by LinkedIn on Preparing Tomorrow’s UX Research Leaders: Influence Without Authority
UX360 speaker interview with Dr. Naomi Grewal
Naomi Grewal, Ph.D., is an accomplished research leader with a track record of driving innovation at top tech companies, including LinkedIn, Facebook/Meta, Pinterest, Uber and Workday. With expertise in leading research for large-scale products, she excels at bridging user needs with business objectives to inform strategic development. Naomi is passionate about building and empowering high-performing insights teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration and creating impactful solutions. Outside of work, she is a dedicated parent of three, an avid runner and she advocates for inclusivity, drawing from her personal journey with epilepsy.
UX360: What motivates you to join the UX360 conference and what is the core message of your talk?
Naomi: I’m excited to join UX360 because it’s a space for thoughtful conversations about how our field is evolving—and what future-ready UX researchers look like. My talk focuses on preparing tomorrow’s research leaders by building sustainable, impactful careers. I’ll share strategies for developing T-shaped skills—deep expertise paired with cross-functional fluency—that help researchers thrive through change.
UX360: How has this impacted your own work and your organisation?
Naomi: This mindset has shaped how I hire and mentor. At LinkedIn and in past roles, investing in adaptability has helped teams stay grounded during shifts and grow their influence across product, design, data science, and eng. Researchers who can flex and stay focused have the most lasting impact.
UX360: How has UX as a practice evolved in the last couple of years, and how would you like to see it evolve in the next few?
Naomi: UX has become more strategic in recent years. Researchers are now expected to shape direction—not just uncover insights. Going forward, I want to see us lean into influence without authority—challenging assumptions, shaping strategy, and representing user needs even in ambiguity.
UX360: Given this evolution, what are two expected and two less obvious skills UXers should possess, and why?
Naomi: Expected skills:
- Cross-functional fluency – Working well with PMs, Eng, Design, and Data Science is essential.
- AI tool literacy – Knowing how to use AI for surveys, synthesis, or ideation is becoming baseline.
Less obvious skills:
- Strategic patience – Knowing when to push or wait is underrated.
- Resilience in ambiguity – The best researchers stay grounded when things get messy.
UX360: Apart from work, what can delegates at the event talk to you about? Do you have any particular personal interests, hobbies or extracurricular activities and engagements?
Naomi: Outside of work, I love talking about career growth, parenting, and research leadership. I’m a mom of three, a runner, and I teach business psychology at the University of Southern California. I was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, which deepened my passion for accessibility and inclusion.
UX360: Last but not least, can you share your favourite recommendations for inspiration, learning and leadership:
Naomi:
Recommendations:
Podcasts: Now That’s Significant https://pod.co/now-thats-significant (guest episode!) and WorkLife by Adam Grant
Books: Essentialism by Greg McKeown and Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy — both are grounding and transformative
UX360: Thank you so much, Naomi! We look forward to hearing more from you at the event!
Join us and industry leaders at the UX360 Indo-Pacific Virtual Conference on UX Research and Design!
The event will showcase the latest UX and design research – from planning and conducting, to analysis and the implementation of UX insights. This exciting conference includes presentations from leading UX researchers from the world’s largest brands, interactive panel discussions and 1-2-1 meetings.
This is a must-attend conference for UX researchers to learn, be inspired and network. Register today to be among the best in the industry!
