Sam Harvey-Butler: An introduction

"If I had an hour to solve a problem, I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions."

— Albert Einstein (attributed)

About Me as a Researcher

This is not your conventional portfolio page - it is an area about me as a researcher and professional. Due to NDAs, I cannot show visuals of my work from the last six and a half years. Instead, I’ll share how I approach challenges and contribute value to product teams.

Me (Sam), sat at a desk mapping out findings and recommendations from a heuristic evaluation

How I Approach Problems

I specialise in deconstructing complex problems and designing research plans that deliver actionable insights. My process starts with gaining a deep understanding of the business context, the product’s value proposition, and the experiences of end users. I work closely with stakeholders to align on goals and ask the right questions to identify opportunities and challenges. I have applied this approach across a range of contexts, including internal and external-facing platforms, mobile and desktop experiences, and both newly launched and well-established products.

Academic Rigor Meets Practical Flexibility

My recent completion of a MSc in Psychology gave me the opportunity to work at a high academic level. This training enables me to adapt my methods to the demands of a fast-paced industry without compromising on quality or transparency. Whether it’s exploring a hypothesis in-depth or executing lean research for rapid iteration, I ensure the research conducted is both thorough and actionable.

Design-Informed Recommendations

With previous experience in design, I bring an understanding of design best practices and principles to my research. This enables me to make actionable recommendations that align with both user needs and design feasibility. I am comfortable conducting design reviews, providing feedback to align designs with research insights, and bridging the gap between research and design teams.

Building Strong Relationships

Sticky notes arranged on a table for an affinity mapping session, highlighting ideas and concepts for collaboration and organization.

As a successful mediator and relationship builder, I work closely with stakeholders and customers to align goals and foster collaboration. My ability to build trust ensures that research insights are valued and acted upon, while also driving alignment across cross-functional teams.

Mentorship and Leadership

I have experience managing and mentoring team members, with success stories that include mentees achieving promotions and securing their next roles. I am passionate about empowering others by providing guidance, fostering growth, and sharing my expertise to help them excel.

Proactive Problem Solving and Constructive Challenge

I thrive in ambiguous situations and am not afraid to challenge assumptions or decisions when needed. I firmly believe in pursuing what is best for the product, setting aside personal agendas or internal politics. This often leads to product improvements that ultimately benefit both users and the business.

User-Centric Ethos

At the core of my work is a commitment to understanding users’ needs, goals, and pain points. I advocate for users throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring their voices shape key decisions.

Pragmatic Research Integration

I believe research doesn’t have to be perfect to be impactful. I champion lightweight, iterative approaches that integrate research into product strategy and design, ensuring decisions are always grounded in some level of user insight.

For further examples and case studies, please get in contact.