  • No note-taking is required for attendees thanks to comprehensive session notes and resources provided promptly.

  • The conference enforces a strict code of conduct to ensure a safe, respectful environment encouraging community support.

Notable Quotes

"Researchers have really taken it on the chin during this latest economic downturn."

"The world really needs what researchers like you bring to the table."

"This is absolutely not the time for us to be throwing our hands up in the air and giving up on Research."

"Bria is the bringer of dad jokes and the glue of the conference."

"Sponsor sessions are not sales pitches. They offer really high content very similar to the main conference."

"You will not be missing out on much if you don’t snag the digital swag bag."

"Slack is where the real party is happening for this conference."

"There is no need to take notes over the next few days. We have dedicated sketch notes and session resources."

"MJ Broadband saves our fingers some pain and some stress because we don’t have to take notes."

"Even though we are virtual, we are still a community and obligated to treat each other with respect and kindness."

Ask the Rosenbot
Frances Yllana
DesignOps–Leading the Path to Parity
2023 • DesignOps Community
Milan Guenther
A Shared Language for Co-Creating Ambitious Endeavours
2023 • Enterprise UX 2023
Gold
Dan Donald
Design Systems as a Vehicle for Systemic Change
2023 • DesignOps Community
John Taschek
Making People the X-Factor in the Enterprise
2018 • Enterprise Experience 2018
Gold
Chris Geison
What's Next for Research?
2021 • Advancing Research Community
JD Buckley
COMMUNICATE: Discussion
2018 • Enterprise Experience 2018
Gold
Rebecca Gimenez
Work in Progress: Service Design at Airbnb
2024 • Advancing Service Design 2024
Gold
Sam Proulx
Mobile Accessibility: Why Moving Accessibility Beyond the Desktop is Critical in a Mobile-first World
2022 • Civic Design 2022
Gold
Louis Rosenfeld
Founder’s Welcome
2022 • Design in Product 2022
Gold
Patrizia Bertini
Pushing DesignOps’ Influence into New Global Markets
2022 • DesignOps Summit 2022
Gold
Gordon Ross
12 Months of COVID-19 Design and Digital Response with the British Columbia Government
2021 • Civic Design 2021
Gold
Lin Nie
When Thought-worlds Collide: Collaborating Between Research and Practice
2021 • Advancing Research 2021
Gold
Jess Greco
Claiming your power: Practical tools for amplifying your unique voice
2025 • Advancing Research 2025
Gold
Smitha Papolu
Theme 3 Discussion
2024 • Enterprise Experience 2020
Gold
Matt Webb
Context Window: Five Futures for AI
2025 • Designing with AI 2025
Gold
Rima Campbell
Increase Productivity and Drive Business Impact
2024 • DesignOps Summit 2024
Gold

More Videos

Xenia Adjoubei

"We were interested in supporting networks of self-organization and mutual aid formed between refugees and host communities."

Xenia Adjoubei Sean Bruce

Empowering Communities Through the Researcher in Residence Program

March 29, 2023

Tamara Kartoziia

"My definition of service design is dancing with needs and value."

Tamara Kartoziia

Think global, adapt local: how service design accelerated B2B market entry by 6 months

November 20, 2025

Jay Bustamante

"AI learns from the world, sometimes from untrusted sources, so it needs continual ethical iteration."

Jay Bustamante

Navigating the Ethical Frontier: DesignOps Strategies for Responsible AI Innovation

October 2, 2023

Nicole Aleong

"Speculation fills in the gaps where past experience fails us, often seen in hesitation or pauses."

Nicole Aleong

Future Orientations to Everyday Life: Futures Anthropology as a Methodology

March 26, 2024

Nick Lewis

"When I started out, I knew nothing about digital sustainability."

Nick Lewis

Designing and building low-carbon websites independently

November 18, 2025

Vicky Teinaki

"Accepting that data can be our friend enables us to argue design decisions with real numbers."

Vicky Teinaki Michele Marut Tim Parmee

Short Take #3: UX/Product Lessons from Your Industry Peers

December 6, 2022

Laura Weiss

"Everyone contributes to conflict; it’s not about right or wrong, but what each person is trying to protect."

Laura Weiss

Turn Down the Heat: 3 Ways to Handle Conflict in the Moment

November 20, 2024

Joerg Beringer

"We model context of use as knowledge graphs with tasks, sub-task goals, task objects—all linked in relations."

Joerg Beringer Thomas Geis

Scaling User Research with AI: Continuous Discovery of User Needs in Minutes

June 10, 2025

Shelby Switzer

"You can’t have a hackathon without free food."

Shelby Switzer

Making Space for Community Knowledge-sharing in a Distributed World

December 10, 2021