UX Researcher & Experience Design Strategist
Casper Leitner
Designing systems that challenge the status quo.
I draw from a background as unconventional as it is useful—legal advocacy, education, event management, and even classical music. My work is shaped by years studying prison abolition and restorative justice, where I learned what it really means to design for dignity, empathy, and impact.
Selected work01 / Research
Selected work.
Healthcare · Community Outreach · Qualitative Research
Yes We Cancer
Research exploring the financial, emotional, and relational challenges facing families after a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Through interviews, secondary research, and online community observation, the project examined gaps in existing support systems and opportunities to better meet families’ needs.
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Finance · Industry Research · Data Analysis
Farm Credit Services of America
Research examining how Farm Credit Services of America could strengthen its internal experience design and digital product management capabilities. Through secondary research, competitive analysis, online community research, and stakeholder engagement, the project explored opportunities to build team expertise and support more strategic, organization-wide change.
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Education · Ethnographic Research · Restorative Justice
Dalai Lama Center
Research exploring the evidence behind mindfulness in education and the factors influencing its adoption in schools. Through interviews with educators, administrators, students, and other stakeholders, alongside primary and secondary research, the project examined the opportunities and barriers to integrating mindfulness into children’s learning environments.
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Marketing · Graphic Design · Quantitative Research
Bass Spot
Developing a more intentional digital strategy to strengthen Bass Spot’s online presence, communicate the value of its inventory, and build meaningful connections with potential customers.
View case study
Also worked with Arab American Family Legal Services · Amneal · Jim Joseph Foundation
02 / Approach
How I approach research
The topics I study have been described as rare, unusual, obscure, extreme, anomalous, niche, and hidden.
I’m not trying to find the problem, and I’m not rushing to solve it. I want to understand it so deeply that everyone else has a better problem to solve.
03 / Career
Trajectory.
2024 – present
Social Science · Research & Analysis
Social Science Researcher
Inzovu
Investigate complex questions across industries, uncovering the people, patterns, and information that shape how organizations understand a problem. My work involves tracing sources, identifying and interviewing key stakeholders, building research databases, and turning fragmented information into clear, actionable findings.
2024 – present
Ethnographic Research · User-Testing & Prototyping
UX Researcher & Designer
UX For Good
Explore the complexities of family experiences through ethnographic research, in-home interviews, and comparative studies, identifying unmet needs and gaps in existing support systems. I collaborate with specialists across disciplines to develop inclusive, family-centered solutions, while producing a podcast and managing digital storytelling initiatives that bring these experiences to a wider audience. Through user testing and ongoing feedback, I help refine solutions around the realities of the families they are designed to serve.
2022 – 2024
Academia · Social Science
Teaching Assistant
University of Illinois at Chicago
Supported instruction in Queer Criminology, Policing Immigration, Statistics, and Violence Studies, helping students engage with complex social issues, research, and analytical methods.
2022 – 2023
Legal Research · Criminology · Restorative Justice
Legal Intern & Paralegal
Lawndale Christian Legal Center
Worked alongside attorneys on case preparation and mitigation, facilitated criminal peace circles, mediated, and supported clients and their families throughout case-related processes.
2021
Project Manager
Leitner Insights
2018 – 2019
Event Coordinator
City Club of Chicago
Education
- MA, Criminology, Law, and Justice
University of Illinois at Chicago · 2024
High Honors - BA, Criminology, Law, and Justice
University of Illinois at Chicago · 2022
Summa Cum Laude · 4.0 GPA
Skills
- Research
- Ethnography, UI/UX research, Statistical analysis, Qualitative interviewing
- Legal
- Legal research, Mitigation research, Case preparation, Client & family interviewing, Restorative justice facilitation, Criminal justice systems
- Design
- Wireframing, Prototyping, Accessibility & inclusive design, Content strategy
- Tools
- Figma, Dovetail, UserTesting, Ethnio, R, Framer
- Practice
- Workshop facilitation, Conflict resolution, Project management, Stakeholder presentations
04 / Contact
Let’s chat.
Everyone is brilliant at something different. I know my thing. You know yours. Let’s be brilliant together.
casper@casperleitner.com