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building A world that works for humans by design, grounded in science.
building A world that works for humans by design, grounded in science.
Who we are
Who we are
Welcome to Rice University's Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Student Chapter!
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (est. 1957) is the world's largest scientific association for human factors/ergonomics professionals. Members come from various interdisciplinary backgrounds, including students, researchers, academics, and industry practitioners. Its mission is to advance the science and practice of designing for people in systems through knowledge exchange, collaboration, and advocacy.
The Rice University HFES Chapter is an established affiliate of the national HFES organization.
THE RICE HFES mission
THE RICE HFES mission
Our goal is to promote and advance the understanding of human factors involved in the design, manufacture, and use of machines, systems, environments, and devices of all kinds.
We do this via the exchange of of knowledge/methods in the behavioral, biological, and physical sciences, as well as the industrial, computer science, and engineering disciplines.
what we do
what we do
From hosting career panel talks, hosting socials at Valhalla, taking a group trip to NASA's Johnson Space Center, or visiting the Simulation Center at MD Anderson right down the street - we do it all!
Our ultimate goal is to bring greater awareness to the human factors discipline here at Rice. Whether it's your first time hearing the term "human factors" or you're a PhD student with years of experience in the field, we hope to offer something for everyone. Check out the list below of a sampling of a few of the activities/events we've hosted or taken part in the past few years.
Industry Talks w/ Professionals
Happy Hour Socials
Tour of the Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation, and Education (MITIE) Simulation Center
Weekly Blast Emails
Mentorship Program(s)
Group Field Trip to NASA's Johnson Space Center
Game Nights & Paint Nights
Annual HFES Conference Logistics (Rice Chapter Reception, Roommate Assistance, etc.)
Career Panel w/ Alumni, Academics, and Industry Practitioners
Holiday/End-of-Year Parties
Though this list is not exhaustive, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to better support our Rice community.
Have an idea you don't see here? Or did you really enjoy a past event and would like to see it again?
Please let us know! We'd love to hear from you. Use our Feedback Form below to submit your input:
What's human factors?
What's human factors?
Human Factors is all around you - and when done right, you may not even notice it!
Human Factors is the practice of engineering products, processes, or systems to work more efficiently with the human. It is the application of what we know about people - their abilities, needs, limitations - to the design of the equipment and environments around them.
Development is often centered around goals like reducing human error, optimizing safety/comfort, and increasing productivity. Whether it's designing modules for astronauts in space, surgical equipment for doctors in the OR, cockpit displays for pilots, self-driving cars, or an app for food-delivery drivers - human factors is everywhere.
If this sounds like it needs a combination of a broad range of disciplines, you'd be right! HF/E professionals often come together from a varied set of backgrounds: psychology, sociology, engineering, biomechanics, industrial design, physiology, anthropometry, interaction design, visual design, user experience, user interface design, and more.
At Rice, we are uniquely positioned and extremely lucky to have an entire program dedicated to Human-Computer Interaction & Human Factors (1 of only 20 programs in the nation that is fully accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society). You don't need to be in the program to join Rice HFES at all - but if you'd like to learn more about the program and the research labs in the HCI/HF Program at Rice, check out the link below.
Our Officers
Our Officers
Our Executive Board is made up of 8 officers that hail from a wide range of backgrounds and research disciplines - healthcare, computational modeling, teaming, spaceflight, driving, engineering, and more!
Learn more about them by visiting our Exec Board page link below!
hfes around the world
hfes around the world
Interested in getting connected with the greater HFES network? In addition to our Rice Student Chapter, HFES members also have local chapters throughout the United States, Europe, China, and the Middle East.
Check out the links below if you're interested in being either a local chapter member or a national HFES member!
Houston Chapter
Houston Chapter
Did you know we have a local chapter right here in Houston?
Houston HFES hosts several events throughout the year, including an Annual One-Day Symposium every Spring.
Members hail from local universities (including Rice University itself), as well as from organizations such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, BP, and HP.
If you're interested in becoming a member, check out the link below to go to the Official Houston HFES website. Additionally, you can stay informed of local chapter events by joining our Rice HFES mailing list.
human factors and ergonomics Society (national)
human factors and ergonomics Society (national)
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society is the largest multidisciplinary professional organization in the world for individuals in the HF/E field.
Members include students, psychologists, engineering, designers, scientists, and usability professionals; they come from industry employment, universities and colleges, government agencies, consulting firms, military research centers, public utilities, and more.
Interested in learning more about HFES or becoming a national member? Check out the links below! Student Affiliate Members are eligible for a discounted membership rate ($35). Check out our FAQ for more information on becoming a Student Member.
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