UX Research Conference 2025
About the congress
The UX Research Conference 2025 brought together a diverse group of researchers, designers and other UX professionals from the Netherlands and abroad in Leiden to explore the latest developments in the field of user experience. The programme consisted of lectures, workshops and networking sessions that offered participants not only substantive depth, but also the opportunity to exchange knowledge and make new connections within the field. Organiser Debbie Slijpen described the congress as ‘the connector of experts’ - a place where professionals connect with each other in an approachable and personal way. That open and accessible atmosphere made this edition particularly valuable, according to her.
Leiden as a congress city
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To organise the UXinsight Festival 2025, Debbie Slijpen and her colleague deliberately chose Leiden because of its international appeal, scale of the city and accessibility. Although she herself was unfamiliar with the city as a conference location, Leiden turned out to be a surprisingly good fit for the event's needs. The combination of historical charm and practical facilities made it an accessible and attractive venue for participants from home and abroad. Moreover, the fact that the city is more compact worked in favour of interaction and meeting between participants.
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The conference experience was enhanced by practical facilities and accessible information, something that was particularly valuable for Debbie Slijpen as organiser. In particular, the availability of English-language materials and visual aids made it easier to prepare participants properly and present the city. Leiden's compact nature also played a part: participants could easily move between venues and had space to connect and exchange outside the programme. According to Debbie, this gave the conference an open and personal atmosphere, where meeting each other was central.
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The Stadsgehoorzaal proved to be a fitting and atmospheric venue for the UX Research Conference 2025. Debbie Slijpen emphasised how pleasant it was to use a historic building that was at the same time professionally equipped for a modern conference. The various halls offered enough space for both plenary sessions and parallel programme sections, and the acoustics and appearance of the building contributed to an inspiring setting. Its central location also made it easy for participants to explore the city during break times, which added to the dynamics of the congress.
Reflection & advice
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Organisation tips
According to Debbie Slijpen, clear preparation is essential to maintain calm and overview in the run-up to a conference. She advises to start collecting visual material and English-language information on time, so that, as an organiser, you can communicate professionally and clearly to participants. She also stresses the importance of paying attention to the experience outside the substantive programme: participants appreciate it when there is room to explore the city and make informal contact. According to Debbie, personal connection and transparent communication are not only supportive, but the basis for building a meaningful and well-organised event.
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Process & approach
Debbie Slijpen stresses the importance of a clear and personal approach to the organisational process from the start. She advocates having one fixed point of contact and a short consultation moment at the beginning of the process, so that expectations and needs can be properly coordinated. This creates mutual understanding about what is possible and where support is needed. Such coordination makes organising more efficient and prevents ambiguities at a later stage.