Prof. David Kieras has received the Jack A. Kraft Innovator Award from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, in recognition of his contributions as an outstanding researcher, teacher, and mentor in areas that span many theoretical and applied aspects of Human Factors/Ergonomics (HF/E) principles and methods, most notably in the area of computational models of human pefformance. The award was presented at the 54th annual meeting of the Human Factors and Erogomics Society in San Francisco.

The Kraft Award Subcomittee made the following remarks regarding their selection of Prof. Kieras: "David Kieras has extended the utility of computational models of human performance to new areas of research and system design. Principal examples of this work are the EPIC cognitive architecture and the GOMS modeling framework. His developmental work has received wide acclaim as the resulting tools and methods have demonstrated the potential for far-reaching impact. For example, his development of EPIC has had a significant impact by providing an integrated approach to the analysis of perceptual, motor and cognitive performance. These advances have enabled the human factors profession to push beyond basic psychological tasks to better address dynamic functions in complex world environments."

The Jack A. Kraft Award is given to an individual each year who has made significant efforts to extend or diversify the application of HF/E principles and methods to new areas of endeavor. In addition, recipients must have made effective efforts to encourage the application of HF/E knowledge and techniques in new areas. The field of endeavor should differ from previous military, space, government, or industry-supported work. Recipients are selected for the significance of their effort to society in general, the adequacy of the effort to accomplish intended objectives, and the impact of their effort on the HF/E profession.

Posted: November 5, 2010