Latest Update: 2012/02/20

In December 2010 the IEA commissioned a Future of Ergonomics committee to develop a position paper (“white paper”) on the future of the human factors/ergonomics (HFE) discipline and profession. The committee consisted of Jan Dul (Chair, Netherlands), Ralph Bruder (Germany), Peter Buckle (UK), Pascale Carayon (USA), Pierre Falzon (France), William S. Marras (USA), John R. Wilson (UK), and Bas van der Doelen (Secretary, Netherlands). 

Results were reported at the IEA council meeting and the 18th Triennial World Congress on Ergonomics, IEA2012 in Brazil. A strategy for the future of HFE was developed by sharing and discussing the views of committee members and many other HFE specialists. 

At the council meeting the following motion was accepted unanimously (41 votes) “the IEA Council adopts the white paper, A strategy for human factors/ ergonomics: developing the discipline and profession as a guide in the development of a strategic and action plan” 

The content of the paper is available to any organization (including the IEA and local HFE societies) and any individual to develop new strategies, tactics and operations within their own context. 

The paper is published the journal Ergonomics and has been made freely available for 12 months by courtesy of Taylor and Francis, Publishers.

Practitioner Summary: Human factors/ergonomics (HFE) has much to offer by addressing major business and societal challenges regarding work and product/service systems. HFE potential, however, is underexploited. This paper presents a strategy for the HFE community to strengthen demand and application of high-quality HFE, emphasising its key elements: systems approach, design driven, and performance and well-being goals.

To cite this article: Jan Dul, Ralph Bruder, Peter Buckle, Pascale Carayon, Pierre Falzon, William S. Marras, John R. Wilson and Bas van der Doelen (2012): A strategy for human factors/ergonomics: developing the discipline and profession, Ergonomics,

DOI:10.1080/00140139.2012.661087