Positioning insight: Structuring teams, roles and careers for a changing research landscape
Summary
As the relational dynamics between researchers, participants, and organizations evolve, it’s essential to rethink team structures, roles, learning, and career paths for those working in insights. With expanding methodologies and a shift towards both knowledge curation as well as generation, our discussion explores how to position insight teams for success and empower individuals to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Key Insights
-
•
Insights are not isolated findings but collective aha moments that help organizations make impactful decisions.
-
•
The most powerful insights emerge through collaboration across cross-functional teams, not from single researchers alone.
-
•
Triangulating data from multiple organizational sources and academic research builds more credible, holistic insights.
-
•
Positioning researchers as coaches and lateral leaders empowers stakeholders to use data responsibly and make better decisions.
-
•
Centralized insight repositories powered by generative AI can democratize access while maintaining curation and ethical controls.
-
•
Ethical research requires safeguarding participant privacy, creating psychologically safe environments, and standardized consent practices.
-
•
Leveraging real user stories and video content makes insights more relatable and compelling across functions.
-
•
Continuous education and clear communication about research roles and data usage build trust and reduce stakeholder frustration.
-
•
Embedding research early in product cycles avoids last-minute hypotheses and promotes solving the right problems efficiently.
-
•
Demonstrating the business impact of ethical and inclusive research practices helps gain leadership support and drive adoption.
Notable Quotes
"Insight is that aha moment, a new understanding that helps us make decisions that move us forward."
"Insights are the fire that inspires, challenges, and drives teams and stakeholders into action."
"We are doctors, not waiters — we combine data, context, and expertise to create meaningful insights."
"Researchers must shift from gatekeepers of knowledge to coaches who help others understand what to trust."
"Triangulate, triangulate, triangulate — use multiple data sources and secondary research to build robust insights."
"An insight repository curated thoughtfully and powered by generative AI makes research accessible anytime with trusted references."
"Position research as strategic partners early in the process, not as work to be done at the end of the production line."
"Ethics isn’t just about empathy during research, it’s every step where humans are involved."
"Demonstrate business value of less extractive, participatory research methods to make ethical practices easier to adopt."
"Video newsletters sharing real user stories create empathy and engagement far beyond numbers and reports."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Clear is kind — clarity and kindness in content design create meaningful experiences for all."
Frances Yllana Ann Buechner Jess Jones Betsy RamacciaD.E.A.R.R. Diaries (Discipline, Experience, Architecture, Reflection + Revolution)
November 16, 2022
"Scaling design organizations is the theme because in trying times, we need each other's support."
Bria AlexanderTheme Two Intro
September 8, 2022
"Imagine going to the hospital for an emergency and the doctor doesn’t believe you’re in pain because AI says so."
Dr. Jamika D. BurgeBroad Strokes: Connecting Design, Research, and AI to the World Around Us
June 7, 2023
"You need to know your limits on how far you’re willing to exert influence and your energy investment."
Joshua GravesWe Need To Talk: Navigating Conversations with Your Boss (Part 1 of 3)
April 14, 2025
"Onboarding a new customer well bridges silos between acquisition and maintenance and produces enormous monetary rewards."
Lavrans Løvlie Ben ReasonAsk me anything – Authors of Service Design: From Insight to Implementation
November 19, 2025
"Researchers are translators, storytellers, facilitators, and bridge builders. I love that bridge-building dimension."
Rebecca BuckMission: Keep Talent in Research Roles!
March 10, 2021
"Creating a set of experience KPIs allows us to measure whether our experiences are simple, honest, and meeting customer expectations."
Sarah WilliamsVerizon_A Framework for CX Transformation
January 8, 2024
"Sponsor sessions are not sales pitches; they are content-rich and free to anyone who wants to attend."
Bria AlexanderOpening Remarks
September 9, 2022
"Customer obsession is actually one of our key values, which makes my job as a researcher a little bit easier."
Joanna Vodopivec Prabhas PokharelOne Research Team for All - Influence Without Authority
March 9, 2022
