The Way Forward for Human Factors/Ergonomics and Sustainability

Abstract

In this paper we outline a vision for human factors/ergonomics and sustainability in the 21st century. The paper extends and updates earlier work by Moray (1995) which posed a number of global challenges for the discipline of HFE. In particular we point to several trends and priorities within HFE, these include: a shift away from specialization and towards trans-disciplinarity; greater emphasis on systems and complexity in HFE as compared to an earlier focus on micro-ergonomics; the emergence of values and ethics as central concerns for the discipline; moving away from mitigation and towards adaptation and intervention in our efforts to tackle global issues and sustainability; and, the importance of local, tailored and devolved solutions to problems such as climate change and disaster resilience. Our overall aim in the paper is to motivate and challenge HFE researchers and practitioners to further address and confront some of these priorities. The HFE discipline is well-placed to make significant contributions towards resolving global problems and our hope is that further and significant progress can be made in the coming decades.