When researchers stop advising and start building

Freeze-dried backpacking food, a finance app, a wobbly photo booth, the perfect coffee mug — all made by people who were "just" researchers. In his new article, James Lang talks to 21 of them about the quiet shift from understanding problems to building the solutions themselves. The surprising part: the real barrier isn't tools or skills, it's identity — and the path is often harder on the other side, not easier.

Read The New Makers

‍

James Lang is a researcher by background who wears many hats — strategist, product manager, community designer and coach. He's been UX Research Director at YouTube/Google, Product Manager at eBay, and Head of Research at cxpartners. Today he runs Together By Design, a volunteer collective using experience design to help people build healthier communities, and consults as a Fractional UX Director.

This year, James will be on stage as a speaker at uxcon vienna and as stage host at Future Builders.