.  This chapter introduces the central theme of the book: the divide between academic and applied UX research. The authors indicate that the book will highlight the differences in expectations, methodologies, and communication styles between these two domains, emphasizing the lack of synergy that hinders progress in the UX field. Through personal stories, the authors illustrate the challenges of balancing scholarly rigor with real-world constraints and the missed opportunities for cross-pollination of knowledge. The chapter outlines the book’s overarching goal and clearly defines its scope, positioning it as a resource to foster collaboration between academia and industry to advance UX research and practice.