About the Committe

The Committee on Human Factors is a standing committee that was convened by the National Research Council in 1980 at the request of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Committee is now under the aegis of the Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences.

Today, the committee's activities have expanded to include nonmilitary human factors problems as well. The purposes of the committee are to provide new perspectives on theoretical and methodological issues concerning the relationship of individuals and organizations to technology and the environment; to identify critical issues in the design, test, evaluation, and use of new human-centered technologies; and to advise sponsors on the research needed to expand the scientific and technical bases for designing technology to support the needs of its users.

Providing a formal and regular forum for sponsors to talk with each other and with a knowledgeable body of experts--an objective and neutral sounding board for the sponsors.
Giving sustained attention to the existing science base and the accumulation of knowledge and experience with human factors and related disciplines.
Placing the scientific knowledge concerning human factors in a public policy framework to make it accessible to the policy community.
Assisting sponsors in developing their research agendas by identifying technical questions that need attention, new research approaches that are promising, and opportunities for technology transfer between agencies and programs.
Conducting public conferences and workshops with presentations by noted experts to raise awareness and identify critical technical and policy issues in the area of human factors.
Selecting topics of current concern that warrant in-depth study by a panel of experts, separately contracted, that operates under the oversight of the Committee on Human Factors. This activity may involve the development of pertinent study proposals.