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Technical Groups

Connect and Build Relationships with Others Sharing Common Scientific Interests

HFES offers various technical groups focused on specific human factors/ergonomics applications. Each group is led by elected and volunteer officers, with the chair also serving on the Council of Technical Groups (COTG). Membership in Technical Groups is available to both members and non-members.

Any individual is invited to join a technical group without becoming a member of HFES by creating a free account and remitting dues. Annual dues range from $4.00 to $7.00 USD.

The primary objectives of HFES Technical Groups are to:

Analyze field-specific issues from a human factors perspective
Promote research, application, and education in the field

Benefits of being a Technical Group member include:

Networking and building community with those who share professional interests
Enhancing professional skills and knowledge

Learn more about our 26 Technical Groups by selecting from the list below.

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Aerospace Systems

Formed in 1986, the Aerospace Systems Technical Group (ASTG) is concerned with the application of human factors to the development, design, certification, operation, and maintenance of human-machine systems in aviation and space environments.

Learn More | ASTG Website | Join the ASTG | ASTG Community Forum

Aging

Formed in 1979, the Aging Technical Group (ATG) is a community of professionals from industry, academia, and government organizations who share a common interest in human factors appropriate to meeting the emerging needs of older people and special populations in a wide variety of life settings.

Learn More | ATG Website | Join the ATG | ATG Community Forum

Augmented Cognition

Formed in 2007, the Augmented Cognition Technical Group (ACTG) is concerned with fostering the development and application of real-time physiological and neurophysiological sensing technologies.

Learn More | ACTG Website | Join the ACTG | ACTG Community Forum

Children's Issues

The Children's Issues Technical Group (CITG) comprises researchers, practitioners, manufacturers, policymakers, caregivers, and students interested in research, design, and application concerning human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) issues related to children's emerging development from birth to age 18.

Learn More | CITG Website | Join the CITG | CITG Community Forum

Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making

Formed in 1996, the Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making Technical Group (CEDMTG) explores how to apply scientifically-derived patterns of cognition (including decision making) to the design of machines, automation, training programs, and coordination environments for work systems (individuals, teams, and larger).

Learn More | CEDM Website | Join the CEDMTG | CEDMTG Community Forum

Communications

Formed in 1985, the Communications Technical Group (CTG) focuses on human-centered research and design of products, systems, and technologies that facilitate communications. Research covers communications-related software and hardware user interfaces, input/output methods, augmented and virtual environments, information and communications technologies, privacy, and inclusive design.

Learn More | Join the CTG | CTG Community Forum

Cybersecurity

Formed in 2019, the Cybersecurity Technical Group (CYTG) promotes work addressing human factors and human-computer interaction in cybersecurity. The Group engages professionals interested in this area, organizes sessions, and fosters community building.

Learn More | Join the CYTG | CYTG Community Forum

Education

Formed in 1974, the Education Technical Group (ETG) is concerned with (1) the design of educational systems, environments, interfaces, and technologies that facilitate learning; and (2) educating members of HFES and the public about human factors and ergonomics and providing educational materials for that purpose.

Learn More | ETG Website | Join the ETG | ETG Community Forum

Environmental Design

Formed in 1990, the Environmental Design Technical Group (EDTG) studies the relationship between human behavior and the designed environment to advance the integration of ergonomics principles in the design of home, work, educational, healthcare, and other shared spaces.

Learn More | EDTG Website | Join the EDTG | EDTG Community Forum

Extended Reality

Formed originally in 1995 as the Virtual Environments Technical Group, the Extended Reality Technical Group (XRTG) is concerned with human factors issues associated with human-virtual environment interaction. These issues include maximizing human performance efficiency in virtual environments, ensuring health and safety, and circumventing potential social problems through proactive assessment.

Learn More | XRTG Website | Join the XRTG | XRTG Community Forum

Forensics Professional

Formed in 1985, the Forensics Professional Technical Group (FPTG) is concerned with the application of human factors knowledge and techniques to "standards of care" and accountability established within the legislative, regulatory, and judicial systems.

Learn More | Join the FPTG | FPTG Community Forum

Health Care

Formed in 1989, the Health Care Technical Group (HCTG) is interested in maximizing the contributions of human factors and ergonomics to medical systems effectiveness and the quality of life of people who are functionally impaired.

