Research Ops 2.0, Episode 4: Building Enduring Systems Amidst Constant Change

Research Ops 2.0, Episode 4: Building Enduring Systems Amidst Constant Change

Author: User Interviews September 30, 2025 Duration: 48:33

In just ten 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 the field is evolving at breathtaking speed. But where have we come from, and where are we going?

In this five-part audio documentary, we’re exploring the past, present, and future of ResearchOps—and it’s exciting, fascinating, and, at times, pretty mindblowing stuff! Each episode features the voices of Cha Cha Club members, senior research leaders, and the smart minds behind User Interviews.


In this fourth and penultimate episode of ResearchOps 2.0, we’re exploring a timely topic: how to build enduring research systems even when change seems to be the order of the day—every day. You’ll hear top tips from experts who’ve managed to ride the winds of change to deliver successful, responsive research operations.


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

Awkward Silences
Podcast Episodes
#114 - What Does a UX Research Chief of Staff Do? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:46
The rise of UX research was a game changer in software design and development. As UX continues to grow in nearly every industry, research ops experts with strong leadership skills are critical for companies working at sc…
#112 - Finding Your Best Customers with Andrew Michael, CEO at Avrio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:17
Finding your dream customers can be tricky, and knowing which customers aren’t a good fit is important. That’s where customer profiles come in handy. In this episode of Awkward Silences, Andrew Michael, CEO of Avrio, dis…
#111 - The 2022 UX Research Tools Map with Roberta Dombrowski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:19
If you ask Roberta Dombrowski why it's her favorite time of year, she'll probably mention the UX Research Tools Map. Why? Because it’s one of User Interviews’ most popular projects of the year that features the best UX r…
#109 - The Challenges of Hybrid Work with Eduardo Gomez Ruiz of Miro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:49
As teams look for effective ways to collaborate between in-person and remote work, hybrid meetings are a flexible solution to meet both needs. But how can teams strike a balance of both in-person and remote meetings in a…
#107 - Making Research Ops Visible with Benson Low of REA Group [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:03
Most people have no idea what UX researchers do. Even less known is what Research Ops Specialists do, which is why one of the Research Ops community’s main priorities is to shine a light on the people, mechanisms, and st…