15 Apr 2014
Prestigious role for University ergonomist
A Loughborough University Professor has become President of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (IEHF).
Roger Haslam (pictured left), from the Loughborough Design School, was confirmed as President at the Institute’s recent annual conference. He is currently Professor of Ergonomics and a founding member of the School’s Human Factors and Complex Systems Research Group.
The IEHF was founded in 1949 as the Ergonomics Society and is the professional body for researchers and practitioners in the field of ergonomics, with a thriving international membership. Its aim is to promote awareness, education and application of ergonomics in industry, commerce, the public sector and government.
Speaking of becoming the Institute’s President Professor Haslam said: “Being appointed to this position is a great honour and a privilege. There has been a long and productive association between the University and the IEHF and I am very pleased to be able to play a part continuing this tradition.
“These are rapidly changing times with the products, technologies and services that form a major part of our modern world. It’s a considerable challenge making sure that these are fit for human purpose.
“A day doesn’t pass without there being a story in the news where significant problems with the things and services that we use results from shortcomings in their ergonomics. The Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors strives to avoid these problems.”
Loughborough Design School’s Dr Patrick Waterson was also honoured at the annual conference, picking up the William Floyd award in recognition of his outstanding and innovative contributions to ergonomics/human factors and to the IEHF.
The award is named after Professor William Floyd, a pioneer in the field of ergonomics.
Dr Waterson, Reader in Human Factors and Complex Systems, said: “I’m really delighted to receive the award.
“I knew Professor Floyd because he was head of department at Loughborough decades ago. In fact, I think he was the first and started an ergonomics degree.”
Professor Floyd was head of the new Department of Ergonomics and Cybernetics at Loughborough University of Technology from 1960 to 1975 and was appointed Professor in 1964.
He was the first to hold the position with ergonomics in the title in the UK, probably the world.
He founded the first undergraduate course in ergonomics, as well as being influential in starting the Institute of Consumer Ergonomics and the HUSAT Research Institute, both at Loughborough.
The major department which he founded has trained students and research scientists from all over the world and is the largest source of ergonomists in the UK. The Design School is now the home of this world renowned expertise.