Blog - UXPA International

Congratulations to Our 2026 UXPA International Awardees

July 21, 2026July 20, 2026

In 2005, UXPA (formerly UPA) began formally honoring those who contribute in special ways to UXPA and to the profession. Recognition by a professional association is an important way to acknowledge both individual and chapter achievements, and to publicize the best projects we undertake. This year we awarded the President’s Award, Usability Service Award, and the Volunteer Service Award. Learn more about these awards below. The President’s Award This award gives special honors to an individual whose work has been important in furthering both the organization and usability in general. Usability Service Award Organizations thrive on the work of “unsung heroes” who put in extra effort to start, revitalize or sustain UXPA activities. They often devote extraordinary effort, beyond normal …

Volunteer Spotlight: EJ Makela

December 10, 2025December 8, 2025

EJ Makela UXPA International Webinar Coordinator Meet EJ Makela, a UX Generalist based in Minnesota and UXPA International’s Webinar Coordinator! With a passion for solving problems for users and seeking ways to make things better for people, EJ shares his experiences volunteering with UXPA International. How did you first learn about UXPA International? I heard about the organization in 2022 after making a career pivot to the experience-design discipline. There’s an active chapter here in Minnesota (UXPA-MN), which I discovered when loking for community support. I learned about the international organization soon after. What activities do you engage in as a UXPA International volunteer? Today, my primary role is that of the Webinar Coordinator. In practice, this involves hosting free …

Volunteer Spotlight: Anamol Rajbhandari

December 8, 2025September 29, 2025

Anamol Rajbhandari UXPA 2026 UX Strategy Topic Chair Meet Anamol Rajbhandari, a Product Designer based in the UK, and UX Strategy Topic Chair for the UXPA International 2026 Conference in Vegas. With a passion for evidence-based UX and community building, Anamol shares his experiences volunteering with UXPA International. How did you first learn about UXPA International? I stumbled across UXPA International on LinkedIn while exploring UX communities and events. It caught my eye as a great platform for professionals to connect with industry veterans and contribute to the growth and innovation of the broader UX industry. What are your activities as a UXPA International Volunteer? I began contributing to UXPA in early 2025 as a Design Volunteer for the 2025 …

Time to Pass the Torch!

June 30, 2025

I started volunteering for UXPA International a long, long time ago. The fact that it’s been over 10 years later and I am still volunteering for UXPA is a testament to our profession, this organization, and our members. UXPA International has given me a lot through the years – friendships, access to other UX professionals, great events, and even greater memories. I have served many roles during this time, most recently President. We have seen ups and downs – especially in the past 5 years (thank you Covid), but the one constant has been working with a fantastic board all dedicating our time together because of our love of UX. It will feel a little different waking up on July …

Why AI Won’t Replace Strategic UX Researchers (But Will Change How We Work)

June 3, 2025

UXPA Guest Blog Post Giulia Tumminelli Week 2

Welcome to insights and stories from our wonderful UXPA Community! This new blog series is dedicated to showcasing our members and interesting UX topics. Our goal is to bring together various viewpoints from fellow UXers all over the globe. If you’d like to participate, please email volunteers@uxpa.org. The rapid acceleration of AI in the tech industry has sparked a familiar question: Will AI take my job? A recent Financial Times article titled, “Why hasn’t AI taken your job yet?,” offers a compelling answer: complexity. It’s in the ambiguity, nuance, and messy reality of human behavior that our value as UX researchers becomes clear. AI tools are increasingly adept at automating repetitive tasks and surfacing patterns. But what they can’t do, at …

2025 UXPA Board of Directors: Call for Nominations

May 13, 2025May 5, 2025

Call for Nominations - Join Our Board of Directors!

UXPA International invites nominations for three key volunteer positions on our Board of Directors, each for a 3 year term from July 2025 to June 2028. Help shape the future of the User Experience Professionals Association and make a significant impact in the UX community. Roles open for nominations: Director of Finance Director of Marketing and Communications Director of Web The call for nominations will close Friday, May 23, 2025. Interested in applying? Find out more about the roles and application process Your skills and passion can drive the success of UXPA International. Nominate yourself or a colleague today!