Learn More | HCTG Website | Join the HCTG | HCTG Community Forum

Human Performance Modeling

Formed in 2006, the Human Performance Modeling Technical Group (HPMTG) focuses on the development and application of predictive, reliable, and executable quantitative models of human performance.

Learn More | HPMTG Website | Join the HPMTG | HPMTG Community Forum

Human-AI-Robot Teaming

Formed in 2020, the Human–AI–Robot Teaming Technical Group (HART) serves members who share an interest in studying teamwork among humans, artificial intelligence (AI), and robots, including the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the human–AI–robot team and team components.

Learn More | HART Website | Join the HART TG | HART TG Community Forum

Individual Differences in Performance

Formed in 1987, the Individual Differences in Performance Technical Group (IDTG) serves those who share an interest in any of the wide range of personality and individual difference variables believed to mediate performance.

Learn More | Join the IDTG | IDTG Community Forum

Macroergonomics

Formed in 1982, the Macroergonomics Technical Group (METG) focuses on organizational design and management issues in human factors and ergonomics as well as work system design and human-organization interface technology. Formerly named Organizational Design and Management Technical Group.

Learn More | Join the METG | METG Community Forum

Occupational Ergonomics

Formed in 1978, the Occupational Ergonomics Technical Group (OETG) is concerned with the application of human factors / ergonomics data and principles for improving safety, productivity, and quality of work in industry. It concentrates on service and manufacturing processes, operations, and environments, and product design.

Learn More | OETG Website | Join the OETG | OETG Community Forum

Perception and Performance

Formed in 1979, the Perception and Performance Technical Group (PPTG) fosters knowledge exchange in perception and performance research across diverse domains, such as transportation, process control, healthcare and space. Addressed topics include perception research technologies, perception support feedback technologies, human characteristics, and information presentation for improved task performance.

Learn More | PPTG Website | Join the PPTG | PPTG Community Forum

Product Design

Formed in 1976, the Product Design Technical Group (PDTG) supports its members in advancing their knowledge and implementation of principles and methods from user experience disciplines in the development of consumer, business, and medical products and services that are useful, usable, safe, and desirable.

Learn More | PDTG Linked In | Join the PDTG | PDTG Community Forum

Safety

Formed in 1974, the Safety Technical Group (STG) is concerned with the development and application of human factors technology as it relates to safety in all settings and attendant populations.

Learn More | Join the STG | STG Community Forum

Surface Transportation

Formed in 1994, the Surface Transportation Technical Group (STTG) provides a forum for individuals involved or interested in human factors to exchange information, methods, and ideas related to international surface transportation including movement of people or resources by road, rail, or sea.

Learn More | STTG Website | Join the STTG | STTG Community Forum

Sustainability

Formed in 2004, the Sustainability Technical Group (SUSTG) shares information and research methods on applying human factors and ergonomics to sustainability systems, such as transportation, food, energy, and product design.

Learn More | Join the SUSTG | SUSTG Community Forum

System Development

Formed in 1986, the System Development Technical Group (SDTG) offers a forum for fostering research and exchanging information on the integration of human factors and ergonomics into the development of systems. Members are concerned with defining human factors/ergonomics activities and integrating them into the system development process in order to enable systems that meet user requirements.

Learn More | Join the SDTG | SDTG Community Forum

Training

Formed in 1975, the Training Technical Group (TTG) serves as a hub that provides a mechanism for information interchange among people interested in all aspects of human factors as applied to training systems to enhance safety and performance outcomes across diverse industries.

Learn More | TTG Website | Join the TTG | TTG Community Forum

Usability and System Evaluation

Originally formed in 1986 as the Test and Evaluation Technical Group, this group updated its name to Usability and System Evaluation Technical Group (USETG) in 2020. The Usability and System Evaluation Technical Group unites human factors and ergonomics professionals to evaluate measurement techniques during the design and development process. We discover and share tools, methodologies, best practices, and lessons learned to optimize performance, safety, and user experience.

Learn More | Join the USETG | USETG Community Forum

User Experience

The User Experience (UX) Technical Group was formed in 2024 with the merger of the Internet and the Computer Systems Technical Groups. The User Experience Technical Group is concerned with advancing the research, design, and evaluation of user experiences in products, systems, and services, aiming to improve their design and functionality while fostering rich interactions between users and technology.

Learn More | Join the UXTG | UXTG Community Forum

In This Section

Additional Resources

Technical Group Handbook

Officers and Duties of Officers

Circle of Excellence Program