This talk is will show you how to teach research. It isn't a talk about 'how you should conduct research' or a typical university lecture on research methods, but instead will provide senior researchers with the tools and confidence to up-skill the rest of their team - and ideally company - on all things research. We're all aware that there is a movement for democratising research, but we need to use the right methods to allow our non-research colleagues to appreciate why, how, and when to conduct research themselves. This talk will help you convince non-researchers to learn research skills, whilst coaching you on the best way to engage non-researchers in up-skilling. The talk will give a context to the idea of democratizing research before providing a framework for teaching research, alongside case-studies and other sources to help illustrate its points.
Watch this WaysConf session, then continue with related talks or explore the current programme.
In this WaysConf 2024 presentation, Rhys Hillan, Research Manager at Ballpark, outlines a practical framework for upskilling non-researchers to support the democratization of user research. Rather than replacing professional researchers, democratization empowers cross-functional colleagues—such as designers, product managers, and marketers—to conduct basic evaluative studies independently. Hillan details a two-step methodology: first, convincing colleagues to learn by highlighting how research enhances their specific roles, knowledge, and operational autonomy; and second, teaching them through a tailored, highly efficient syllabus. He emphasizes that educators must only teach what is necessary for a colleague's immediate tasks, establish clear boundaries for when a dedicated researcher should step in, and adapt to diverse learning styles. By maintaining organization, patience, and robust documentation, research teams can safely scale their impact without compromising data quality or team relationships.
To successfully motivate non-researchers to learn research methods, you must demonstrate how these skills directly benefit their daily responsibilities. Tailor your pitch to their specific tasks, such as helping a designer test homepage icons rather than teaching them complex qualitative analysis.
Watch from 5:10Emphasizing autonomy is a highly effective way to convince busy product and design teams to invest time in learning research. When colleagues can run their own basic tests, they avoid waiting on external schedules and can move faster in lean, agile environments.
Watch from 7:14Democratization requires defining a clear threshold where a non-researcher's self-service testing ends and a professional researcher's involvement must begin. This boundary prevents errors on complex studies and varies depending on the organization's size and resources.
Watch from 10:07Training sessions for non-researchers should be kept short, sweet, and focused strictly on essential practical knowledge. Avoid dry, academic lectures and instead use active, hands-on learning centered around the participants' upcoming projects.
Watch from 13:52Providing continuous support through open communication channels and diverse documentation formats is crucial for long-term training success. Creating resources like Loom videos, written guides, and webinars helps accommodate different learning styles and reduces anxiety about launching live studies.
Watch from 20:19These concise notes were edited from automatic captions and checked against the talk structure. They are not a verbatim transcript.
We are living in an era where organizations increasingly want to democratize research, which has sparked significant skepticism and debate within the professional research community. However, if a company decides to pursue democratization, it must be executed effectively to avoid negative business outcomes. Upskilling non-researchers is not about making the professional researcher's role redundant; rather, it is about empowering other teams to integrate basic research practices into their own workflows. When done correctly, this collaborative approach strengthens the overall organization.
Watch from 1:43To successfully teach research to non-researchers, you must first convince them that the effort is worth their time. This requires researchers to adopt a sales mindset and pitch the benefits of user testing directly to designers, product managers, and marketers. The pitch should focus on three core pillars: how research directly supports their specific job functions, how it fills gaps in their current product knowledge, and how it grants them the operational autonomy to move faster in agile environments without waiting on external research queues.
Watch from 4:42One of the biggest anxieties researchers face during democratization is the fear of redundancy. To address this, we must clarify that upskilling does not mean turning everyone into a full-time researcher. When designing a syllabus for colleagues, only teach them the specific methods they need for their immediate tasks. For example, a designer testing homepage icons does not need to learn complex qualitative thematic analysis or specialized software. Keep the curriculum highly targeted to their immediate practical needs and establish clear boundaries for when a professional researcher should take over.
Watch from 8:51Traditional academic methods of teaching research, such as long lectures and textbook memorization, are highly ineffective for busy corporate teams. To keep non-researchers engaged, training sessions must be short, efficient, and highly practical. The best approach is to use real, upcoming projects from their own pipelines as teaching cases. By applying research concepts directly to their actual work, the training becomes immediately relatable and interesting, which helps maintain their enthusiasm throughout a long-term upskilling program.
Watch from 13:52Launching a live research project with real users and company budget can be highly intimidating for beginners, especially those who are uncomfortable with quantitative data or user testing platforms. As an educator, you must remain incredibly patient and supportive. Building comprehensive self-service documentation, such as Loom videos, guides, and webinars, allows learners to study at their own pace. Keeping communication channels open and offering hands-on guidance during their first few projects ensures a smooth, positive transition into autonomous testing.
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