#190 - How to Navigate the Constant Change in UX Research with Learners CEO Alec Levin

#190 - How to Navigate the Constant Change in UX Research with Learners CEO Alec Levin

Author: User Interviews May 26, 2026 Duration: 39:43

Erin May sits down with Alec Levin, CEO and Co-Founder of Learners, to explore how researchers can navigate the rapid changes reshaping their field. Alec shares his vision for how AI and automation are creating unprecedented opportunities for research teams willing to step up and lead.

Alec argues that while AI can handle routine tasks like usability testing and surveys, researchers have a chance to focus on higher-value discovery work that includes prototyping and coding. He emphasizes that this is a critical moment for researchers to define their own future rather than letting executives decide their role. The conversation covers practical examples of AI-powered research workflows, the importance of cross-functional collaboration, and why researchers need to be more proactive in pitching their vision internally.

Highlights

  • 03:40 Balance sheeting thinking for change
  • 06:15 Connecting researchers through community
  • 13:11 Discovery research importance 
  • 15:02 Vision needed for researcher evolution
  • 24:08 Automated research workflows emerging
  • 31:16 Human elements AI can't replace

Resources


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: 50

Awkward Silences
Podcast Episodes
Research Ops 2.0, Episode 2: Leveraging AI for Research Superstardom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:24
In just 10 years, ResearchOps has transformed from an obscure Silicon Valley speciality into a vibrant global profession. Despite economic headwinds, ResearchOps roles are emerging across industries far beyond tech, and…
#171 - Summer Throwback: Kate Towsey on Starting a ReOps Practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
Welcome to Summer Throwbacks, where we revisit some of our favorite episodes. This week's guest is Kate Towsey, who helped spotlight the relevance, urgency, and importance of Research Operations (ReOps) to business. This…
#169 - Summer Throwback: Eniola Abioye on Breaking into User Research [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:37
Welcome to Summer Throwbacks, were we revisit some of Awkward Silences' most memorable episodes.This week, Eniola Abioye, UX Researcher at Meta, discusses what it takes to break into the user research industry. Her advic…
#168 - Summer Throwback: Amy Chess on Asking Better Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:00
Welcome to Summer Throwbacks, where we revisit some of Awkward Silences' most memorable episodes.This week features Amy Chess (then at Amazon) unpacking arguably the most important research skill: asking questions. She s…