Hi, I’m Em. I’m a User Researcher with a PhD in Psychology, leading user‑centred research across education, healthcare, and digital products and services. My work centres on making services clearer, more inclusive, and easier to navigate for the people who rely on them.
I design and deliver research that helps teams understand how people actually engage with products and services, including where they struggle, disengage, or are unintentionally excluded. I focus on translating that understanding into clear, evidence‑based decisions, particularly in complex, real‑world and regulated environments.
My work spans primary‑age pupils, teachers and special educational needs coordinators, families in public engagement settings, and adults aged 50–74 engaging with NHS bowel cancer screening. I also lead research on a live digital event platform, supporting product decisions through ongoing user insight. Across these contexts, I prioritise clarity, inclusion, and feasibility to ensure services work for the people who use them.
I lead multi‑phase research programmes, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to reduce delivery risk and support confident decision‑making within multidisciplinary teams. I’m particularly interested in public‑sector work, including education and healthcare, where research directly shapes meaningful outcomes.
Evidence‑led, inclusive, and pragmatic.
I select proportionate methods based on the decision being made, not the method itself, and focus on generating insight that teams can act on quickly and confidently.
These case studies show how I apply user‑centred research to reduce risk, improve inclusion, and support service decisions.
Observational Prototype Testing with Children (Turbo Typing)
Identifying usability risks in real-world environtments to inform early service decisions.
Co‑Design with Teachers & SENCos (Turbo Typing)
Translating usability risks into feasible and inclusive solutions through collaboration with educators.
Concept Testing & A/B Study Planning for NHS Screening Materials (In Progress)
Evaluating how visual changes affect clarity, trust, and inclusion in health service materials.
Reflections on research practice, combining my expertise in psychology and user‑centred design.
Addressing the “deadly sins” of Psychology and UX research: 4 tips for virtuous research
Synthesising perspectives from psychology and UX to highlight common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Practical guidance for conducting ethical, low‑friction research in real‑world contexts.
15 User Research Lessons from Parks and Recreation: 10 Don’ts and 5 Do’s
Using media examples to illustrate key user‑centred design principles.