Nicolas Doyle, Ph.D.

About

With a PhD in Applied Linguistics and 10+ years of applied research experience, I am a Bilingual Principal User Experience Researcher. I specialize in investigating user needs, pain points, and delights across languages and cultures to inform the design of multilingual services and products, using a wide range of qualitative research methodologies customized to specific research goals. I have a proven record of uncovering and sharing insights that drive improvements in the design and delivery of more inclusive, accessible, and innovative products. I have led and contributed to multiple UX research projects for clients such as the General Services Administration, Hack for LA, Pennsylvania State University, and more. I have strong oral and written communication skills and value community-driven organizations. I enjoy working collaboratively in cross-functional teams oriented around understanding the needs and behaviors of users. I am passionate about improving the user experience of adult multilingual learners of English and other languages, and I am always eager to connect and learn from other UX professionals and enthusiasts.

Experience

• Principal Bilingual Experience Researcher · Bixal09-01-2024

  - Led bilingual English/Spanish research strategy for the USA.gov benefit finder redesign, generating insights that shaped design, content, and functionality decisions – driving a 435% increase in monthly site visits in Q4 2024. - Partnered with the CEO and executive leadership to translate research insights into business strategy, shaping company growth initiatives. - Managed an internal knowledge-sharing platform for 40+ researchers & designers, using research insights to expand functionality, improve usability, and drive engagement across teams. - Facilitated interactive workshops with 70+ UX professionals, guiding them through core concepts in multicultural UX research and design strategy at industry conferences, including DrupalCon and the Code for America Summit.

• Senior Bilingual User Experience Researcher · Bixal2022-10-01 –

  Bixal is a mission-driven organization determined to leave a positive impact on the lives of people everywhere. Partnering with leading Federal agencies to conceive and deliver powerful data-driven customer experiences through holistic digital and communications solutions, the work Bixal does helps clients and partners unite stakeholders, optimize resources, advance missions, and better serve citizens all over the world. As a Senior Bilingual UX Researcher at Bixal, I play a pivotal role in shaping user experiences that cater to a diverse, international audience. My responsibilities include: - Leading and executing user research initiatives across a wide range of products and services, focusing on understanding the unique needs and preferences of both English and Spanish speakers - Advising on strategies to better connect federal services with and recruit users from underserved communities, with an emphasis on Spanish speakers with limited proficiency in English - Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, content writers, product managers, and developers, to integrate multilingual research findings into the design and development process - Conducting a variety of research methods, including usability testing, user interviews, user personas, and journey/service maps, to gather actionable insights and validate design concepts - Analyzing and synthesizing research data to uncover user pain points, opportunities for improvement, and actionable design recommendations - Creating and delivering compelling research reports and presentations to stakeholders, influencing product strategy and design direction - Mentoring and guiding junior researchers, fostering a culture of research excellence within the organization - Staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices, continuously seeking opportunities to enhance our research methodologies and tools

• UX Research Lead · Hack for LA2022-06-01 – 2022-10-01

  - Develop and moderate usability testing of MVP - Collaborate with other UX Researchers, Product Managers, Content Writers, Developers, and Engineers to prioritize research opportunities - Draft research plans aligned with priorities and organizational needs - Advocate research findings to stakeholders and cross-functional teams through written reports and presentations

• UX Researcher · Hack for LA2022-02-01 – 2022-06-01
• Researcher · Penn State University2016-08-01 – 2021-06-01

  - Conducted over 20 end-to-end primary research studies to uncover needs and develop language education tools, products, and services in fast-paced, large organization - Collaborated with other Researchers, Product Managers, Designers, and SMEs to set research priorities - Collected end-user data through usability testing, ethnographies, benchmark studies, participatory workshops, contextual inquiries, surveys, diary studies, and over 150 hours of user interviews - Advocated research findings to diverse stakeholders through 60+ written reports and presentations - Awarded 3 research fellowships and grants totaling over $20,000

• Course Instructor and Mentor · Penn State University2016-08-01 – 2021-05-01

  - Planned and taught 20+ undergraduate and graduate-level college courses in English composition and communication - Developed course websites and adapted information architecture to maximize ease-of-use and student learning - Mentored and supervised over 40 international student teachers through practicum experiences and field experiences

• Research Assistant, Migration Studies Project · Penn State University2016-12-01 – 2017-08-01
• Training Coordinator and Researcher · Mid-State Literacy Council, Inc.2017-04-01 – 2020-12-01

  - Conducted 7 end-to-end generative and evaluative research studies to support development of new products and services to train adult literacy tutors - Evangelized importance of understanding user experiences to develop adult literacy products and services - Developed journey maps and user personas to uncover pain points and build stakeholder understanding of tutors’ experiences - Conducted heuristic analyses, contextual inquiries, usability tests, stakeholder interviews, and user interviews - Advocated findings to stakeholders through written reports and presentations - Developed new curricula, training programs, and workflows that increased tutor satisfaction by 85% and student retention by 30%

• Adult Education Project Coordinator and Instructional Specialist · Orange County Community Housing Corporation/SteppingUP2014-11-01 – 2016-08-01

  - Submitted proposals and acquired funding to develop 15-week program offering ESL, Employment Preparation, Digital Literacy, and Financial Literacy classes for over 50 low-income adults in Southern California - Supervised, trained, and supported team of interns to deliver high quality instruction - Located and secured venues in 3 core communities to increase access to services for working families and families with limited transportation - Achieved over 95% attendance rate among over 80% of participants - Developed partnerships with several community organizations to build awareness, increase support, and share resources

• Instructor, Intensive English Program · California State University, Long Beach2015-10-01 – 2016-05-01

  Developed syllabi and delivered Academic English instruction for pre-matriculated ESL students. Courses Taught: Reading and Writing (Level 3); Grammar (Level 4)

Education

• Penn State UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Applied Linguistics
• University of Southern CaliforniaMaster's Degree, Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language
• Bowling Green State UniversityBachelor's Degree, Spanish Language and Literature

Similar talent on Pangea

Erika C.Experienced Trilingual UX/UI Designer Specializing in Product and UX ResearchMontreal, QCValerie M.Experienced UX Designer & ResearcherAkila S.UX Researcher | Customer Engagement SpecialistBethany B.UX Researcher | User Research, Insights, Creative Strategy