Empathy is the magic potion of our profession. Imagine if we could use some of it for ourselves!

It's time to Reflect. Reboot. Renew.

User Research Conference | May 03 - 05, 2023

May 03, 2023

May 04, 2023

May 05, 2023

About the Event

Through this conference, we plan to bring together the Indian user research community to engage with and listen to experts and thought leaders - From a variety of disciplines (research, product management, and design), different geographies, and from varied roles (independent practitioners, research agencies, CXOs, CEOs, academicians, etc.)
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Our hope is that this 3-day volunteer-driven conference will provide some provocations and food for thought, which will recharge us for what lies ahead.

To maintain confidentiality, the conference will not be recorded - We encourage you and our speakers to share your honest thoughts and foster candid conversations.
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The user research community is currently in a state of flux due to a spate of layoffs, particularly in the tech sector. The impact of these layoffs has been strongly felt by the Indian user research community.

We believe that this is the right time for us to come together as a community - To reflect, take a step back, and learn or unlearn whatever is necessary to move forward as a discipline in a new and energized way.

It is with this intent, that we are putting together an online conference that is spread over 3 evenings - May 3rd to 5th 2023, 6-9 pm IST.
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The conference name reflects this theme to ‘reflect’, ‘reboot’ and ‘renew’ – ‘RoohSearch’ is an amalgamation of the Urdu word ‘Rooh’ meaning ‘soul’ and ‘search.

Who is it for?

Indian user research community

When is it?

May 03 - 05, 2023

Where is it?

Virtual conference

Will it be recorded?

No! Confidentiality is a priority.

Is it free?

Yes!

Conference Agenda

6 - 6:15pm
Introduction and Welcome Note
Devika Ganapathy
6:15 - 7:15pm
Panel Discussion 1
Dealing with current uncertainty - The voice of researchers
Eshita Priyadarshini, Achyutha Sharma, Divya Chaddha, Nikhita Ghugari
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(Moderated by Lavanya Julaniya)
7:15 - 8pm
Keynote Presentation 1
The current state of user research - A multidimensional perspective
Parameswaran Venkataraman, Ripul Kumar
8 - 8:15pm
Break
8:15 - 9pm
Keynote Presentation 2
User research today and going forward - A product manager's PoV
Anshumani Ruddra
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(Moderated by Kavitha Appaya)

6 - 7pm
Fireside Chat
A researchers journey - Longitudinal perspective
Jan Chipchase
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(Moderated by Devika Ganapathy)
7 - 8pm
Panel Discussion 2
What Next? - Driving influence and creating impact
Asif Baki, Arvind Lodaya, Kathy Leake, Veena Sonwalkar
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(Moderated by Ruchika Tiwari)
8 - 8:15pm
Break
8:15 - 9pm
Housekeeping for the RoohSpace
Navigating mental health in times of uncertainty, unpredictability and transition
Devi Mani, Liza Mathew

(Moderated by Shalini Raghunathan)

6 - 6:45pm
Panel Discussion 3
What next? - Envisioning the future, Identifying opportunities for success
Akshay Verma, Divya Viswanathan, Muzayun Mukhtar, Nayantara Kamath, Shivani Gupta

(Moderated by Kuncham Pradeep Setty)
6:45 - 7:45pm
Panel Discussion 4
What next? - Alternate paths, Thriving outside the corporate world
Devika Ganapathy, Dharmesh Ba, Ripul Kumar, Shipra Bhutada

(Moderated by Bhaskar Singh Tomar)
7:45 - 8pm
Break
8 - 9pm
Panel Discussion 5
The future of user research in India: A design leadership PoV
Ann Hintzman, Jayawant Tewari, Ruchi Batra, Shaon Sengupta

(Moderated by Deepa Bachu)
9 - 9:15pm
Closing Note
Akash Pramanick

Meet our Speakers

Anshumani Ruddra

Anshumani has spent 19 years crafting experiences and products - first as an author of children’s books, then as a game designer, followed by a product manager with consumer tech biz in gaming, messaging, healthcare, education and more. He believes that magic happens at the intersection of tech, storytelling, media, pop culture, and human behaviour.

Muzayun Mukhtar

Muzayun leads research for Google Search in India, focusing on making the internet useful and usable for the next billion users. She specializes in people-centered product design, ethnographic field research, usability and trend forecasting. She is especially passionate about technological interventions in complex social problems.

Veena Sonwalkar

Veena is a studio head at Frog Design, Bangalore - a leading design and innovation consulting firm of Capgemini Invent. She is a design thought leader with 19 years of experience in UX consulting, building and leading teams across geos. She believes in 'planet-centric design' and is very keen on topics related to the intersection of people, planet, products and systems.

Kathy Leake

Kathy is a 4x entrepreneur who has received several awards including the Forbes "Top 11 Women Who Started Amazing Companies". She believes that for companies to achieve their AI goals, they need to create more inclusivity for women in the roles as data scientists and ML roles; which she tries to achieve at the current organisation she founded - Crux Intelligence.

Click here to Know about more speakers

Register for Free!

Interested in attending the 3-day event?
Register now if you are a user researcher working in India!
We have limited spots - So, don't wait too long to register.
We look forward to seeing you there!