From Insight to Impact: Making UX Research Work in Higher Education

Higher education is under increasing pressure to improve student outcomes, modernize digital environments, and operate more efficiently. Institutions are investing in systems, platforms, and data, yet the student experience across these touchpoints often remains fragmented and difficult to navigate. This session shares insights from building and leading a UX practice within a large educational institution, combined with survey data from the EDUCAUSE User Experience & Service Design Community and interviews with more than 40 practitioners. Together, these perspectives surface common challenges, patterns in decision-making, and practical approaches for introducing and growing UX research in higher education. Designed for professionals across roles, including product, IT, design, research, academic, and administrative functions, this session meets participants wherever they are in their UX journey. Whether you are just getting started, or looking to strengthen existing efforts, you will gain a clearer understanding of the field of UX research in higher education and how it can support more informed decisions and improved learning experiences. The goal is to provide grounded, actionable guidance that helps you take the next step, bringing user experience research (actionable insights!) into your work in a way that is practical, relevant, and sustainable within the realities of higher education.