Event Overview
On September 25, 2026, the Accelerate UX (AUX) Working Group hosted a satellite workshop at NOBUGS 2026 in Hamburg, Germany, bringing together scientists, software developers, and other professionals to explore practical approaches to improving user experience (UX) in scientific software.
The three-hour workshop combined real-world case studies, interactive exercises, and group discussions to demonstrate how UX principles can be applied to software development across research facilities.
Learning from Real-World UX Challenges
The workshop began with two case studies highlighting how user-centered design can guide the modernization of existing scientific applications.
Madelyn Polzin presented Fermilab's efforts to modernize its Beam Position Monitor (BPM) plotting applications. Rather than maintaining multiple similar applications, the team explored consolidating them into a single interface. Through user research, workflow observations, and iterative prototyping, the project demonstrated how understanding user needs can help reduce cognitive load and simplify complex workflows.
Tiffany Tran followed with a case study on redesigning SCORE, a legacy Python application at SLAC. Instead of directly replicating the existing interface in React, the team first examined how users interacted with the application, identified pain points, and mapped workflows to better organize information and actions. The presentation emphasized that modernization is not simply about updating an application's appearance, but about improving how effectively it supports the people using it.
Both case studies reinforced the importance of involving users throughout the design process, gathering feedback early, and making intentional design decisions before implementation.
Putting UX Principles into Practice
Following the presentations, participants moved into hands-on activities designed to apply these concepts.
The first exercise, Bad UX Detective, challenged participants to identify common usability problems in example interfaces. Working in small groups, attendees examined problematic design patterns, discussed potential improvements, and considered how to prioritize fixes when development time and resources are limited.
The activity encouraged conversations about the challenges of maintaining consistent interfaces, incorporating user feedback, and establishing effective UX practices within different facilities.
The second exercise focused on variant testing, introducing participants to a practical method for comparing interface designs and gathering user feedback. Using AI-generated Figma mockups, participants worked in pairs to practice asking questions, evaluating design alternatives, and understanding user preferences.
Rather than relying solely on assumptions when choosing between designs, the exercise demonstrated how even simple user interviews and comparisons can provide valuable insights to guide development decisions. No prior Figma experience was required, making the activity accessible to participants from different technical backgrounds.
Building Better Software Together
Throughout the workshop, a recurring theme was that good UX is a collaborative effort. Developers, designers, scientists, and operators each bring valuable perspectives that can help shape more intuitive and effective software.
The workshop concluded by revisiting the importance of understanding user workflows, questioning existing interface conventions, and testing design decisions before committing to implementation.
As part of the broader NOBUGS conference, the satellite workshop also provided an opportunity to connect with an international community facing many of the same challenges in scientific software development.
The Accelerate UX Working Group plans to continue these conversations through community meetings, shared resources, and future workshops, including its next annual workshop planned for February 2027.