SITUATION
What is Scopus?
Scopus is a big online database that helps people find research articles and track how often they’re used or mentioned. It’s mostly used by universities, researchers, and companies to stay updated on science, health, and technology topics, and to see who’s doing important work in those fields.
Due to a global restructuring, Elsevier relocated its UX operations for the Scopus platform from Dayton, Ohio and New York City to Amsterdam, resulting in the departure of the previous UX team.
ACTION 1
Build a UX Team
Built and onboarded a multidisciplinary UX team using the Figma design team framework, balancing strengths across craft and culture.
Team:
2 senior UX designers
2 mid-level UX designers
1 junior UX researcher
1 principal UX researcher
1 UX/Technical writer
Focused on creating a culture of collaboration, clarity, and high-quality output across disciplines.
ACTION 2
Build a Design Culture
Designed and implemented new rituals and processes to foster collaboration, critique, and a strong team culture:
•
Design week schedule with Week Start, Design Critiques (2x), Design Jams, Monthly Team Retro’s, (Asynchronous) Silent Critiques, and Final Design Reviews,
•
Design & Operating Principles to get a shared understanding in what good design means and how we want to operate as a team.
•
Culture Map workshops to understand behaviours, how to give feedback, and how to communicate.
•
Knowledge sharing via slack or in-person / online.
ACTION 3
Establishing scalable UX practices
•
Introduced a design system to improve consistency, accessibility, and efficiency across Scopus.
•
Navigated the shift to remote/hybrid work, adapting collaboration to be more asynchronous and inclusive.
•
Transitioned the UX model from being embedded in squads to an initiative-based structure, matching team strengths to business impact.
•
All designers are yellow belt accessibility certified.
Result
What we achieved
😊
Built a stable, high-performing team with low attrition — most team members have stayed for multiple years.
🚀
Three promotions, supporting career growth and internal mobility.
🌟
High Officevibe scores of 8.6 average, reflecting strong team engagement and well-being.
🌈
Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) scores consistently ranked above the company average, signaling inclusivity and satisfaction.