Torie Nelson, MSc
Mixed Methods UX Researcher
London, UK • vnelson012@gmail.com
LinkedIn • Portfolio
HEADLINE
London-based senior user researcher with over 12 years of experience across public and private sectors.
I specialize in driving foundational research to shape product strategy and build consensus. My favorite parts of the job are empowering teams, evangelizing insights, and democratizing research.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TRUSTPILOT — London Mar 2025 - Present
Senior User Researcher
Spearheaded, drove, and landed Trustpilot’s first consumer benchmarking initiatives. Outputs included the first internal consumer segmentation and research-owned KPIs, which are used to shape product strategy at all levels of the consumer engine (e.g. consumer vision, quarterly roadmaps, experimentation goaling, and more).
Shaped and drove a consumer immersion program, which guides product managers and other decision-makers through the process of conducting exploratory interviews with end users. Strengthens consumer instincts to enable user-focused product innovation, and breaks down silos between B2B and B2C sides of the business.
Awards and honors: first researcher to be invited to present insights at the CEO’s standup; Community Award for driving the research team mission and vision creation; Resonance Award for excellence in research communication
MICROSOFT — Remote Aug 2024 - Oct 2024
Senior User Researcher
I executed foundational, qualitative research to inform business strategy for Viva Goals + Copilot, an AI-leveraging goal tracking product in the Viva Studios Microsoft 365 Suite.
Independently executed user journey mapping, including identifying facilitators, blockers, and Jobs to be Done (JTBD).
Socialized insights and actionable recommendations to help teams navigate the evolution of Copilot and other generative artificial intelligence (genAI) initiatives.
GOOGLE — Seattle, WA Nov 2022 - Mar 2024
User Experience Researcher
I planned and executed end-to-end qualitative research to create actionable insights to support design and engineering teams developing the iOS Google App.
Produced crisp insights on demanding timelines using diary studies, interviews, and lit reviews.
Presented results to directors and other senior leadership to unblock development and support strategy.
META — Seattle, WA Oct 2021 - Oct 2022
UX Researcher
I simultaneously supported multiple Facebook Groups design and engineering teams through planning and executing foundational research and design testing.
Honed research questions and mapped them to key People Problems and JTBD.
Independently executed research, including interviews, usability testing, focus groups, heuristic evaluations, literature reviews, and more.
Garnered stakeholder buy-in using storytelling and clear communication to implement recommendations, and to integrate research as a core role within the development process.
AVALARA — Seattle, WA Apr 2021 - Oct 2021
UX Researcher
I developed an end-to-end research program to support a design team creating an online community for a family of B2B and B2C SaaS sales tax automation products.
Generated stakeholder buy-in for the research plan using storytelling via storyboarding, subject matter expert interviews, and wireframing.
PICO PORTAL — Remote Aug 2020 - Apr 2021
User Researcher Consultant
PICO Portal is a start-up harnessing a machine learning, natural language processing model to optimize citation screening for researchers. My role was versatile, and included research, testing, copywriting, marketing, and user support.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — Minneapolis, MN Feb 2015 - Sep 2021
Research Fellow
I ran rigorous healthcare research and wrote actionable insights to inform medical guidelines and recommendations, and to advocate for healthcare users.
Synthesized evidence by conducting systematic literature reviews. Analyzed medical outcomes data using qualitative narrative writing and quantitative meta-analysis.
Innovated data visualization methods and user-centered research communication tools.
Hired, managed, and trained junior project staff.
Spearheaded our website redesign using UX design processes.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE EXCELLENCE (NICE) — London, UK May 2014 - Jun 2014
Systematic Review Research Intern
Conducted systematic literature reviews in the Centre for Public Health. Reviewed tuberculosis service delivery to update UK public health and clinical guidelines.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON — London, UK Sep 2013 - Jun 2014
Researcher Interviewer
Conducted telephone interviews for the Start2quit Study. Collected data on the results of an intervention in the NHS Smoking Cessation Services.
Successfully revised the research protocol to increase participation.
EDUCATION
GENERAL ASSEMBLY Seattle, WA
Bootcamp, UX Design 2020
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON London, UK
Master of Science, Health Psychology 2013 - 2014
LUTHER COLLEGE Decorah, IA
Bachelor or Arts, Biology and Psychology 2009 - 2013
METHODS AND TOOLS
Methods: card sorting, competitive analysis, codesign, concept testing, data visualization, diary studies, focus groups, heuristic evaluations, in-depth interviews, JTBD, literature review, meta-analysis, segmentation, storyboarding, surveys, unmoderated research, usability testing, user journey mapping
Software and tools: Amplitude, Claude, Conjointly, Dovetail, Dscout, Excel, FigJam, Figma, Gemini, Google Workplace, Hotjar, Lucid, Microsoft 365 Suite, Miro, Origami, Python, Qualtrics, Respondent.io, SAS, Sketch, SPSS, User Interviews, UserTesting