Welcome to the
User Research Center

What We Do

The User Research Center (URC) at Harvard Library is Harvard's premier lab for user-centered design, digital accessibility, and testing. We work remotely to conduct user testing and accessibility testing for Harvard websites and systems.

Work with us to:

  • Recruit students from our participant pool for remote or in-person user testing. We have a participant pool with over 300 undergraduate and 150 graduate students from across Harvard.
  • Get advice from experts on best practices in user experience (UX).
  • Consult with experts on usability and digital accessibility projects.
  • Attend learning opportunities like workshops and presentations.

Expertise in UX & Accessibility Tools & Technology

Our staff can advise on how to:

  • Use Zoom for remote user research like interviews, usability testing, and focus groups.
  • Test for accessibility with screen readers like JAWS, VoiceOver, and NVDA.
  • Choose the right UX tools like Miro, Marvel, and Sketch. 
  • Create effective surveys in Qualtrics.

Collaborators

We work closely with teams from Harvard Web Publishing and Digital Accessibility Services.

Facilities & Technology

The URC is located in Lamont Library A-10, just one floor down from the Lamont Cafe. View detailed directions for finding the space. We provide the space and tools for you to test the user experience of your digital products.

Due to COVID-19 the lab space is closed but we are working remotely to support user research needs at Harvard.

Upcoming Events

2021 Dec 14

URC Brown Bag: Delivering Data-Driven Design

12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: 

Virtual (Zoom)

 

Join us for Delivering Data-Driven Design presented by Alina Balean, Senior Interaction Designer at Google.

During the presentation, Alina will share qualitative research methods and provide examples for reporting findings to take stakeholders that results in actionable next steps.

About Alina Balean

Alina Balean is a senior interaction designer at Google. Her curiosity for design and technology lead her on a journey to explore UX for wearable technology, commercial banking and healthcare startups....

Read more about URC Brown Bag: Delivering Data-Driven Design
2022 Jan 12

URC Brown Bag: Surveys That Work

12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: 

Virtual (Zoom)

Join us for Surveys That Work presented by Caroline Jarrett, Forms and Surveys Specialist at Effortmark Ltd.

Caroline Jarrett, author of Surveys That Work, A Practical Guide for Designing and Running Better Surveys will talk us through the steps you need to take to create effective surveys.

The presentation will be held from 12:00-1:00 PM on Zoom. Zoom meeting information will be sent via email once you register....

Read more about URC Brown Bag: Surveys That Work