Dr. Madeline E. Smith is a Lead UX Researcher at Cisco, where she leads research initiatives for a high-priority cross-department project focused on improving the licensing experience for Cisco’s customers, partners, and employees.
She excels in stakeholder management and enjoys collaborating with product and development teams. Madeline is passionate about conducting exploratory research to uncover foundational user needs and has a proven track record of influencing product roadmaps.
With a Ph.D. in Technology & Social Behavior, she brings over a decade of academic experience from Northwestern, Cornell, and Colgate Universities. Her research has been published in prestigious academic venues, including CHI and CSCW. Since transitioning to industry UX research in 2021, Madeline applies her rigorous research training to tackle real-world challenges, driving innovation and enhancing user experiences at scale.
Additionally, she leverages her teaching experience to craft effective research presentations, speak at industry events, and mentor junior researchers.
Upcoming Talks
UXDX Community: Luck, Trust & Design: Building Resilient Teams & Secure Interfaces 2025
29 April 2025
Are you prepared for the unexpected? What if a sudden opportunity took you away from your work tomorrow—could your team seamlessly continue your projects?
Join Madeline to learn how to future-proof your research initiatives and prepare your team for any situation. She will share her personal journey of an unplanned parental leave when she won the adoption lottery, and how she set her team up to successfully continue her research in her unexpected absence.
You’ll leave this talk with a research plan framework and practical examples to help you effectively document your work, ensuring continuity and boosting team efficiency.