Sam Harvey-Butler
CURIOSITY
About
My name is Sam Harvey-Butler
I’m a user experience researcher with a background in design and psychology, working in digital since 2011. With a bachelor’s degree in design and a master’s in psychology, I bring a well-rounded perspective to UX, combining research and design expertise. Over the past six years, I’ve also taken on leadership roles, mentoring and managing teams to empower others in their work.
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I’ve worked both in-house and at agencies, shaping experiences across a wide range of industries, including retail, finance, engineering, ticketing, charity, and education. My experience spans various products and platforms, giving me a deep understanding of different user needs and business challenges.
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Above all, I believe in making a meaningful impact—improving experiences, designing for better outcomes, and working together to create positive change.
As a Researcher...
Due to NDAs, I cannot show visuals of my work from the last six and a half years. Instead, I’ll share how I approach challenges and contribute value to product teams. For case study examples, please contact me directly.
How I Approach Problems
I specialise in deconstructing complex problems and designing research plans that deliver actionable insights. My process starts with gaining a deep understanding of the business context, the product’s value proposition, and the experiences of end users. I work closely with stakeholders to align on goals and ask the right questions to identify opportunities and challenges. I have applied this approach across a range of contexts, including internal and external-facing platforms, mobile and desktop experiences, and both newly launched and well-established products.
Academic Rigor Meets Practical Flexibility
Recent completion of a MSc in Psychology gave me the opportunity to work at a high academic level. This training enables me to adapt my methods to the demands of a fast-paced industry without compromising on quality or transparency. Whether it’s exploring a hypothesis in-depth or executing lean research for rapid iteration, I ensure the research conducted is both thorough and actionable.
Design-Informed Recommendations
With previous experience in design, I bring an understanding of design best practices and principles to my research. This enables me to make actionable recommendations that align with both user needs and design feasibility. I am comfortable conducting design reviews, providing feedback to align designs with research insights, and bridging the gap between research and design teams.
Building Strong Relationships
As a successful mediator and relationship builder, I work closely with stakeholders and customers to align goals and foster collaboration. My ability to build trust ensures that research insights are valued and acted upon, while also driving alignment across cross-functional teams.
Mentorship and Leadership
I have experience managing and mentoring team members, with success stories that include mentees achieving promotions and securing their next roles. I am passionate about empowering others by providing guidance, fostering growth, and sharing my expertise to help them excel.
Proactive Problem Solving and Constructive Challenge
I thrive in ambiguous situations and am not afraid to challenge assumptions or decisions when needed. I firmly believe in pursuing what is best for the product, setting aside personal agendas or internal politics. This often leads to product improvements that ultimately benefit both users and the business.
User-Centric Ethos
At the core of my work is a commitment to understanding users’ needs, goals, and pain points. I advocate for users throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring their voices shape key decisions.
Pragmatic Research Integration
I believe research doesn’t have to be perfect to be impactful. I champion lightweight, iterative approaches that integrate research into product strategy and design, ensuring decisions are always grounded in some level of user insight.
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For case studies and information on project outcomes, please contact me directly.
Case Studies
Below are teasers for case studies that I can show on request.
Engineering Platform
Support Ticketing
