Professional perspectives
A group of leading human factors professionals have shared their view on the major issues facing the profession now and in the future. The researchers and practitioners collaborated on the study to reflect on the impact of human factors as the CIEHF celebrates its 75th anniversary.
They were asked a series of questions, including about where research should be directed, what the current challenges are and what changes are needed to ensure human factors can fulfil its potential impact over the next 75 years.
Rapid advances in technology and a lack of suitably qualified professionals were identified as the two major challenges, with other factors such as an ageing workforce and climate change also being highlighted. New technology was also named as a key area for future research, along with new human factors methods, health care and sustainability. And improved training was the most common answer from the group about what needs to be done to make sure the profession is fit for the future and can reach its potential.
The majority of people questioned for the study, which is published in the journal Ergonomics, agreed that there would still be a need for human factors in 75 years’ time, with just two out of 18 disagreeing.
In her answer, Professor Sarah Sharples, said: “I describe ergonomics and human factors as ‘humans are fallible, and humans are brilliant’. Our job is to minimise the impact of human fallibility and maximise the value of human brilliance. I believe that the brilliance of people will still be critical in 75 years’ time – and that human factors is key to ensuring that brilliance delivers the best possible sociotechnical systems.”