Cognitive Ergonomics
The International Ergonomics Association (IEA) defines cognitive ergonomics as being “concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system.” Relevant topics in this area include mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance, human-computer interaction, human reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system design.
The Center’s main research activities in the area of Cognitive Ergonomics currently relate to:
| Research Activities | Active Faculty |
| Human-Automation / Robot Interaction | Paul Green, Nadine Sarter, Leia Stirling, Xi Jessie Yang |
| Computational and Integrative Models of Human Cognitive Performance | Paul Green, Yili Liu, Bernard Martin, Matt Reed |
| Design and Evaluation of Multimodal Human-Machine Interfaces. (Interfaces That Distribute Information Across Vision, Audition and Touch) | Yili Liu, Nadine Sarter, Leia Stirling |
| Decision Support Systems/Decision Aiding | Yili Liu, Nadine Sarter, Leia Stirling |
| Alarm Design | Nadine Sarter |
| Cognitive Task/Work Analysis | Nadine Sarter, Leia Stirling |
| Information Visualization | Nadine Sarter |
| Design of Driver Interfaces | Paul Green, Yili Liu, Matt Reed, Nadine Sarter |
Biomechanics and Work Physiology
Biomechanics and work physiology are disciplines within the field of Physical Ergonomics which IEA defines as being “concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity.” The form of biomechanics practiced in the Center for Ergonomics is consistent with what is commonly referred to as “Functional Biomechanics”. It was defined by Frankel and Nordin (1980) as using “laws of physics and engineering concepts to describe motion undergone by the various body segments, and the forces acting on these body parts during normal daily activities.”
The Center’s main research activities in the areas of Biomechanics and Work Physiology focus on:
| Research Activities | Active Faculty |
| Human Modeling | Tom Armstrong, Yili Liu, Bernard Martin, Matt Reed |
| Anthropometry | Matt Reed |
| Hand Models | Tom Armstrong |
| Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) | Tom Armstrong, Bernard Martin, Sheryl Ulin |
| Climbing | Tom Armstrong |
| Posture/Motion Modeling | Tom Armstrong, Bernard Martin, Matt Reed, Leia Stirling |
| Human Vibration Exposure | Bernard Martin |
| Fatigue | Tom Armstrong, Bernard Martin |
| Job/Task Analysis Procedures | Tom Armstrong, Paul Green, |
| Special Populations (e.g., Aging, Disabilities) | Tom Armstrong, Matt Reed, |
Safety
Research at the Center for Ergonomics is concerned also with the development of frameworks, methods, and models for analyzing and preventing mishaps and complex system failures in a variety of domains. Using a systems approach and/or epidemiology, we examine the contribution of cognitive/perceptual, technological, and organizational factors to incidents and accidents. The overall goal of this work is to develop tools that help prevent and manage erroneous actions by end users as well as increase resilience and create a safety culture at all levels of an organization.
| Research Activities | Active Faculty |
| Falls | Tom Armstrong, Matt Reed |
| Human Error and Error Management | Yili Liu, Nadine Sarter |
Domains
Research in the Center for Ergonomics is conducted in a wide range of application domains, including:
| Research Activities | Active Faculty |
| Aviation and Space | Yili Liu, Nadine Sarter, Leia Stirling |
| Driving | Paul Green, Yili Liu, Bernard Martin, Matt Reed, Nadine Sarter |
| Vehicle Design | Matt Reed |
| Manufacturing | Tom Armstrong, Yili Liu, Bernard Martin, Matt Reed, Sheryl Ulin |
| Human-Computer Interface | Tom Armstrong, Paul Green, Yili Liu, Bernard Martin, Nadine Sarter, Leia Stirling |
| Inclusive Design | Paul Green, Yili Liu, Matt Reed |
| MSD Screening/Surveillance | Yili Liu, Sheryl Ulin |
| Healthcare | Tom Armstrong, Nadine Sarter, Leia Stirling, Sheryl Ulin |
| Military Operations | Tom Armstrong, Nadine Sarter, Leia Stirling |
| Office | Tom Armstrong, Matt Reed, Sheryl Ulin |
| Service | Tom Armstrong, Sheryl Ulin |