Act 02
Scene 37 – Featuring Theo Johnson
Theo Johnson, a senior UX researcher at Microsoft, joins the conversation to explore the realities of driving research within complex corporate environments. With experience across tech giants and an academic foundation in human-computer interaction, Theo reflects on the nuanced role of research—its pace, its power, and its potential when tightly aligned with product decision-making. He shares how researchers can shift from reactive validators to proactive partners in shaping better outcomes.
- Examining the cultural and structural hurdles that prevent research insights from impacting backlogs
- Demonstrating the importance of storytelling in making research persuasive and stakeholder-friendly
- Exploring how AI can accelerate research tasks without replacing human judgment and empathy
His insights challenge designers to think beyond execution. To become translators of creativity into value. To articulate their decisions not just beautifully, but persuasively. To resist complacency and embrace growth, even in uncertain time.
His reflections are a call to action for researchers to stay visible, stay vocal, and stay strategic. To bring clarity and evidence to the table, not just opinions. To ensure their work isn’t just stored, but shared. And to champion design not as a service, but as a lever for impact.