Human Factors
Human Factors researchers study and optimize the interface between humans and systems or technologies. Our faculty work in multiple pillars of industrial engineering, but always keep the human in the loop. This allows for better adoption of systems, methods, and plans. Even as AI blurs the lines between what humans can do and what computers can do, our people are there to make sure AI works with and for us.
Lillian Gilbreth, the "Grandmother of Purdue IE", was the first woman inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. Her time at Purdue planted the seed that has become the strongest and most diverse Human Factors program. The Edwardson School has grown and changed since those work-study years, but our international leaders work to bring the human element into everything from autonomous driving, medicine, occupational safety, mental health, robots, and even AI.
