How Feminist Theory Informs My Approach to UX Research

Inclusive design begins with diverse perspectives

UX research, we often focus on designing for diverse users, and one idea from feminist theory that has deeply influenced my approach is the resistance to essentialism — the belief that there’s no single, universal experience that can represent any group of people. This concept is particularly relevant when thinking about how we approach user personas, user testing, and the overall design process.

A key critique in feminist research is that essentialism reduces complex identities to a few supposedly “representative” characteristics. This same critique applies to UX research: when we design for the so-called “average user,” we risk excluding the wide variety of experiences, abilities, and contexts that exist in the real world.

This is where intersectionality, another important concept from feminist theory, becomes valuable. Intersectionality teaches us that people’s experiences are shaped by multiple, overlapping identities — such as race, gender, class, and ability. Applying this framework to UX research helps us see beyond simplistic user profiles and better understand how different aspects of identity influence a person’s interaction with a product.

For example, in a typical user research project, we might segment users by demographic categories like age or gender, but this doesn’t capture the full picture. By applying an intersectional lens, we can better understand how a combination of factors — like being a woman of color or a person with disabilities — might influence someone’s interaction with a product. This nuanced approach leads to more inclusive and accurate user insights.

Just as feminist researchers push back against simplified, generalized models of identity, I aim to resist reductive views of users in UX research. Understanding the diversity of human experiences makes for better, more inclusive products, and applying feminist principles helps us achieve that.

I’m excited to keep exploring how these ideas intersect with UX research, and I’ll share more about these connections in future posts. #UXResearch #FeministTheory #Intersectionality #InclusiveDesign #UserExperience #Essentialism

If you’ve found similar intersections between fields in your work, I’d love to hear about them!