Catarina is an experienced behavioral researcher with over a decade of expertise in both consulting and academic research. With a strong foundation in Psychology and Social Cognition, she holds a PhD in Information Management, equipping her with a unique interdisciplinary perspective on human behavior and decision-making.
Driven by a deep curiosity about how people think, act, and interact, Catarina’s work focuses on uncovering data-driven insights to support informed decision-making. Her ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between human behavior and strategic problem-solving, ensuring that research translates into meaningful, actionable outcomes for stakeholders.
Throughout her career, she has contributed to a wide range of projects spanning Environmental Psychology, Customer Experience, Consumer Decision-Making, and Technology Adoption, demonstrating her versatility and ability to apply behavioral science across diverse domains.
Currently, Catarina works in Strategic UX Research at OutSystems, where she supports the Product Team in refining and optimizing a no-code, GenAI-powered software development tool. Her role involves applying behavioral research methodologies to enhance user experience, ensuring that technology aligns with human needs and expectations.
Past Talks
Participatory research has long been a cornerstone of human-centered design, driving deep user engagement and delivering insights that shape meaningful, user-centric products. Yet, as the digital landscape rapidly evolves, the practice faces new challenges—especially in fast-paced, AI-driven environments where efficiency and scalability are prioritized.
This talk dives into the dynamic intersection of participatory research and artificial intelligence, presenting AI not as a threat but as a transformative enabler of sustainable, human-centered research. By bridging traditional ethnographic methods with cutting-edge AI-enhanced approaches, we’ll explore how participatory research can evolve without losing its core human essence.
Key discussion points include:
- The Value of Participatory Research: Unpacking the psychological and business benefits, grounded in theories like Social Identity and Self-Determination, to reinforce its relevance in today’s AI-driven world.
- Stakeholder Buy-In in a Fast-Paced World: Addressing the challenge of securing support for participatory research in environments dominated by rapid decision-making and ROI-driven priorities.
- AI Integration Strategies: Sharing actionable strategies for embedding AI into research workflows to enhance scalability while maintaining user authenticity and ethical considerations.
Looking ahead, we’ll reimagine the future of UX research in AI-powered environments. By thoughtfully leveraging AI, we can ensure participatory research remains a vital tool for humanizing software development and fostering meaningful user connections.
