The Human Factors Interest Group (HFIG) in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering (MIE) has been recognized by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) with the student chapter bronze award.

Human factors – or ergonomics – is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system. The research area applies theory, principles, data and other methods to optimize human well-being and overall system performances.

The HFES’ mission is to promote the discovery and exchange of knowledge concerning human characteristics that are applicable to the design of systems and devices of all kinds.

For the MIE group, networking and professional development have been key activities over the past year. The group hosts an annual industry panel with alumni such as Kevin Trinh (IndE MASc 1T0), a Research Technologist at Defence Research and Development Canada, as well as Gerard Torenvliet (IndE 9T7, MASc 9T9), Senior Scientist at Medtronic. HFIG also organized learning opportunities for undergraduates and tours of the University Health Network and Toronto Rehab.

“We had an exceptional executive committee this year that strived to provide great events for our members to socialize, network, mentor and learn more about human factors in our community,” said MASc student Lisa Min (IndE 0T6), President of the U of T HFIG chapter. Looking ahead, HFIG will host an inter-university human factors workshop in collaboration with the University of Waterloo and the University of Buffalo this November.

“Heartfelt congratulations to Lisa, her executive, and the entire Human Factors Interest Group,” said Professor Paul Milgram (MIE), HFIG’s faculty advisor. “This is well-deserved recognition for the exceptional work the group has done this past year, and will surely motivate them and their successors to continue their promotion of Human Factors in the future.”

HFIG will be recognized during the Society’s annual meeting October 22-26 in Boston, MA.