Max Edelmann

Hello! I'm currently a Senior UX Researcher at Expedia with over 6 years of experience in user research and human-factors research. I moved to Seattle from New York to pursue my Master’s Degree at the University of Washington in Human-Centered Design and Engineering, which I obtained in 2021.

During my time at Expedia, I was handpicked to join an experimental horizontal research group in an agile environment as a founding member. Our team supported each major pillar of research at Expedia Group, including Flights, Trips, Expedia Partner Services, and Insurtech, assisting research teams if they lacked the manpower or resources to conduct the optimal level of research. Due to the flexibility required to jump into unknown domains for each research project, I have developed a versatile, mixed-method approach to research, with deliverables in both qualitative and quantitative research at all stages of the user-centered design process. Our team saved Expedia Group over 400,000 dollars in less than a year by reducing the need for outsourcing via external research vendors.

Most of my professional expertise has centered around Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models and their integration into customer-facing designs. At Expedia, I performed the first generative research about large language models, particularly ChatGPT and its role in the travel planning process. After talking directly to customers about their experience using ChatGPT in travel planning, I informed Expedia how to best integrate artificial intelligence into the current app and desktop live sites. Due to this foundational research, Expedia recently launched a ChatGPT-integrated virtual assistant into their platforms. At Microsoft, I worked extensively with design teams on best delivering AI data disclosure policy for features like Cortana and the Newsfeed. I also created several data repositories that foster ethical artificial intelligence standards among designers, researchers, and engineers. I also specialize in utilizing user videos to tell a story to stakeholders on how to improve their product best, and have conducted several lectures within research teams on video editing and storytelling. I've worked on several independent passion projects in my spare time, including a conceptual voice assistant plugin for users with speech disorders and making public transit a more attractive option to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on personal vehicles.

A Little More About Me

Beyond my academic endeavors and research experience, I am an individual with many diverse interests that have only intensified my love of research and understanding of the way that others think and connect. I am a lifelong musician with years of experience in performance, self-promotion, business management, and team leadership, as well as a certified personal trainer. I became certified as a personal trainer during my undergraduate studies to pay for tuition and other expenses, but I soon found that I had gained a unique insight into Psychology that I may not have gained through my academic studies. By working with individual clients afflicted by poor health or disabilities for over two years, I developed a deep personal investment in their growth and long-term happiness. In fact, my interest in usability research was initially spurred through working with a client with severe nerve damage and trying to design a program that could help her minimize pain, while also keeping in mind her physical limitations. The experience was incredibly rewarding and caused me to think beyond the sometimes impersonal calculus of academic research. Empathy, compassion, and trust are essential to any research, and I hope by applying the technical skills gained through my studies and the unique personal experience gained through music and health, I can contribute to the UX community in a powerful and innovative way!

Research Experience

User Experience Research

Senior UX Researcher - Adaptive Research Team, Expedia

UX Research Generalist - Windows Experience User Research, Microsoft

UX Researcher - Atlas - Building H, HCDE Capstone Project, University of Washington

UX Researcher - Parse, Accessibility in Design Project Group, University of Washington

UX Research Lead - Samsung Visual Voicemail Project Group, University of Washington

UX Research & Prototyping - Codex Project Group, University of Washington

Data Analyst - VizHealth Project Group, University of Washington

Psychology Research Background

Senior Researcher, ’The Spatial Reference Frame of Imagined Motion’, Purchase College

Researcher, ‘Weaknesses and Improvements of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking’, Purchase College

Research Assistant, ‘Autonomic Habituation During Very Brief Exposure to Spiders, Purchase College

Teaching Assistant, ‘Research Methods’, Psychology Department at Purchase College

Education

Master of Science - Human-Centered Design and Engineering, The University of Washington 2021

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Purchase College 2017

Awards

2021 Graduate Award for Excellence in Technology, summa cum laude, Gloria Roth Award for Excellence in Science, Nancy Jo Abeles Merit Scholarship

AddItional Experience

Head Trainer, LA Fitness - Port Chester, 2015-2017

Vocalist/Guitarist, Imperial Crypt, 2010 to Present