Early Career Researchers

Background

One year after the initial proposal, the Early Career Researchers Special Interest Group is now up and running. The idea to create such a group was born from the desire and need to have a support platform created and managed by students. We aim to create a national supportive platform for early career researchers in ergonomics where knowledge and expertise gained from the varied backgrounds of our members can be shared, and with which to liaise with student groups in other countries. For more detailed information, please refer to our Aims and Objectives below.

Who should join us?

Two primary groups are encouraged to join us but all are welcome: all students in the field of ergonomics - research students, masters students, and undergraduate students, and recent graduates pursuing their careers either in industry or academia. Furthermore, anyone interested in ergonomics who wishes to learn more about it or anyone wishing to offer their knowledge or learn from member of this group is also encouraged to join.

Aims and Objectives

The driving force behind the Early Career Researchers SIG is two-fold. For the student there is the need to provide a national supportive platform for ergonomics research students, sharing the knowledge and expertise gained from the different background of our members and having a body through which to liaise with student groups in other countries. For the IEHF there is the opportunity to directly and meaningfully involve current research students who, in the vast majority, will be the members of the Institute tomorrow as academics, researchers, practitioners and consultants. Therefore the SIG has the following aims and objectives:

• Aims
  • Establish a community of peers that is supportive socially and technically to promote the sharing of ideas, concepts and theories in all area of ergonomics/human factors in educational entities and industry
  • Raise awareness about the key role ergonomics research plays in and for industry and consultancies by establishing a long lasting network of ergonomics researchers bridging any gap between industry and research
  • Create forums within existing journals, newsletters , websites and conferences, and by developing new ones to disseminate research students' work
• Operational objectives
  • Encourage membership from all research students, and also academics, researchers and practitioners of all areas of ergonomics study and application
  • Develop links with professional ergonomists with all specialisms that wish to share their knowledge and expertise
  • Encourage communication, dialogue and exchange of information between members and the wider IEHF to discuss current issues and to share knowledge and opportunities
  • Encourage communication between members, universities, sponsoring companies, research groups and other interested parties in ergonomics
  • Support collaboration with similar groups internationally – contact has already been made with a similar group of PhD students in France
  • Encourage members to share their progress and difficulties in doing a research degree and provide support for:
    1. members of the IEHF
    2. any research students or interested parties in conducting research in ergonomics
    3. providers of research education/training – both educational and industrial entities
  • Ensure all members have a forum to share their concerns and seek help about the work they are conducting
  • Provide support for the dissemination of research in journals, magazines, newsletters and other means of mass communication such as newspapers, blogs, and internet pages
  • Encourage our members to take an active role in the work and decisions of the IEHF
  • Maintain a strong contact and involvement in the IEHF with Rebecca Anderson-Palmer (one of the founding members) as the main contact due to her newly appointed position as a Council member

How do I join?

To join us please email us stating your interest and you will be added to our mailing list and discussion forums. Membership of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors is encouraged but not required. All members will, nevertheless, be encouraged to publish their profiles and research in the IEHF newsletter 'The Ergonomist' where the SIG writes a column.

Our current platforms

The Early Career Researchers SIG is still in the initial stages of development and several platforms are in the process of being created to support our aims and objectives. Our mailing list is now in operation with several discussion forums and with specific areas where you can ask or provide help regarding literature, statistics, and software, amongst other topics. You will find further information here as new platforms become available.