"Should Everybody Do Research?" - Kate Towsey

"Should Everybody Do Research?" - Act 02 - Scene 38 - Kate Towsey

Summary

In this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast, Naresh Shan speaks with Kate Towsey, a prominent figure in the field of research operations. They discuss the evolution and current state of research ops, the importance of democratizing research, and the role of researchers in product development. Kate emphasises the need for strong research leadership and the integration of AI as a strategic partner in research processes. The conversation also touches on the future of research methodologies and the importance of building effective research repositories to enhance organisational knowledge.

Takeaways

• Kate Towsey is a well-known figure in the field of research operations.
• Research ops is growing despite layoffs in the industry.
• Companies recognise the need for research, but may not see the need for dedicated researchers.
• Democratisation of research allows various roles to conduct research.
• Research leaders play a crucial role in guiding research strategy.
• AI can enhance research processes, but should be viewed as a teammate.
• Effective research repositories are crucial for knowledge sharing.
• Research methodologies will evolve with the integration of artificial intelligence.
• Building relationships with stakeholders is crucial to shaping the research culture.
• Understanding organisational priorities can help researchers align their efforts.

 

Chapters

00:48 - Introduction and Setting the Stage

02:18 - Kate Towsey's Journey into Research Operations

05:22 - The Current State of Research Ops

08:17 - Democratisation of Research and Its Implications

11:21 - Quality of Research in a Democratized Environment

14:14 - The Role of Researchers in Organisations

17:18 - Challenges and Opportunities for Research Ops

19:49 - The Role of Researchers in Product Development

21:47 - Rethinking Product Development Life Cycle

23:58 - The Need for Research Leadership

26:39 - Translating Research into Business Language

29:20 - Leveraging AI in Research

34:30 - AI as a Team Member in Research

38:47 - Synthetic Users and Research Optimisation

43:10 - The Evolving Role of Research in Design

45:14 - Methodologies in Flux: The Future of Research

48:37 - Research as the Spine of Organisations

53:59 - Influencing Change: The Path to Research Integration

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