growandconnect.org

What It Is

Grow & Connect is a global peer community for experienced UX Research Leaders, and also offers the in-person ReConnect Retreat. It is not a traditional recorded course or standardized bootcamp. Instead, it centers on application-based membership, group discussions, live sparring sessions, peer coaching, Slack conversations, and a newsletter, helping research leaders gain outside perspectives on real workplace challenges.

Core Evaluation

In terms of subject focus, it centers on UX Research leadership, research team and practice management, strategic reflection, and peer support. The delivery format is more community- and workshop-oriented: online activities are mainly live events and small-group sparring, while the in-person retreat is a 3-day, small-scale deep exploration. We did not find recorded lessons, fixed course modules, or a promise of 1-on-1 coaching. As for certification, no certificate is mentioned in the main content, so it should not be treated as a credentialing program for résumé enhancement.

Pricing and Instructors

Community membership costs €299/year, with discount applications available for members who are unemployed, underemployed, or based in countries with lower-valued currencies. The ReConnect Retreat costs €795–€995 excluding VAT, including two nights of accommodation, meals, materials, and transfers to and from the train station. Founder Kathleen Asjes has around 15 years of research leadership experience and operates as an independent research leader and coach. Retreat co-host Tomomi Sasaki has a background in design and research, and has worked on projects involving Google, Spotify, Coinbase, ASICS, Toyota, and others. The instructor backgrounds are well aligned with the theme of UXR leadership.

Pros and Cons

The main strengths are its very narrow and clear positioning, and its emphasis on “challenges” rather than polished success stories, making it suitable for senior practitioners who want honest discussions. The application review process and monthly cap on new members also help maintain community quality. The downside is that it is not a systematic course: it lacks a clear learning path, assignment feedback, and certificates. It also requires strong English communication skills, time-zone coordination, and active participation. If you only want to learn passively, its value will be reduced.

Who It’s For and Access from China

It is best suited to UXR leads who are already managing teams, building research practices, or taking on organization-level research leadership responsibilities—especially those who feel isolated and need peer perspectives from outside their own company. It is not suitable for UX research beginners or “aspiring leaders” looking for an entry-level path. Access from China is not stated in the main content and should be treated as unknown; payment methods are also not disclosed. Chinese users should also consider euro-denominated payments, cross-border payment friction, time differences, and the visa and travel costs of attending the retreat in the Netherlands. Alternatives may include ReOps, UX researcher communities on Slack/LinkedIn, NN/g, or more course-based UX and design leadership programs such as IDEO U.