When Dr. Shourjya Sanyal reflects on his time at UCD Innovation Academy, one lesson stands out above all others: the critical importance of keeping the end user in mind. This principle, which he describes as his most striking takeaway, has become a cornerstone of his approach to research and innovation. It’s a philosophy that has contributed to his recognition as a recipient of the 2025 UCD Alumni Award for Research, Innovation, and Impact.
Dr. Sanyal’s insight isn’t just a personal success story. It’s a reminder of a fundamental truth that underpins all meaningful innovation: no matter how groundbreaking your research or how sophisticated your technology, its real value is determined by the people who use it.
“My strongest memory of my time in UCD is probably the first week when I did a module in the Innovation Academy. It taught students to go out and learn from the end user and that has always stayed with me as I built a career on innovation.”
Why the End User Must Come First
In the world of research and innovation, it’s easy to become captivated by the elegance of a solution, the novelty of a technology, or the complexity of a problem. Yet history is littered with brilliant ideas that failed because they didn’t resonate with the people they were designed to serve.
The end user — whether a patient, a consumer, a student, or a community — must be more than an afterthought. They must be the starting point.
Understanding Real Needs
User-centered innovation begins with understanding actual needs rather than assumed ones. This means engaging with end users early and often, observing how they navigate challenges, and listening to their frustrations and aspirations.
What researchers or developers think users need can be vastly different from what users actually experience in their daily lives.
Designing for Accessibility and Usability
Even the most innovative solution loses its impact if it’s difficult to access or use. User-centred design ensures that innovations are intuitive, inclusive, and practical. This is particularly crucial in fields like healthcare, education, and technology, where the gap between expert knowledge and user experience can be significant.
Creating Sustainable Impact
When innovations are built with users at the centre, they’re more likely to be adopted, sustained, and scaled. Users become advocates rather than reluctant participants. They provide valuable feedback that drives continuous improvement. And they help shape solutions that are truly fit for purpose.
Learning Through Iteration
Perhaps most importantly, a user-centred approach embraces learning as an ongoing process. It acknowledges that the first version of a solution is rarely the best version, and that real-world testing and user feedback are essential for refinement. This iterative mindset which is learning from the end user, transforms innovation from a one-time event into a dynamic, responsive process.
From Classroom to Impact
The UCD Innovation Academy has long championed this user-centered philosophy, equipping students and researchers with the tools and mindset to translate academic excellence into real-world impact. For Dr. Sanyal, this education proved transformative, shaping not just what he does but how he approaches every challenge.
His recognition through the UCD Alumni Award for Research, Innovation, and Impact serves as a testament to the power of this approach. When we put users at the heart of innovation, we don’t just create better solutions… We create solutions that truly matter.If you want to make an impact like Dr. Sanyal, discover our programmes for all levels at UCD Innovation Academy.