Perry Sweitzer

I'm a mixed methods researcher with a PhD from Duke University, where I spent years using ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and survey analysis to understand how American Buddhist meditators make meaning, build community, and relate to meditation practice in remarkably different ways. That work demanded deep curiosity, careful listening, and the ability to find patterns across a range of complex data sources. I've led solo research projects end-to-end and supported larger qualitative teams, always with the same goal: turning human complexity into clarity. I'm now bringing that same lens to UX, where I'm especially interested in human-AI interaction and understanding how users engage with generative AI tools in their professional workflows.

Case Studies

Research & Build

Modern AI coding tools have changed what's possible for researchers. Rather than handing off findings and waiting, researchers can now be part of rapid prototype iteration, closing the gap between gathering insights and building. I'm gaining proficiency in this workflow through a series of case studies, using tools like Claude Code and Codex to move from research question to working prototype quickly. For the fitness tracker case study below, for example, I used secondary research to identify a core user problem, then built a functional prototype using Codex, Next.js, and Vercel. I'm also exploring component libraries like shadcn/UI to iterate on design elements without starting from scratch each time. My case studies are both portfolio pieces and a learning process, a way of building fluency in a workflow UX researchers will increasingly need.

Reps

Reducing Workout Logging Friction

A UX case study on simplifying workout tracking with low-friction logging, in-flow AI guidance, and a cleaner interface.

Research Playbook

Methods & Frameworks

A growing collection of research methods I've used across academic and applied settings. Each playbook entry covers what the method is, when to use it, how to run it, and what to watch out for. My goal is to always let the research need dictate the method.

Field Visits / Participant Observation

Contextual Research in Real Environments

Go where your users are and watch them work. Field visits reveal what people actually do, not just what they say they do.

Interviews

Structured Conversations for Discovery

A structured but flexible conversation designed to surface the meaning behind behavior, not just the behavior itself.