In this Anthro to UX podcast episode, Joseph Galanek speaks with Matt Artz about his UX journey. The conversation covers Joe's journey from being inspired by cultural experiences when traveling to pursuing degrees in anthropology and public health. He shares his challenges in finding a job in anthropology departments due to specific research interests and how he discovered opportunities in consulting agencies that value qualitative and quantitative research. The discussion also explores Joe's work leading client engagements as a UX Strategy Manager at Answerlab and his experience mentoring anthropologists transitioning into business.
About Joseph Galanek
Joseph Galanek is an accomplished user experience researcher and UXR strategist with over 15 years of experience in academia and industry. As the UX Strategy Manager at AnswerLab, he collaborates with ecommerce leaders, designing and implementing customized research that meets partners' objectives and business goals. Joseph's expertise includes qualitative and mixed methods research, scoping, and client engagement.

With a strong academic background, including a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and an MPH from Case Western Reserve University, Joseph has held research roles at various organizations such as HireWisdom, EDUCAUSE, and ICF. He has contributed to impactful projects, including CDC health campaigns and national HIV prevention initiatives, and is known for balancing methodological rigor with pragmatic strategies.
Key Moments


00:02:00 - Reflections on a Career in Anthropology




00:06:36 - Exploring Career Opportunities in Research Consultancies




00:08:12 - Applying Qualitative Research Skills in an Applied Environment




00:14:17 - Collaborative Efforts and Demonstrating Value in Anthropology Research




00:16:00 - Moving from Academia to Business: Advice for Anthropologists




00:19:41 - Making a Good First Impression on LinkedIn




00:21:19 - Analysis of Research Objectives and Actionable Recommendations for Development Teams




00:22:48 -Exploring Trends in Cost-Effective UX Research







Recommended Links

Joseph Galanek on LinkedIn
Joseph Galanek on Google Scholar

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