HFES webinars provide continuing education on a variety of topics and domains aligned with the interest areas of our technical groups. HFES webinars provide insights into the latest HF/E research and innovations. Our next webinars are listed below.
Upcoming Webinars
Workload by Design: How Visual Rating Scale Characteristics and the Reversed Performance Dimension Warp NASA‑TLX Response
Date: TBD
Description: The safety and efficiency of human-machine interactions is highly dependent on Mental Workload (MWL): a critical human factors construct frequently evaluated using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Despite its widespread use, NASA-TLX faces criticism for lack of standardized scale design and rounding practices. Furthermore, the reversal of the TLX’s “Performance” item scale causes confusion, and potential mis-response. This work addresses the listed shortcomings by (1) evaluating the effects of response format and rounding on NASA-TLX results, (2) identifying how select scale design characteristics impact participants’ rating behaviors and, (3) analyzing whether anchor label variations in the NASA-TLX Performance dimension result in mis-response. The key learning outcomes of this work are as follows:
NASA-TLX rating distributions are significantly affected by response format and rounding practices. The response format used to collect NASA-TLX ratings can influence experimental conclusions. Scale gradation pattern (alternating vs. static tick marks) and anchor labels (“Low/High” vs. “Very Low/High, and “Good/Poor” vs. “Perfect/Failure for Performance) significantly impact user’s Mental Demand and Performance ratings, respectively. Different combinations of these design characteristics also influence ratings on Performance and Temporal Demand scales. The reversed Performance scale results in reduced construct comprehension and increased response time. Ultimately, this work highlights the importance of standardized, un-reversed, NASA-TLX scale designs, informs its proper use in human-subjects research, and enhances both accuracy and reliability of MWL measurement.
Past Webinar Recordings
Human Performance Modeling Technical Group Webinar: Computational Models of Human Performance: An Algebraic Equation Approach
Original Air Date: January 15, 2026
HCTG, HFTH and SSE Joint Webinar: Connecting Human Factors/Ergonomics Theory with Applications in Health Care: Physical Ergonomics and Exoskeletons in Surgery
Original Air Date: November 21, 2025
ACTG Webinar: Teaching LLMs to See, Hear, and Respond: A Technical Framework for Situation Awareness
Original Air Date: November 06, 2025
Occupational Ergonomics Technical Group Webinar: From Student to Practitioner: Exploring Careers in Occupational Ergonomics (Part 3)
Original Air Date: September 18, 2025
Occupational Ergonomics Technical Group Webinar: From Student to Professor: Exploring Careers in Occupational Ergonomics (Part 2)
Original Air Date: September 16, 2025
Occupational Ergonomics Technical Group Webinar: Interdisciplinary Insights: Exploring Careers in Occupational Ergonomics (Part 1)
Original Air Date: September 11, 2025
Sustainability Technical Group Webinar: Human Factors in Sustainable Supply Chain
Original Air Date: September 10, 2025
Training Technical Group and Extended Reality Technical Group Webinar: Innovative Training Approaches to Evaluate and Enhance Human Performance
Original Air Date: August 13, 2025
Aerospace Systems Technical Group Webinar: Applying Human Factors Analysis in Designing Accessible Lavatories on Single-Aisle Aircraft
Original Air Date: August 13, 2025
HFES Perception and Performance Technical Group Webinar: Eye Tracking: How to Capture and Interpret User’s Point of View and Operator’s Gaze Strategies
Original Air Date: June 11, 2025
Interested in Hosting a Webinar?
Our webinars are delivered by subject matter experts, including HFES award winners, recent authors in Society publications, high-profile members and others conducting research or practice in key topical areas.
If you are interested in submitting a topic for consideration, please complete the submission form for the Webinar Committee's review.
Webinar Proposal Submission Form