The Think Human exhibition, which also involves the and the , is now open to the public in Derby. It features displays from industry, universities, as well as the Museum’s own collection to help widen the understanding of how ergonomics and human factors impact our everyday lives.
The design approach explores how we interact with our systems, products, and environments to enhance performance, safety and comfort.
Visitors to the free exhibit will be able to experience and interact with examples of the University’s world-leading research and innovation using interactive installations, mannequins and actual products. These developments highlight how “thinking human” can improve daily interactions whilst at hospital or on the road, whilst also showcasing how sporting performance and participation can evolve.
Exhibition Director and Lecturer in Biometrology, Dr Rebecca Grant, hopes the exhibit will give members of the public a unique insight into how things work: “Many of us know the word ‘ergonomics’, but we often associate it with things like office chairs, neck pillows or have seen it often used as a bit of a throw away addition to a product description. However, it's much bigger than that and we want this exhibit to put an end to the cliches and misunderstandings. Ergonomics helps us to design big safety systems whilst aids us in designing transport networks and everyday products.
“We really want to use this opportunity to engage and inspire people to help them understand how much of life we can see some of these design elements in. We all know bits and pieces but the presence of ergonomics and human factors within the school curriculum directly contradicts the knowledge needed by those professionals across a range of industries in a rapidly expanding job market.
“There are so many learning, career and higher education opportunities in this space that we really need to meet, and with the development of things like digital interfaces, there are a whole host of jobs out there that are of real interest to up and coming generations.”
Exhibition Curator and Interpretation Lead, Ellie King, said "It has been an honour to work on this project, exploring the rich and diverse sector of human factors to bring together objects, stories, and research showcasing how human factors makes a real difference to people's lives."
She added "Think Human is also innovative because it showcases the humans behind human factors, shining a light on the incredible workforce of the sector, from academic researchers, students, consultants, and human factors teams working in areas from transport to healthcare, sport to aviation. We're really keen to inspire the next generation of ergonomists through this exhibition by exposing the teaching, jobs and skills of the sector and encouraging visitors to really see themselves Thinking Human in the future."
During a launch event for the exhibition, Professor Mark Young, CIEHF President, encourages people to take a look: “You will see how ergonomics and human factors is as much about process as it is about product – how it bridges the gap between designers and users, engaging with users from the outset, understanding their needs and wants, taking into account physiology, psychology, anthropometry, user experience and diffability.
“More than ever these days, ergonomics and human factors is about systems and this exhibition is as much about looking forward as looking back, thinking about the impact we can and should have on key issues facing society such as sustainability, health and wellbeing and the rise of artificial intelligence. Our world is increasingly facing challenges of complex systems, systems where everything is interrelated and it’s hard to anticipate from a given input what the output will be.
“People are at the heart of these systems and so ergonomists and human factors specialists are working in research and in practice to optimise not just the role of those people, but the effectiveness of that system as a whole.”
Derby Museums Trust Director of Commercial and Operations, Alex Rock, said: “It is crucial that public-realm environments such as museums and galleries provide space to for the public to engage with research, as we are doing here alongside Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ. It encourages debate, increases engagement with the work, and inspires future generations.
“Bringing the public into contact with the very cutting-edge of industry, technology and academic research is something that very few civic institutions can achieve successfully outside of museums and galleries. Long may we continue to do so.”
Think Human is open to the public free of charge until 22 December 2024 at the Museum of Making, Derby Silk Mill. Opening times and directions are available on the .