ashlee edwards, ph.d.

RESEARCH

Hi! I’m Ashlee, Head of Consumer Product Research at Reddit.

I currently lead teams of researchers in the consumer products, international, and growth spaces. As a research manager, I focus on crafting a team vision, strategy, and structure that supports key business goals, and supporting the personal and professional development of my team.

As an IC, I was a mixed-methods researcher and informed product strategy by combining behavioral metrics and quantitative and qualitative data to create a complete picture of user behavior. To do this, I designed studies using a variety of tools such as interviews, focus groups, surveys and log data to produce improvements in product design and implementation.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, lifting weights, and going on long walks (that’s where I do my best thinking). I’m currently reading The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt, and riding my Peloton!

product strategy

I partner closely with stakeholders to lead product strategy. In previous roles, I’ve led strategic research in competitive markets that facilitated company-wide product improvements, including increasing engagement metrics, as well as crafted tailored product strategy for key business areas, including Youth, Strategic and Emerging Markets, and Acquisition.

writing, SPEAKING, & coaching

In addition to my product work, I write and speak around the world about evangelizing user research. I recently gave an interview to UX.folio on my research journey, creative shareouts, and why you should consider a research career even if you’re in another field! I’ve given several talks on product research, including a keynote at CHIIR 2021 on creating a seamless localized product experience, and the keynote at ECIR 2020’s Industry Day on merging academic and product research. I’ve also guest lectured frequently at UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Information Science (SILS) for the past 2 years, giving talks on transitioning from academia to industry, building user empathy, and qualitative and quantitative methods.

I’ve written extensively about user experience strategy, including how to share research creatively and measure user engagement, and my research has been highlighted in publications including Bloomberg News. My past work has also covered topics including online disclosure of sensitive information, using physiological signals to predict user emotional state, and reducing workload in stressful interactions.

I specialize in mentoring and coaching UX researchers looking to make the transition from academia to product research. Feel free to get in touch with me if you’d like to chat.