Towards Building a More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Society: Interactive Sessions with the HFES Csouncil of Affinity Group (COAG) Leads

Human Factors and Ergonomics (HF/E) professionals, as part of their job, are required to consider the differences and varying perspectives of their human stakeholders (e.g., users, customers, teammates, sponsors). Beyond the performance of purely HF/E methodologies, practicing empathy and engaging with affinity groups (AGs) are recognized methods for researchers, designers, engineers, or product managers to achieve such understanding. In this two-part panel, the leaders of AGs and of the Council of Affinity Group (COAG) of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) will engage with the audience in conversational and interactive sessions aimed at both discussing and practicing empathy and engagement with community groups including AGs. The first session will be focused on experiential learning through interactive exercises. The second session will be reflective in nature and oriented toward follow-on actions and behavior change within and outside HFES. The sessions are expected to promote DEI in our HFES community and beyond. Discussion time: Two sessions (90 minutes each), one at the beginning of the conference and the second toward the end of the conference.