Community engagement is a cornerstone of public trust. This glossary entry clarifies what it really means, why it matters across government and nonprofit work, and how to move beyond check-the-box approaches.

User Experience (UX) is about what it feels like to interact with a tool, service, or system. In public life, that means whether a form is understandable, a portal is navigable, or a process is accessible. Strong UX doesn’t emerge from theory—it comes from engaging the people who will actually use the system, ensuring clarity in every interaction.

Design research in government and nonprofits isn’t just about collecting data—it’s about showing care. By grounding our work in human-centered, trauma-informed, and community-engaged approaches, we can uncover deeper truths, minimize harm, and generate insights that drive meaningful change. This is research with a heart: rigorous, respectful, and designed for public good.