University of Michigan Human Factors & Ergonomics Society

The UM Chapter of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society promotes a user-centered approach to the design of all types of systems and devices.

Click here to read about some chapter event highlights from the 2008-09 year

Latest News and Upcoming Events

Review submissions and cast your vote for the Bad Designs on Campus (BDOC) Contest
Vote by midnight Wednesday Nov 11th.

1. Duderstadt Layout

2. Duderstadt Escalators

3. GG Brown Defibrillator Disaster

4. Tether Bus Handles

5. Duderstadt Automatic Doors

6. 1680 IOE Layout

7. Duderstadt Emergency Doors

Click here to cast your votes

 

Personal Finance Presentation
Thursday, 11/12, 5 PM
1680 IOE

HFES and INFORMS members are welcome to attend a presentation by former Ford VP Bob Mull. Bob's talk will focus on personal finance for students and young professionals. Light will be shed on how to make tax laws work for you as well. If you would like to learn more about how to keep the money you've got and make it work for you, come to this seminar. Snacks will be provided by co-sponsor INFORMS.

 

IOE 836: Seminar in Human Performance
Fall semester: Tuesdays, 9 - 10 AM
Room G699, IOE building

This seminar, open to the public, features weekly presentations from faculty and members of industry from around the country in the field of HF/E. Click here for the current F'09 seminar schedule. Email hfes.pres with any questions.

 

Event Highlights from 2008-09

For those who are curious about the types of events our chapter members organize and attend

 

Whirlyball! sponsored by Applied Safety and Ergonomics
Monday, 2/9
Whirly Ball of Ann Arbor

Our friends at AS&E sponsored a night out for one of their favorite activities, Whirlyball. This game is essentially a mix between hockey and basketball, played with a jai alai basket while driving a bumpercar that operates under a "different" control system - depending on who you ask, it's either intuitive or completely nonintuitive. It was a great time! AS&E also sponsored pizza for the 10 or so chapter members who came out and the AS&E employees. Thanks to Michael for sharing his pictures of the event (click for higher resolution).


 

ERGOLYMPICS!
Thursday, 1/29, 11:30 - 2:00
IOE Building Lobby

We hosted a series of challenging and fun short contests highlighting classic tasks in the study of physical and cognitive Ergonomics. Click here for pictures and scores from the event!

 

HFES Bowling Social
December 1, 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Colonial Lanes

Despite a snowy night, we had a good turnout for this social event, for which HFES sponsored the bowling and food for chapter members. Thanks to Sam and the others who helped organize this event, it was great fun!
Click here for pictures from Bowling Night 08

 

Bad Designs on Campus (BDOC) Contest
National Ergonomics Month - October, 2008

BDOC is a campuswide contest to increase awareness of HF/E issues during National Ergonomics Month (October). Through short problem descriptions and solution proposals, UM students get a chance to have some fun and vent frustrations about poor designs they interact with every day on campus. Last year, awards were given for each of two submission genres: text/graphics submissions and video submissions. Chapter members voted on the best submissions. Click here to go to the 2008 BDOC homepage and view the winners and other submissions.