2nd Edition of India’s First User Research Conference is here, happening on 6–7 February 2026.

Grab your pass now

What began as a spark has grown into a movement bringing together curious minds who believe in the power of research to drive meaningful change. In 2026, we come together to RISE — to embrace change, push boundaries, and amplify the impact of user research across industries.

This is our moment to learn, lead, and RISE together.

Speakers

IGNITE 2026 brings together a diverse lineup of voices shaping the practice of user research in India. From seasoned leaders and practitioners to emerging voices in industry and academia, our speakers represent the perspectives driving research forward today.

Arvind Lodaya

Strategy & Systems Innovation Expert

Anjali Kelkar

Founder & Director, Studio for Design Research

Ripul Kumar

Sr. Director, UX Design, Oracle

Shipra Bhutada

Founder, Curator at IGNITE & Founder, Director User Research at UCC

Shrikant Deo

Director - Experience Design, Oracle

Dr Taapsi Ramchandani

Co-founder & CEO, Poocho

Rajib Ghosh

Strategic Design & Innovation Consultant

Aunindra Kumar Sinha

UX Design Manager, Indeed

Rahul Mullick

UX Researcher, Google

Diksha Gautam

UX Researcher, Angel One

Dr. Vinita Choudari

Managing Director, Panoramix Market Research

Manan Pahwa

User Researcher, Tata Digital

Charvi Dhiraj Arya

UX Designer, Indeed

Sparsh Verma

UX Researcher, Gameberry Labs

Isha Hannah Joseph

UX Researcher, Gameberry Labs

Dr Mayank Loonker

Senior User Researcher, UCC

Adesh Bhansali

Head of Design & Research at Loco & Founder at Duckture

Mayank Raj

Co-Founder, Centre For Social Design, India

Usri Nirjhar Ganguly

Senior UX Researcher, ex-Paypal

Anushi Singh Thakur

Core UX Researcher, Hindustan Times, Digital Streams

Parag Amodkar

Eye tracking Expert and Proprietor, Tiden Technologies

Nabila Ahmed

User Researcher, UCC

Your next breakthrough might be one conversation away. Claim your spot before the passes are gone.

Grab your pass now

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Power Plus Pass

₹10,500

(exclusive of taxes)
Your pass includes access to the main-stage sessions, panel discussions, and networking breaks throughout the day — as well as the social networking dinner in the evening.

*For social evening, entry is restricted to attendees aged 21 and above.

•⁠ ⁠Enjoy 15% Early Bird savings from Dec 1–15 with code IGNITE15.
•⁠ ⁠For group discounts, reach out to us at [email protected]

Power Pass

₹9,000

(exclusive of taxes)
Your pass includes access to all main-stage sessions, panel discussions, and networking breaks throughout the day.

•⁠ ⁠Enjoy 15% Early Bird savings from Dec 1–15 with code IGNITE15.
•⁠ ⁠For group discounts, reach out to us at [email protected]

Student Pass

₹5,000

(exclusive of taxes)
Your pass includes access to all main-stage sessions, panel discussions, and networking breaks throughout the day.

*Students must carry a valid student ID for verification.
Social Evening Pass

₹3,000

(exclusive of taxes)
Your pass includes access to the IGNITE Social Evening at Red Rhino from 7:00 PM onwards, with conversations over food, cocktails, and networking with speakers and peers.

*For social evening, entry is restricted to attendees aged 21 and above.
Workshop Pass

₹3,500

(exclusive of taxes)

Choose from immersive workshops, curated and led by industry experts.

