Escape the every day grind
Make time for strategy
Pause, reflect…
ReConnect
ReConnect with fellow UX Research Leaders and explore what’s next.
12-14 October, 2026
The Netherlands
Restore your passion and inspire your future research practice.
Break free from the ordinary. This intimate retreat, capped at 10 UX Research leaders, goes beyond traditional training. It’s a guided exploration alongside your peers, fostering self-discovery and collaboration.
Through a guided process of self-reflection and peer-to-peer coaching, you’ll work towards the following objectives:
- Sharpen your vision. Define your research strategy to chart a course for more impactful research.
- Craft your future. Uncover what truly matters for your research leadership practice, shaping its trajectory and maximising your influence.
- Amplify your impact. Connect with a like-minded cohort of leaders, forging powerful connections to fuel collective growth.
Why should you come?
Have you ever noticed how valuable it is to hear the perspective from someone who is not your colleague, friend or partner? To talk with someone you do not know, but does have relevant experience and ideas to share?
Sometimes a fresh perspective is all you need to see your challenges in a new light.
This retreat is for you if:
- You’re a UX Research Leader who wants to work strategically.
- You crave meaningful connection with fellow research leaders.
- You’re ready to deepen your leadership practice.
Enjoy the silence and nature
The retreat will take place in The Netherlands, in the green heart of nature reserve Hoorneboeg near Hilversum. It is an inspiring and restful location where you can truly connect with yourself and others.
The Hoorneboeg Villa
This is where we host sessions during the day. Everyone stays in their individual room or cosy cabin on the estate.
Nurture yourself
All meals are vegetarian and made with locally grown vegetables and ingredients.
Relax in the outdoors
There are many places to walk and relax, enjoying the green surroundings.
Time to ReConnect
Plenty of time for reflection or to connect with the other leaders during one of the workshops.
Leave this retreat with a renewed sense of purpose, a clear vision for your research strategy, and a powerful network of research leaders who support your journey.
The program
We start the retreat with stating our intentions and goals for the time we have together. Every research leader brings their own experience and challenges with them, a brilliant blend of wisdom and curiosity. There are themes for each day and you will experience a unique development from peer-coaching and introspection.
Each day there are facilitated sessions related to the day’s theme. Sometimes these sessions take place with the whole group, sometimes you will work in pairs or alone. There is plenty of time built in for reflection and if you need time by yourself you can step out when needed.
In between sessions you can go for a walk in nature, enjoy some yoga or chat with the other participants.
In the evenings we will enjoy a lovely meal, light a campfire and relax.
Monday 12th October
Day 1
Focus: ReConnect
Define and share our intentions and goals for the retreat.
Get to know each other and coach each other on our individual challenges.
Tuesday 13th October
Day 2
Focus: Strategy
Explore what’s next for your research practice and for you as a research leader.
Decide which strategy works for your organisation and your research practice.
But also… yoga, lovely meals, a walk on the estate and a campfire
Wednesday 14th October
Day 3
Focus: Direction
Discover which leadership values you embody and which ones you want to strengthen
We wrap at the end of the day and return home, but will stay connected through the leadership community.
Your host: Kathleen Asjes
Kathleen is the founder of Grow & Connect, a community for UX Research leaders who seek each others support and inspiration.
Over the past 15 years, Kathleen has dedicated herself to leading user research and researchers, encountering numerous remarkable individuals who shared a desire for growth and development.
All these years as a research leader come together in her coaching practice. As an independent coach, she continues to focus on helping Research leaders to unlock their full potential.
Your host: Tomomi Sasaki
Tomomi is a designer and researcher, seeking to build strong teams, healthy workplaces and useful products.
She is a partner at the independent studio AQ, leading research efforts for major players in the tech industry (Google, Spotify, Coinbase) and multinational corporations with a Japan connection (ASICS, Toyota Motor Europe, Sony).
Tomomi is interested in how we design the conditions for independent-minded individuals to grow and thrive together. As a trained coach, she takes on select 1:1 clients and hosts group programs at Emotions at Work.
Price
- Regular price; 995 EUR ex VAT (if your company or organisation pays for you)
- Out of pocket price; 895 EUR ex VAT (if you are self-employed or paying yourself)
- Early bird discount is -100 EUR if you book and pay before the end of May!
These fees include two nights accommodation, transport to and from the train station, all meals/drinks/snacks and materials used on site for 3 days.
