The Titans of The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Virtual Symposium is a showcase of some of the premier researchers, practitioners, and academicians in HFES. These speakers will present on the foundational areas of the science of human factors and ergonomics and will provide their insights into the future of Human Factors/Ergonomics.

Join a panel of mid- and senior-level career professionals who will share concerning: - Their paths to Human Factors, Ergonomics, and UX; - Glimpses into their day-to-day; - And advice for students/early-career professionals. Panelists: - Limor Hochberg, Bose - Shannon Kay O Brien, Thompson Reuters - Deborah Bowles, Target - Eileen Kohn, US Bank - Janet Creaser, Medtronic - Moderator: Adam Schwartz, Jamf

Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), often stemming from ergonomic risk factors, are the largest category of workplace injuries in the United States. According to the 2021 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, overexertion injuries (lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, or carrying objects) are the leading cause for disabling work-related injuries, costing businesses more than $58 billion every year. Additionally, according to NSC Injury Facts, in 2020, the U.S. private sector experienced 247,620 MSD injuries or illnesses resulting in days away from work. To address the significant risk of MSDs, the National Safety Council joined with a major industry partner in 2021 and created the MSD Solutions Lab. In this session, NSC researchers from the MSD Solutions Lab will provide an overview of the initiative and discuss work to date, including the outcome of their scoping review on MSD literature in identifying the challenges for research, innovation, and collaboration, and the building of an index for tracking organization performance to support research into practice. In summary, this session will highlight the MSD Solutions Lab initiatives by discussing current work and plans for future innovation, research, and practice to help ensure that all workplaces are free from MSDs and MSD risk so workers can thrive on and off the clock.

Climate Change is probably the most significant challenge we, as a species, face today and given that it is widely agreed that Humans are accelerating climate change, then it makes sense that Humans are in a prime position to do something about it. Human Factors and Ergonomics are often seen as the “glue” that can hold many projects together to deliver successful outcomes, and Barry Kirby is leading a drive to apply HF/E principles to empower organizations, government and individuals to be able to take practical and real steps to make a difference. This talk will highlight the rationale behind the work, the application of behavior change principles, what has been done so far and what is being planned in the future. Most importantly, it provides handrails that people can use to make their own changes, to take their first steps.