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. The URC is located in Lamont Library A-10, just one floor down from the Lamont Cafe. View detailed directions for finding the space. 

Facilities & Technology

We provide the space and tools for you to test the user experience of your digital products. The lab supports methods like interviews, prototype reviews, usability testing, and accessibility testing. The lab is available for booking or we offer equipment you can borrow to run tests anywhere.

At the URC you can:

  • Get advice from experts on best practices in UX.
  • Attend learning opportunities like workshops and webinars.
  • Consult with experts on usability and digital accessibility projects.
  • Recruit from participant pools of Harvard students and assistive technology users.

View photos of the URC

Collaborators

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

Upcoming Events

2020 Sep 30

URC Fall Brown Bag Series: Conducting Remote User Interviews with Image Researchers

12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: 

Online (Zoom)

Join us for Conducting Remote User Interviews with Image Researchers, presented by Song Ha Kim, UX Researcher, Digital Strategies and Innovation, Harvard Library.

Details: Come hear an in-depth case study about how Harvard Library interviewed image researchers to understand their digital image research process. Walk through the findings of an image researcher's digital research process, the role of different image platforms, and how the process ties to Harvard platforms such as HOLLIS Images and Harvard Digital Collections.

 The presentation will be held...

Read more about URC Fall Brown Bag Series: Conducting Remote User Interviews with Image Researchers
2020 Oct 14

URC Fall Brown Bag Series: Demystifying ARIA to Improve Accessibility

12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: 

Online (Zoom)

Join us for Demystifying ARIA to Improve Accessibility presented by Enrique Diaz, Head of Design & Development, Digital Strategies and Innovation, Harvard Library.

WAI-ARIA is the Web Accessibility Initiative’s suite of guidelines for creating Accessible Rich Internet Applications. That definition makes ARIA sound daunting, but it really isn't! ARIA guides web developers on how to increase the accessibility of web page content (especially dynamic content) for persons with disabilities. 

Whether you're developing sites or assessing their accessibility for...

Read more about URC Fall Brown Bag Series: Demystifying ARIA to Improve Accessibility
2020 Oct 29

URC Fall Brown Bag Series: Remote Usability Testing

12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: 

Online (Zoom)

Join us for a talk on Remote Usability Testing presented by Amy Deschenes, Head of UX & Digital Accessibility, Digital Strategies and Innovation, Harvard Library.

In this session we’ll talk about the basics of task-based usability testing and best practices for conducting user research remotely. We’ll share stories from recent user testing done via Zoom by the URC.

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 Fall Brown Bag Series: Remote Usability Testing
See calendar