May 2026: Volume 21, Issue 3
Introduction
Bill Albert, PhD, and James R. (Jim) Lewis, Ph.D
Our May 2026 essay is “The Explosion of AI-Powered Research Tools Is Reshaping UX Practice,” by Jeff Sokolov. In the essay, Dr. Sokolov discusses how AI tools shift UX researchers from being hands-on investigators to workflow orchestrators, create a tension between increased speed and scale and risk fragmented insights across disconnected tools, and play a […] Read More
Invited Essay
The Explosion of AI-Powered Research Tools Is Reshaping UX Practice
Introduction I begin with the premise that the explosion of AI-powered UX research tools is reshaping both the role of the researcher and the practice of UX research. In this essay, I examine three interrelated shifts: researchers moving from being hands-on investigators to workflow orchestrators; the tension between increased speed and scale and the risk […] Read More
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Developing User-Centered Mindsets: A Structured Methodology
Dr. Martin Wilson, Dr. Sharon McDonald, and Professor Alastair Irons
Abstract Mindsets, behavioral archetypes grounded in user beliefs and actions, are increasingly used in user-centered design (UCD) to communicate complex user behaviors. However, the lack of methodological rigor and transparency in the development of mindsets has limited their credibility and broader application. This study presents a structured six-step methodology for creating and validating mindsets from […] Read More
Deceptive Patterns: UX and Web Designers’ Perspectives
Johanna Silvennoinen, Laura Havinen, Rebekah Rousi, Markus Ahola, PhD, and Jari Varsaluoma
Abstract Over recent years, digital platforms and services have become ever more competitive. As competition has intensified, companies have found new ways to maximize profit. Deceptive patterns are design tactics in user interfaces that manipulate and deceive users, compromising user agency and privacy. Although research has focused on deceptive pattern taxonomies and end-user experiences, a […] Read More