#103 - Ethical Design and Respectful UX Research with Kat Zhou of Epidemic Sound

#103 - Ethical Design and Respectful UX Research with Kat Zhou of Epidemic Sound

Author: User Interviews September 23, 2022 Duration: 42:40

‘Ethical design’ is a term that encompasses a process of designing useful, empowering, and accessible products that do not harm, manipulate, or deceive people. It is, in essence, about treating people you design for with respect and consideration.

That’s a deceptively simple goal, and many companies miss the mark. Kat Zhou joins us today to talk about the challenges, opportunities, and urgent need for ethical design and research.


In this episode:

  • Why is ethical design so critical for both users and companies?
  • How to integrate ethics and respect in your UX research
  • How ethical design empowers inclusive and equitable representation


Highlights:

  • [0:51] What is ethical design in UX?
  • [2:35] Where can you learn about ethical design for UX?
  • [4:38] Ethical design resources for researchers
  • [5:29] What does it mean to treat people with respect?
  • [8:33] Could we balance business goals with respect?
  • [12:40] Pragmatism versus idealism
  • [15:52] What does deceptive design imply?
  • [17:40] Ethical design practices for UX researchers
  • [24:28] Boosting inclusive representation
  • [29:44] Changing the world for the better
  • [34:11] UX regulations
  • [43:00] Kat’s key takeaways on ethical design and research


Sources mentioned in the episode:


About our guest

Kat Zhou is a product developer and designer who focuses on integrating ethics into the design of AI systems. Currently, she is the Senior Product Designer at Epidemic Sound. Before that, Kat was the Creator of the < Design Ethically > project, a Member Of The Board Of Advisors at The YX Foundation, and a Product Designer at Spotify and IBM. Kat is also a strong advocate for more inclusive and privacy-friendly approaches to AI.


Awkward Silences is a conversation about the human side of building things. Hosts Erin May and Carol Guest, both VPs at User Interviews, don't just talk about theory-they get into the messy, real-world practice of talking to users and making sense of what they say. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the craft of user research, featuring candid chats with the practitioners who do this work every day. You'll hear stories about navigating tricky interviews, the weight of interpreting qualitative data, and how genuine understanding directly shapes better products and smarter business decisions. This isn't a dry lecture; it's a geeky, relatable dive into the questions and quiet moments that define UX research. The Awkward Silences podcast lives in the intersection of technology and business, focusing on the people and processes that connect them. Listen for practical insights, empathetic strategies, and the occasional shared laugh about the inevitable fumbles that come with trying to understand anyone. It’s for anyone who believes that building effectively starts with listening well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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