From thought leaders sharing actionable frameworks to researchers posting real behind-the-scenes insights, we've rounded up the top people shaping the field in 2025. We also surveyed UX researchers from our panel to get their recommendations on who's worth following right now.

1. Nielsen Norman Group (NNG)

Industry-leading UX research and education firm

The Nielsen Norman Group (NNG) was the most frequently mentioned UX research resource in our Lyssna survey, and for good reason. As one of the most established names in UX education, NNG publishes clear, research-backed articles that span everything from usability testing to accessibility and design systems. Their reports and webinars are widely used by both junior and senior researchers alike. If you're looking for foundational principles, evergreen heuristics, and evolving best practices, NNG is a goldmine.

2. Steve Portigal

Research consultant, author of Interviewing Users

Steve Portigal is a longtime leader in the UX research space, best known for his book Interviewing Users, a staple on many researchers’ shelves. But it’s his ongoing reflections, interviews, and deep dives into the human side of research that keep his work so relevant. Steve regularly shares insights on how to ask better questions, build trust with participants, and make sense of messy data. He also hosts Dollars to Donuts, a podcast where he interviews research leaders about building and scaling UX research in real organizations. He’s a must-follow for anyone who wants to improve the craft and impact of their user interviews.

3. Eniola Abioye

Lead UX researcher, coach, and founder of UX Outloud

Known for her sharp, human-centered approach to career coaching and her leadership as a researcher at Meta. Through her platform UX Outloud, she supports professionals, particularly those from non-traditional or underrepresented backgrounds, in breaking into UX research by helping them translate their existing skills into compelling narratives. Her LinkedIn posts offer a steady stream of practical advice on career growth, interviewing, and navigating the tech industry with confidence. If you're looking for thoughtful, actionable guidance on growing as a researcher, or transitioning into the field, Eniola is an essential follow.

4. Nikki Anderson

Founder of User Research Academy

Nikki Anderson is one of the most consistent and approachable voices in UX research today. She writes The User Research Strategist, a popular weekly newsletter packed with practical guidance, career reflections, and behind-the-scenes takes on research in real teams. She also hosts The User Research Podcast, where she interviews researchers from around the world about their day-to-day work and the challenges they face. Whether you're new to the field or looking to grow your influence, Nikki’s content offers valuable, real-world support.

5. Erika Hall

Co-founder of Mule Design, author of Just Enough Research

Erika Hall is known for her sharp, insightful takes on research, ethics, and design strategy – often calling out the industry’s obsession with speed over substance. As co-founder of Mule Design and author of Just Enough Research, she’s spent years advocating for thoughtful, user-centered practices grounded in clarity and critique. On LinkedIn, she regularly challenges assumptions and offers smart, often provocative commentary on what it really means to “do the research.” If you’re tired of shallow takes and want thinking that cuts through the noise, Erika’s your person.

6. Sarah Doody

Founder of Career Strategy Lab

Sarah Doody is a UX researcher, product designer, and career strategist who helps researchers and designers build standout portfolios and land meaningful roles. Beyond resumes and case studies, she regularly shares insights on storytelling, communication, and the value of research in cross-functional teams. Her advice is especially useful for early- and mid-career researchers navigating a competitive job market. She also hosts regular Q&A sessions, offering clear, practical answers to the kinds of questions researchers are asking every day.

7. Sarah Winters

Founder of Content Design London

Sarah Winters is a pioneer in the field of content design and a strong advocate for plain language in user experiences. As the founder of Content Design London, she helps organisations transform how they communicate with users – making complex information clear, accessible, and inclusive. Formerly Head of Content Design for the UK Government Digital Service (GDS), Sarah literally wrote the book on content design and continues to influence how digital teams approach language, structure, and usability.

8. Michele Rosen

UX research educator and founder of Curiosity Tank

Michele Ronsen is the founder of Curiosity Tank, a research and education consultancy that helps individuals and organizations build stronger research practices. She’s known for making UX research more accessible through resources like Learn the Lingo, a content series designed to bridge communication across teams, and her “Ask Like a Pro” workshops. Whether you’re new to research or working to upskill a broader team, her content is a trusted resource for practical, real-world guidance.

9. Jan Ahrend

UX research at YouTube and advisor at Google for Startups

Jan Ahrend leads UX research at YouTube and serves as an advisor for Google for Startups. Through the User Weekly newsletter, Jan shares weekly curated articles, tools, and videos focused on cross-functional partnerships, research ops, and actionable UXR advice. Jan’s content often highlights how to build strong stakeholder relationships, thoughtfully scale research, and democratize insights across teams – valuable guidance if you're looking to make UX research impactful in large, dynamic organizations.

10. Janelle Ward

UX research consultant and founder of Janelle Ward Insights

Janelle Ward combines an academic background with hands-on industry experience to help teams grow strategic research practices. As the founder of Janelle Ward Insights, she works with companies to build research vision, improve stakeholder engagement, and scale operations. On LinkedIn, she shares thoughtful takes on leading in low UX maturity environments, influencing organizational change, and navigating the shift from academia to industry.

11. Vitaly Friedman

UX educator and founder of Smashing Magazine

With over 19 years of experience, Vitaly Friedman helps organizations improve the UX of complex digital systems, focusing on accessibility, performance, and design clarity. As the founder and editor-in-chief of Smashing Magazine, he also curates inclusive design conferences, runs video courses, and leads hands-on UX workshops. His LinkedIn content is packed with practical strategies for tackling messy processes, tricky stakeholders, and intricate product challenges.

12. Jennifer Blatz

Principal UX Researcher at BECU and host of BlatzChatz

Jennifer Blatz shares practical, approachable insights on UX research through her LinkedIn posts and BlatzChatz video series. With a focus on real-world methods, stakeholder collaboration, and career growth, she’s a valuable voice for mid-level researchers. As a co-founder of one of the largest UX groups in the world, the UX Research & Strategy Group, she’s also deeply engaged in growing the global UXR community.

13. Jesse James Garrett

Executive design leadership coach and author of The Elements of User Experience

One respondent in our survey highlighted Garrett for both his philosophy and his influential book, calling him “a leader in UX.” A foundational voice in UX, Jesse James Garrett now focuses on coaching design leaders and exploring how AI is reshaping the practice. On LinkedIn and through his Finding Our Way podcast, he shares thoughtful takes on leadership, team culture, and the future of UX.

14. Jared Spool

Founder of UIE, UX educator and speaker

Jared Spool has been a guiding voice in the UX community for decades. As founder of User Interface Engineering (UIE), one of the longest-running research and consulting firms focused on UX and product design. UIE has trained thousands of teams and pioneered thinking around UX strategy, usability, and design maturity. Jared’s content blends leadership advice, candid insights on UX maturity, and sharp commentary on the gap between research and business outcomes. If you're looking to influence teams and prove the value of research, his insights deliver both clarity and inspiration.