  1. From Abstract Data to Tangible Insights using LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
  2. The Behavioural UX Toolkit – Quantifying the Unspoken With Neuroscience
  3. Ask Right and Listen Deep
  4. Making User Empathy Everyone’s Job: From Research Silos to Research Culture
  5. If No One Reads It, Did You Really Research? Amplify Research in your Organization
  6. Visualizing Conversations: Researchers can have fun too!
  7. Signals to Foresights to Actions – Co-creating the future of research
Note: Each pass provides access to one workshop only.Choose from immersive workshops, curated and led by industry experts.
IGNITE 2025 was a privilege, a chance to soak in everything user research, connect with old friends, make new ones, and learn from brilliant minds shaping the future. From accelerators nurturing young talent to conversations about policy-making and social innovation, IGNITE showcased how wide the impact of user research can be.
Prachi SakhardandePrincipal Manager, Design & Research at Microsoft l Speaker, IGNITE 2025
IGNITE was where the wisdom of industry veterans met the curiosity of fresh minds. The conversations went far beyond research-touching on business impact, unlearning, kindness, and the power of curiosity.
Chinmay PaloLead UX Researcher at Porter
At IGNITE 2025, a poll asked if there’s still a gap between academia and industry. For me, the answer was clear: with collaboration and proactive efforts, that gap can be bridged and I see it happening every day.
Dr. Akanksha GhaiAssociate Professor at Chitkara University
IGNITE gave me practical strategies to introduce user research in low-maturity orgs, new vocabulary to connect with business, and a bigger picture of how UX conversations are evolving in India. Two weeks later, I was already applying learnings from IGNITE in my work. That’s the real value of this conference.
Preeti SinghSenior UX Designer & Researcher at Coschool
IGNITE 2025 gave me a true mindset shift. The hands-on workshops, from eye-tracking experiments to learning how trust drives honest insights, reminded me that the best research isn’t flashy, it’s deeply human. I’m still revisiting my notes months later.
Ayush JainUX Research Intern at Olyv
The framework I learned at IGNITE completely changed how I think about insights. It showed me how raw data evolves into connected findings and clear insights, turning ‘isn’t this obvious?’ into real ‘aha!’ moments.
Sumanya KidambiUX Designer at Techolution
My session on the Art & Science of UX was planned for 2 hours but turned into 4 hours of pure engagement, a true testament to the energy IGNITE brings to the research community.
Soumya SahuSenior UX Researcher at YouTube l Workshop Facilitator, IGNITE 2025
Attending IGNITE 2025 was an absolute privilege! The energy, the conversations, and the insightful discussions made it an unforgettable experience. From engaging presentations and thought-provoking panels to demos of promising UX research tools, the day was packed with learning and inspiration. Huge kudos to the organizers for putting together such a stellar event!
Harini KarthikHead of UX Research at IBM Security Software l Panel Member, IGNITE 2025

Conference Schedule

IGNITE – returns stronger this year, bringing the community together once again for two days of thought-provoking talks, interactive sessions, and meaningful exchanges. Whether you’re here to learn, share, or connect, the energy and inspiration will keep flowing long after the sessions end.

Day One
6th Feb 2026
Day Two
7th Feb 2026
08:30 AM onwards
Registration
Registration
09:30 – 09:45 AM
Welcome Note
Welcome note
Shipra Bhutada

Founder, Curator at IGNITE & Founder, Director User Research at UCC

09:45 - 10:15 AM
Key Talks
Design Research to enable Citizen-Centric Governance Services & Systems
Arvind Lodaya

Strategy & Systems Innovation Expert

10:15 - 10:45 AM
Key Talks
Accelerating Insights: How AI is Transforming the User Research Workflow
Frame 20B
Shrikant Deo

Director - Experience Design, Oracle

10:45 - 10:55 AM
Lightning Talks
UX/UI Efficacy Studies with Eye-Tracking
Frame 17B
Vinita Choudari

Managing Director, Panoramix Market Research

10:55 - 11:25 AM
Tea Break
11:30 - 12:00 PM
Key Talks
A pinch of narrative and spoonfuls of gameplay - measuring narrative immersion in Free to Play games
Sparsh Verma

UX Researcher, Gameberry Labs

Isha Joseph

UX Researcher, Gameberry Labs

12:00 - 12:30 PM
Key Talks
The Qual-Quant Paradox: Hype, Truth, and the Questions that Change Everything
Usri Nirjhar Ganguly

Senior UX Researcher, ex-Paypal

12:30 - 12:40 PM
Lightning Talks
Designing with Empathy: Turning Urban Research into Action

This talk explores how empathy and user research can make urban planning more equitable and effective.

Mayank Raj

Co-Founder, Centre For Social Design, India

12:45 - 02:00 PM
Lunch Break
02:00 - 02:15 PM
Energizer Session​
02:15 - 02:45 PM
Key Talks
The Next Experience: Evolving Research Beyond the 'User'

Explores how AI, data, and emerging disciplines are reshaping user research — challenging the very definition of “UXR” and its evolving identity.

