HFE in Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice: A Practical Primer

Abstract

The HFES Diversity Committee is entering its third year following many years existing as a task force. We have built a series of annual meeting content over the past years, with panels introducing the task force and then the committee; last year, we shifted focus to highlight examples of HFE research advancing diversity, inclusion and social justice. We continue to build off of previous years’ sessions – last year concluded with several questions seeking practical, concrete advice and suggestions to advance DISJ through HFE research and within the society. Therefore, this year we present an alternative format session that will function as a group of mini-workshops: two focused on research, one on broadening participation in HFE and one of inclusive excellence within HFE training and education. Session participants will develop “how to” knowledge and leave with a network of likeminded peers, colleagues and potential collaborators.

Broadening Diversity and Inclusivity in Human Factors and Ergonomics

“…We analyzed audio recordings from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society's 63 rd International Annual Meeting held in Seattle, Washington on November 1, 2019. The session began with an introduction before attendees self-selected into four concurrent breakout sessions: 1) Ensuring Inclusive Excellence in HF/E Training and Education, 2) Broadening Participation in HF/E, 3) Potential Partners in Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice (DISJ)-Oriented Research, and 4) Considerations for Conducting DISJ-Oriented HF/E Research (Wooldridge et al, 2019). At the end of the breakout sessions, participants convened for a closing discussion.…”

Inclusion and Accessibility in The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

“…These panels have covered a range of topics including the HFES vision to advance diversity and inclusion (Smith-Jackson, Pak, Johnson, McLaughlin, & Rovira, 2016), diversity challenges and opportunities for advancing inclusion in HFES (Chiou, Wooldridge, Price, Mosqueda, & Roscoe, 2017), and practical considerations for HFE practitioners in conducting diversity, inclusion and social justice (DISJ) research (Wooldridge, et al, 2018). In 2019, the committee planned an alternative format session consisting of four concurrent mini-workshops, with each workshop organized around one of the following themes: supporting DISJ in the society and profession or supporting and conducting human factors and ergonomics research addressing DISJ issues (Wooldridge, et al, 2019).…”

Media and Public Engagement for Societal Impact: Getting the Word Out about Human Factors and Ergonomics

“…This work emerged from discussions at the 2017 HFES annual meeting, which invited more involvement and dialog about inclusion within the society itself (Chiou, Wooldridge, Price, Mosqueda, & Roscoe, 2017). Subsequent panel discussions broadened the scope to address how HF/E researchers might pursue social justice within and through their scholarship (Wooldridge et al, 2018), and to provide practical guidance on inclusive training and education, broadening participation in HF/E, collaboration, seeking funding, and conducting research with marginalized populations (Wooldridge et al, 2019). In parallel, an edited volume was produced on advancing diversity, inclusion, and social justice, including both prior panelists and new voices from various perspectives (Roscoe, Chiou, & Wooldridge, 2019).…”