Join NUX Leeds for our final event of 2026: a panel discussion bringing together experienced design experts to reflect on the biggest themes

NUX Leeds: UX Year in Review 2026 – What’s Next?

Join NUX Leeds for our final event of 2026: a panel discussion bringing together experienced design leaders to reflect on the biggest themes, challenges and shifts shaping User-Centred Design - and explore what lies ahead in 2027.

From AI’s growing influence on design and research to accessibility, behavioural science and strategic thinking, we’ll discuss how the industry is evolving, what we’ve learned this year and what these changes mean for the future of UX.

With perspectives spanning consultancy, retail, financial services, enterprise technology and service design, expect an honest, thought-provoking conversation about the realities of working in design and the opportunities ahead.

Have a burning question? Submit it through our Eventbrite page to help shape the discussion. Whether you’re curious about AI, career development, design leadership or the future of our profession, we want to hear from you!

What to Expect

2026 in Review: Explore the biggest developments, challenges and lessons across UX, User Research, Content Design, Service Design and technology.

Industry Perspectives: Hear how design leaders are navigating AI, organisational change, business priorities and the evolving role of User-Centred Design.

Live Panel Discussion & Q&A: Put your questions to our panellists and join the conversation about the issues that matter to our community.

Looking Ahead to 2027: Explore emerging trends, future opportunities and the skills designers may need to thrive in a changing industry.

What Have We Explored Across NUX Leeds in 2026?

Throughout the year, NUX Leeds has explored a diverse range of topics reflecting the changing landscape of design, research and technology.

These themes will help inform our year-in-review discussion:

AI & the Future of Design and Research: How AI is transforming discovery, research methods and workflows.

Research, Ethics & Trust: Balancing efficiency with rigour, empathy and responsible research.

Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Moving beyond compliance to create more inclusive experiences.

Cognitive Science & Behavioural Design: Understanding human behaviour to improve experiences and business outcomes.

Content Design in an AI-Driven World: Creating clear, accessible content for people and emerging technologies.

Design Leadership & Strategy: Demonstrating design’s value and influencing business decisions.

Service Design & Systems Thinking: Connecting touchpoints, teams, and services to improve end-to-end experiences.

Design Practices & Collaboration: Building effective teams and strengthening cross-functional relationships.

Co-Design & Experiential Learning: Using collaborative approaches to tackle challenges and learn from one another.

Looking Ahead: What Could 2027 Bring?

As we look towards 2027, we’ll explore some of the biggest questions facing our profession:

How do we preserve human judgement as AI becomes more capable?

How can we demonstrate the value of design and research beyond delivery metrics?

What skills will designers need to remain effective and relevant?

How can we create more accessible, ethical and joined-up experiences?

How can design teams influence strategy and deliver meaningful customer and business outcomes?

Join us to challenge assumptions, exchange perspectives and consider the future we want to shape as a design community.

Meet Our Panellists

Our panel brings together experienced practitioners and leaders with perspectives spanning design, research, consultancy, retail, financial services and enterprise technology.

Paul Davis | UX Designer & Leader

Paul has over 25 years of experience across interaction design, user research and product strategy. Having worked at Genio, Certinia and Suprpass Assessment, he has designed digital products across education technology and enterprise software while building teams and establishing effective design practices.

Following nine years at Genio, Paul is exploring opportunities combining hands-on design with mentoring. He is passionate about developing design talent through supporting junior designers, work experience placements and workshops at schools and universities.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldavisuk/)

Ady Borkala | Lead Service Designer, Lloyds Banking Group

Ady brings 23 years of experience at Lloyds Banking Group. Originally a UX Designer, he now helps teams understand, manage and improve end-to-end customer experiences, championing journey management practices and the adoption of TheyDo across the Group.

Having applied these approaches across pensions, investments and credit cards, Ady is passionate about embedding service design into everyday decision-making, making research evidence more visible and measuring design impact. His current interests include responsible research

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