The Web Usability Podcast

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Aliyu Yisa a cybersecurity professional and accessibility advocate. They discuss Ali's journey from software engineering to focusing on accessible cybersecurity through his work with Pheasant and Cyblack. The conversation highlights the importance of making cybersecurity accessible to all, the challenges faced in the in...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability Podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Samantha Merrett, a Senior Accessibility Specialist at the Ministry of Justice. They discuss Samantha's journey into the field of accessibility, the importance of creating inclusive digital experiences, and the role of training and awareness in promoting accessibility. Samantha shares insights about the Accessibility Ba...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins engages in a conversation with Paul Graham, an IT coach specializing in Microsoft 365 tools and AI. They explore the evolution of communication, the role of AI in enhancing user experience, and the implications of AI on workplace dynamics and healthcare. The discussion highlights the balance between the benefits and potential drawb...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Joyann Boyce, founder and CEO of InClued AI, about the importance of inclusive marketing. They discuss Joyann's journey into the world of inclusivity, the role of AI in creating inclusive content, and the significance of understanding language and visuals in marketing. Joyann emphasises the need for organisations to be...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, host Lucy Collins speaks with Grace Carter, founder of the Metamorphose Group, about her journey as a storyteller and entrepreneur. They discuss the importance of creating inclusive and impactful campaigns, the evolution of Grace's businesses, and her mission to empower women and change the world for future generations. Grace shares her persona...

Summary In this special episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins and her team celebrate International Women's Day by discussing their personal journeys into the digital industry, the importance of women in tech, and the challenges they face. They share inspiring stories of women who have made significant contributions to the field and emphasise the need for supportive work environments t...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Gill Richardson, Head of Customer Research at the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). They discuss the IPO's ambitious One IPO Transformation Program, which aims to modernise digital services and enhance user experience. Gill shares her journey in user research, the importance of embedding user-centered design in organi...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins, along with Ken and Sophie, discuss the critical process of turning research into actionable insights. They emphasize the importance of setting clear research objectives, involving stakeholders early, and observing live research sessions to understand user struggles. The conversation highlights the need for collaborative sense-maki...

Summary In this minisode Lucy Collins talks with Richard Austin about redesigning an e‑commerce site. They cover why a refresh was needed, the rise of mobile traffic, and balancing older and newer customer needs. Takeaways Websites age fast even in four years. Mobile now drives 80% of sessions, making mobile‑first design essential. Desktop converts better, but mobile is catching up. Redesigns must...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, host Lucy Collins speaks with Ahmed Khalifa, a digital experience manager and advocate for web accessibility. They discuss Ahmed's journey as a deaf individual and how it has shaped his professional life, emphasising the importance of accessibility in digital experiences. The conversation covers the challenges faced by the deaf community, the s...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Luis Canto E Castro, a workplace inclusion and accessibility consultant. They discuss Luis's journey from South Africa to the UK, his mission to promote true accessibility and inclusion in workplaces, and the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. The conversation highlights the importance of creating enviro...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, host Lucy Collins and her team reflect on the past year in digital accessibility, discussing the implications of the European Accessibility Act and the evolving role of AI in user experience. They share insights on the current state of accessibility, the challenges faced, and predictions for 2025, emphasising the importance of human connection...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Simeon Quarrie, CEO of Vivida, about the transformation of online learning. They discuss the challenges of traditional e-learning, the innovative approaches Vivida employs, including storytelling and virtual reality, and the importance of creating engaging and memorable learning experiences. The conversation also touche...

summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Imogen Crawford, an independent e-commerce consultant, about her journey in the e-commerce space and the evolution of online shopping. They discuss the importance of crafting effective e-commerce strategies, the role of websites, building trust with customers, and the impact of AI and new sales channels like TikTok shop...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins interviews her parents, Peter Collins and Sarah Burton-Taylor, the founders of Web Usability. They discuss the evolution of Web Usability since its inception in 2002, the shift from a tech-centric to a user-centric approach, and the impact of technology on user experience. The conversation also explores the future of websites in an...

Summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Matt Wicks, co-CEO of Virtual Forge, about the evolution and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various sectors, particularly in user experience and technology. They discuss the journey of AI, its potential as an enhancer rather than a threat, and the importance of developing a strategic approach to AI implementa...

summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins and her team discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in user experience (UX) research. They explore how AI tools can enhance efficiency, improve research insights, and support accessibility for users with disabilities. The conversation also delves into the concept of synthetic users and the ethical considera...

summary In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Jon O'Donnell, a Senior Accessibility Specialist at the Department for Work and Pensions. They discuss Jon's personal journey into accessibility, the importance of document accessibility, common issues found in documents, and the need for a mindset shift regarding accessibility practices. Jon shares insights on the DWP'...

summary In this episode, Lucy Collins and her team discuss the importance of accessibility in various digital spaces, including websites, mobile apps, forms, office documents, PDFs, emails, e-learning, social media, and intranets. They emphasise the need to consider accessibility in all digital content and highlight the impact it can have on improving the user experience for everyone. The team pro...

Summary In this episode, Lucy Collins interviews Scott Fulton, Director of Digital Rebels, about the importance of evidence-based design in creating effective digital services. Scott shares his experience of becoming a digital leader and the pivotal moment when he realised the importance of user-centered design. They discuss the common mistakes organisations make in designing websites and intranet...

Summary In this episode, Lucy, Sophie and Ken discus the benefits of testing with users and shares examples of different types of testing they have conducted over the years. The key themes that emerge from their testing experiences are the importance of testing early with users, the value of user testing in both digital and physical spaces, and the difference between behavioural and attitudinal in...

Summary In this episode, Lucy Collins interviews Dave Martin, Digital Learning Design Lead for the Cabinet Office, about the importance of accessibility in e-learning. They discuss the scale of e-learnings in the civil service, the accessibility requirements for compliance activities, and the challenges of applying WCAG guidelines to e-learning. They emphasise the need for choice and options in e-...

Summary In this episode, the Web Usability team, Lucy, Sophie and Ken discuss the challenges of achieving compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). They explore why many websites are not accessible, including a lack of understanding, limited resources, and reliance on automated tools. The team also highlight common technical, content, and design issues that arise during acce...

Summary In this episode, Lucy Collins interviews Richard Austin, director at David Austin Roses , about the journey of developing a new website for the brand. They discuss the importance of user experience, the need for a mobile-first approach, and the balance between user needs and business needs. Richard shares his experience of working with Web Usability and highlights the value of user researc...

Summary The Web Usability team, Lucy Collins, Ken Groom and Sophie Knight, are gathered around the microphone to ask the question 'is your website actually any good?'. We explore what makes a great website and how to avoid entering the website hall of shame. In particular, we discuss the importance of usability, findability, and meeting user needs. We share examples of websites that have done a go...