UXPA International — UX research professional community

UXPA International (User Experience Professionals Association) is the established professional body for UX practitioners worldwide. It provides structure that informal online communities lack: annual conferences, local chapters, peer-reviewed publications (Journal of Usability Studies), and formal networking events.

Local chapters organize regular meetups, workshops, and speaker events in cities around the world. The annual UXPA International Conference brings together researchers, designers, and strategists for multi-day programming. The association also publishes the Journal of Usability Studies, one of the few peer-reviewed outlets focused on applied UX research.

For researchers who want professional development infrastructure beyond online conversation, including conference access, local chapter events, and career resources, UXPA provides the most established framework in the field. Membership is paid, but local chapter events are often open to non-members.