Date of MSc: 1992-93
Project Title: Controls and Stereotypes
Pre-MSc Background: BSc in Industrial Engineering at Yildiz University, Turkey
Pre-MSc View of HCI/Cognitive Ergonomics:
I had some ideas about different principles – physiology, bio-mechanics, and anthropometry and their applications in the physical design of the work environment, but I was totally ignorant about any relation of Psychology to Ergonomics.
Post-MSc View of HCI/Cognitive Ergonomics:
I was surprised to see people with a Psychology background on the course and wondered why Psychology was relevant to the study of Ergonomics. However, it was very engaging and fascinating to be exposed to new concepts.
Subsequent-to-MSc View of HCI/Cognitive Ergonomics:
I recognised the relevance of Psychology for the study of Ergonomics.
Additional Reflections
My interest in Ergonomics started, while I was studying for my BSc. It was part of my Industrial Engineering degree and I wanted to take it a stage further. In those days, industries in Turkey were just starting to realise the benefits of Ergonomics and what it might bring to product design and to the work environment, more generally. I wanted to be part of it. After my degree, I spent time studying English in London and travelling. I spent quite a lot of time researching different universities before applying. The Ergonomics Unit at UCL looked very strong and well-connected and I love London, so I guess UCL was the obvious place to apply. I was very proud to be accepted.
John and Rachel were clearly extremely respected and highly regarded in the Ergonomics Society. I vividly remember being very anxious before my interview with John Long; but John made the interview very informal and relaxing.
I always thought John had a degree in Philosophy, just because his lectures were always very deep and cerebral and all about the principles of Ergonomics. On the other hand, Rachel’s lectures were more about practical applications.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course. The subjects were very detailed, the topics were very stimulating, and the course was very well structured. Studying in another language can be very daunting and studying such technical topics was challenging in my second language.
We were given the opportunity to experience different applications of Ergonomics in a wide range of industries through the visits, that were organised for us. Two of my favourite ones were the visits to a coal mine and to an airport control room. During these visits, you could see that the course was highly valued and very well connected with different industries. We also were presented with a wide range of case studies and had many experienced guest tutors to give of their specialist knowledge.
I never used ergonomics in my career. I try applying it in my own work and home environment in an informal way. My friends and family must be fed up with me complaining about products that are badly designed and not user-friendly. Being students, my children spend lots of time at a desk and on their computers and of course, the work environment constantly needs to be changed, because they are still growing up. I ensure that they have the best designed student work environment.
After my studies, I started to work for a charity and decided to pursue a different career path from my education. People often ask me if I regret about not following my education path. I guess the answer is no, I do not regret it. Rarely I do wonder what would have happened, if I had. Although, people on the course were wonderful and very friendly, I have only managed to keep in contact with one person from the course. She did very well in her Ergonomics career.