Abstract: Designing courses, content, and technology has increasingly involved late stage testing, such as usability testing, or post-implementation evaluation, such as effectiveness testing. However, many experiences still do not rely on early-stage research, known as foundational or generative research. This research is critical to constructing learner-centered experiences that are accessible, intuitive, and engaging. In this session, learn about establishing foundational research, such as learner personae and learning principles, generative research, such as codesign sessions, and formative research, such as iterative testing. The session will focus on both fast-and-easy research methods and more sophisticated types of learner research, and will culminate with practical tips you can use to institute your own early-stage learning design research practice.