Rahul Mullick

UX Researcher, Google

02:45 - 02:50 PM
Ignite Talk
The Research Rebellion
Anushi Singh Thakur

Core UX Researcher, Hindustan Times, Digital Streams

02:50 - 03:00 PM
Lightning Talk
Research at the Edges
Manan Pahwa

User Researcher, Tata Digital

03:00 - 03:45 PM
Oops & Aha!
Hear (and share) real, unforgettable field stories, live!
🫵

03:45 - 04:30 PM
Tea Break
04:30 - 05:30 PM
Panel Discussion
RISE with Emerging Tech: Research in the Age of AI and Automation

Our panel for this session is being thoughtfully curated. Stay tuned — we’ll reveal the panelists shortly.

05:30 - 06:00 PM
Closing Jam: RISE Together
07:00 PM onwards
Social evening at Red Rhino - Craft Brewery and Inspired Kitchen
10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Workshop
⁠From Abstract Data to Tangible Insights using LEGO®️ SERIOUS PLAY®️
Adesh Bhansali

Head of Design & Research at Loco, Founder at Duckture

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Workshop
The Behavioral UX Toolkit: Quantifying the Unspoken With Neuroscience
Parag Amodkar

Eye tracking Expert and Proprietor, Tiden Technologies

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Workshop
Signals to Foresights to Actions – Co-creating the future of research
Rajib Ghosh

Strategic Design & Innovation Consultant

01:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Workshop
Making User Empathy Everyone’s Job: From Research Silos to Research Culture
Aunindra Kumar Sinha

UX Design Manager, Indeed

Charvi Dheeraj Arya

UX Designer, Indeed

01:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Workshop
If No One Reads It, Did You Really Research? Amplify Research in your Organization
Diksha Gautam

User Experience Researcher, Angel One

01:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Workshop
Ask Right and Listen Deep
Shipra Bhutada

Founder, Curator at IGNITE & Founder, Director User Research at UCC

Dr Mayank Loonker

Senior User Researcher, UCC

Nabila Ahmed

User Researcher, UCC

04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Workshop
Visualizing Conversations: Researchers can have fun too!
Anjali Kelkar

Founder & Director, Studio for Design Research

04:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Workshop
TBD
04:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Workshop
TBD

Partner with Us to Shape the Future of User Research

IGNITE thrives on the commitment of our partners and sponsors who believe in the power of user research to transform businesses. Partnering with us places your brand at the forefront of a growing discipline, offering unparalleled visibility among decision-makers, practitioners, and the next generation of industry leaders.

If you’re interested in joining us as a partner, we’d love to connect! To explore sponsorship opportunities, reach out on [email protected] or WhatsApp at +919502574834

Venue

The Main Conference on 6th February and the Workshops on 7th February will be held at T-Hub, the world’s largest innovation hub and a leading startup ecosystem enabler.

The Social Evening on 6th February will be hosted at Red Rhino – Craft Brewery and Inspired Kitchen, providing a warm, relaxed setting for conversations over food and cocktails.

About

At UCC, we hold a steadfast belief that transformative change stems from continuous learning, innovative thinking, and meaningful connections. This philosophy shapes everything we do, from our research approach to the partnerships we foster.

Recognizing a significant gap in India’s user research ecosystem—a platform to connect, learn, and exchange industry knowledge, insights, and best practices—we decided to take action.

This led to the conception of IGNITE, India’s first User Research Conference.

IGNITE by UCC is more than an event; it’s a movement designed to propel the practice of user research forward while fostering genuine connections.

By bringing together thought leaders, innovators, expert practitioners, business leaders and curious minds, IGNITE aims to cultivate a vibrant space where learning, networking, and growth converge.

IGNITE 2025: Where It All Began

IGNITE 2025 was where our vision to redefine user research from being a problem-solving tool to a catalyst for real impact came alive. What unfolded was more than a conference; it was a gathering of curious minds and passionate practitioners who saw research not just as a discipline, but as a shared belief in building better, more meaningful solutions. Here’s a look back at the energy and ideas that sparked a growing movement in India’s research community.
leading industry organizations and renowned academic institutions
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speakers, including senior leaders and practitioners from across industries
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attendees consisting researchers, designers, educators, and students
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