What an Anthropologist Brings to a Software Company—The Modern Software Podcast
Blog post from New Relic
In a podcast episode hosted by New Relic, Ali Colleen Neff, PhD, an anthropologist and user experience researcher at the company, discusses her transition from academia to the tech industry, where she applies her skills to understand the behaviors and experiences of highly technical users. Neff's role involves observing and analyzing user interactions to improve New Relic's products, aiming to help users resolve incidents more efficiently. The podcast explores how anthropology can provide valuable insights into user experience, particularly in the context of complex systems and high-stakes environments. Neff highlights the growing trend of employing anthropologists in tech companies to enhance user-centric design and development, illustrating this through stories of real-world incidents and user challenges. She emphasizes the importance of qualitative research in understanding user journeys and contributing to the broader discourse on digital development. This approach not only aids product improvement but also enriches the field of user experience research by weaving individual stories into a comprehensive narrative that can guide product strategies and organizational practices.