Dr. Jennifer Bowie🇺🇸

About Dr. Jennifer Bowie

Head of Research, Mentor, Consultant, AI for UXR expert, and SME at Lighthouse UX Insights

I’m excited to mentor on ADPList because its mission, making mentorship accessible, inclusive, and community-driven, closely mirrors how I’ve approached mentoring throughout my academic and industry career. I believe high-quality mentorship shouldn’t be gated, and ADPList creates space for honest guidance, real perspective, and support when it matters most.

I’m a senior UX Research leader who has built and scaled research teams and practices from the ground up in complex product organizations. Mentorship has been one of the most meaningful parts of my work, supporting researchers and leaders as they navigate growth, influence, and career decisions. I aim to meet people where they are, offer candid and thoughtful guidance, and help them move forward with clarity, confidence, and intention.

Expertise

Sessions with Dr. Jennifer Bowie

• Mentorship Session (30 min): Mentorship session
• Build a Career Roadmap (30 min): Take a holistic approach to your career with this mentorship series. Learn to build a career roadmap that aligns with your goals and aspirations. From identifying skill gaps to exploring potential career paths, we'll provide insights to support your long-term success. Our mentorship will help you make informed decisions and set a solid foundation for a fulfilling career journey.
• Building UXR teams from 0-1-scale (44 min): What it takes to build, legitimize, and scale UX Research in real organizations Building a UX Research function from scratch is very different from joining an established team. It requires not just research excellence, but leadership, influence, and operational strategy. In these recurring mentoring sessions, we’ll explore what it actually takes to build UX Research teams from zero, establish credibility at one, and thoughtfully scale research in complex product organizations. This session is designed for researchers and managers who: - Are the first or only researcher at their company - Are transitioning from IC → Manager or Manager → Director - Want to scale research without losing rigor, trust, or impact - Need to influence skeptical stakeholders and executives We’ll discuss real-world tradeoffs, common pitfalls, and proven strategies for growing research in environments where it’s not yet fully understood or embedded. You’ll leave with: - A clear mental model for 0→1→scale research maturity - Practical strategies for hiring, prioritization, and operations - Language you can use to advocate for research with leadership - A stronger leadership mindset for building sustainable research teams
• Women in Tech: Navigating Power, Influence, and Ca (60 min): Women in Tech: Navigating Power, Influence, and Career Growth A candid mentoring conversation about visibility, leadership, and staying whole in tech Women in tech often receive conflicting messages: be confident but not intimidating, advocate for yourself but don’t be “difficult,” lead boldly but stay likable. This session creates space to talk honestly about what it takes to grow, lead, and thrive in tech environments that weren’t designed with us in mind. In this mentoring session, we’ll explore: * How power and influence actually work in tech organizations * Common career patterns and pitfalls for women (especially in senior roles) * Navigating visibility, credibility, and being heard * Managing burnout, boundaries, and emotional labor * Making career decisions that align with your values, not just external expectations This is a reflective, discussion-driven session grounded in real experience, not platitudes. Come with questions, scenarios, or simply curiosity. Who this is for: Women at any stage of their tech career who want a more honest conversation about growth, leadership, and sustainability.
• Choosing the Right UXR Method (60 min): Not every problem needs the same research approach. This session focuses on how to choose the right method based on the decision you’re trying to inform—not habit, pressure, or stakeholder preference. We’ll discuss: * Mapping research methods to product and business decisions * Common misuses of popular methods * Tradeoffs between speed, depth, and confidence * How to push back when the wrong method is requested Ideal for researchers who want to strengthen their strategic judgment.
• How to break into UX Research (60 min): Transitioning into UX Research can feel opaque, especially if you’re coming from academia, design, customer support, content, or another adjacent role. In this session, I’ll share real-world, practical guidance for breaking into UX Research based on years in the industry, hiring for UXR & UX teams, and experience mentoring academics, designers, and early-career researchers into UXR roles. Plus, I moved from academia to industry myself, so I can share my real-world experience. We’ll cover: * What hiring managers actually look for in entry- and mid-level UXR candidates * How to translate academic, design, or support experience into UXR-ready signals * Common mistakes career switchers make — and how to avoid them * How to build experience without already having a UXR job * Portfolio, resume, and interview strategies that work in today’s market This session is ideal for people who want clear next steps, honest feedback, and a realistic understanding of the UX Research hiring landscape.

What mentees say

“I had an exceptional mentoring session with Dr. Jennifer Bowie! She is far from a traditional or generic lecturer; her depth of UX knowledge and research expertise is truly outstanding. She addressed every single question I had regarding my PORTFOLIO, CV, and CAREER trajectory with thoughtful, actionable, and deep insights.”

“I am incredibly grateful for my session with Jennifer. Her expertise in resume crafting provided me with tailored insights that truly exceeded my expectations. Her communication was amazing. I highly recommend booking a session with Jennifer if you seek a professional mentor.”

“Dr. Bowie was incredibly approachable and friendly. She gave me super actionable and helpful feedback on my case study presentation that I was able to take straight into my interview today - it really helped to boost my confidence.”