Why this reading room exists.

A broader view of experience

Experience design spans healthcare, public services, wearables, AI, robotics, immersive environments, digital and fine arts, and the written word. The Observatory connects these areas with research, ethics and practice, helping readers see relationships across sectors and disciplines.

This breadth is deliberate. It reflects the approach Liz brings to the MA User Experience Design she leads: understanding experience in its cultural, social, physical and technological contexts, alongside the craft of interface design.

Our scope also opens towards human and sentient experience: questions about whose experiences count, how design affects sentient beings, and how emerging technologies change our relationships with one another and the wider world. This is a direction for critical enquiry, with claims about sentience subject to careful scrutiny.

Discover the UX sectors →

Liz Coulter-Smith, MFA

Liz is a digital media artist, researcher and educator, and leads the MA User Experience Design at Falmouth University (opens an external website). Her creative practice examines AI-generated imagery and computational creativity. She earned her BFA and MFA in the United States.

Evidence we can examine

Too much design advice circulates without clear supporting evidence. This resource brings together research, substantial reports and carefully selected professional perspectives, aiming for high academic and industry standards. Original sources, methods and limitations remain visible.

We prioritise empirical research and credible journals, distinguish original studies from commentary, and label background readings and abstract-only reviews. Practitioner commentary is limited to 20% of the reading collection. Peer review is valuable, but it does not remove the need to question a study’s methods or conclusions.

A place to begin—and develop

It also responds to a question students frequently ask: where should I begin? Practical exercises support critical thinking, clear writing and the development of thoughtful portfolio work. Experienced practitioners can use the same material to examine assumptions and develop their practice.

Explore the beginner resources, prepare for what’s next, or learn about sharing research at conferences.

Preparing for a changing field

As technologies and employment patterns change, we offer evidence-informed career preparation. We examine both opportunities and difficulties, helping readers assess claims about the field’s future and identify capabilities they can develop now.

The archive provides a growing map of this changing landscape: a record of developments, debates and evidence that readers can revisit over time.

Visit the archive →

Support independent curation

We welcome conversations about sponsorship that helps sustain this resource. Any sponsorship will be clearly labelled and kept separate from editorial selection. Payment will not buy inclusion in the reading collection or influence evidence assessments. Contact Liz to discuss a suitable partnership.