Christina Spencer
About Christina Spencer
Christina Spencer is the Manager of User Insights at ITHAKA, where she has worked since 2018, focusing on embedding user research into the organization's culture. She previously held roles as a UX Researcher and Manager of User Research at ITHAKA, contributing to user-centric approaches and leading a team that influences product design for platforms with over 80 million annual visitors.
Current Role at ITHAKA
Christina Spencer currently serves as the Manager of User Insights at ITHAKA, a position she has held since 2018. In this role, she leads a multidisciplinary insights team that influences product design for platforms that attract over 80 million annual visitors, including JSTOR, Artstor, and Forum. Her leadership focuses on enhancing user engagement and ensuring that user insights are integrated into the design process.
Previous Experience at ITHAKA
Christina Spencer has a substantial history with ITHAKA, having worked there in various capacities. She began as a UX Researcher from 2013 to 2016, where she contributed to user testing initiatives. Following this, she served as the Manager of User Research from 2016 to 2018, where she played a key role in embedding user research into the organizational culture and promoting evidence-based decision-making.
Education and Expertise
Christina Spencer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Self, Society, & Culture from Antioch College, which she completed from 2001 to 2005. She furthered her education with a Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Wayne State University, achieved in 2008. Her academic background provides a foundation for her expertise in user research and insights.
Research Methodologies and Impact
In her current position, Christina implements a holistic research approach that combines qualitative user research with in-depth qualitative analytics. This methodology addresses various product, design, and business questions. She has demonstrated the impact of new content layouts through qualitative reactions and quantitative behaviors, which has led to increased user engagement on ITHAKA's platforms.
Contributions to User-Centric Culture
Christina Spencer facilitates a culture at ITHAKA where developers actively inquire about user testing. This initiative enhances the user-centric approach within the organization, ensuring that user insights are prioritized in product development and design processes. Her efforts have made user research a core value at ITHAKA.