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15th Ergonomics Society of South Africa Conference (ESSA2025)
"Reflecting on the past, designing for the future: shaping Human Factors / Ergonomics in Africa"
15th & 16th October 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa
SECOND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
The field of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) plays a critical role in shaping the design of systems, tools, environments, and processes to enhance human well-being and overall performance. In the African context, rapid technological change, evolving work environments, and diverse socio-cultural dynamics intersect, hence the relevance of HFE is more pronounced than ever.
The 2025 Conference of the Ergonomics Society of South Africa, themed "Reflecting on the past, designing for the future: shaping Human Factors / Ergonomics in Africa", offers a timely opportunity to examine the trajectory of HFE across (Southern) Africa. It invites reflections on past developments— both the achievements and the gaps—in research, education, and application of ergonomics principles within African industries, communities, and institutions. Furthermore, the conference should challenge us to look ahead: to design for emerging futures that are equitable, context-sensitive, and innovative. As (Southern) African societies navigate complex challenges such as urbanisation, climate change, digital transformation, and public health demands, the role of HFE becomes increasingly strategic.
This conference aims to serve as a multidisciplinary platform where academics, practitioners, policymakers, students, and community stakeholders come together to exchange knowledge, showcase research, and collaborate on practical solutions tailored to the African context. By fostering critical reflection and forward-thinking dialogue, this conference seeks not only to advance the field of HFE in Africa but also to empower the next generation of ergonomists, designers, and systems thinkers to lead change in their communities and beyond.
We invite individuals to submit abstracts that capture:
- Empirical studies
- Case studies and examples of best practice
- Theoretical contributions
- Methodological articles involving technology for recording and/or analysing humans at work
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Topics can include, but are not limited to:
1. The Foundation and Evolution of Ergonomics in Southern Africa - Exploring the historical development, key milestones, and regional contributions to the growth of human factors and ergonomics. Examples:
• Historical overview of ergonomics in Southern Africa.
• Case studies of early ergonomics interventions in different industries.
• Profiles of pioneers and local champions in HF/E.
• Traditional knowledge systems and their relevance to ergonomics.
• Evolution of local ergonomics research and education.
• Case studies of landmark projects or policies.
• The evolution of human factors/ ergonomics legislation and the impact on the implementation and management of HFE.
2. Advancing HF/E Education & Training, Capacity Building, and Professional Development in Southern Africa - Strategies for strengthening academic programs, research capacity, and the HF/E profession across Southern Africa. Examples:
• Curriculum design and pedagogy for ergonomics education.
• Strategies for developing HF/E qualifications in underrepresented regions.
• The role of mentorship in professional growth.
• Online and hybrid training approaches for HF/E professionals.
• Training approaches for multidisciplinary teams (e.g., engineers, healthcare workers)
• Translating theory to practice
3. Shaping Policy, Standards, and Advocacy for Ergonomics Integration - Promoting the inclusion of HF/E in national policies, regulatory frameworks, and industry standards to enhance safety and performance. Examples:
• Ergonomics in national occupational health and safety policies.
• Development and adoption of regional HF/E standards.
• Collaborations with regulatory bodies (e.g., Dept. of Labour, SABS).
• Advocacy strategies for embedding ergonomics in policymaking.
• Legal frameworks and ergonomics enforcement challenges.
4. Human Factors for Health, Safety, and Wellbeing - Applying HF/E for the prevention of injuries, illnesses, and psychosocial risks, promoting worker health and wellbeing. Examples:
• HF/E in workplace wellness programs
• HF/E approaches to reduce musculoskeletal disorders.
• Addressing psychosocial risks and mental health at work.
• Fatigue risk management in safety-critical contexts.
• Designing for inclusive and accessible work environments.
• Human factors in accident investigations and safety audits
5. Contextual and Community-Based Ergonomics - Designing solutions that are grounded in local knowledge, social dynamics, and the lived experiences of communities, particularly in informal settings, and resource - limited environments. Examples:
• Ergonomics in informal or subsistence economies (e.g., street vending, farming).
• Participatory ergonomics in rural and underserved settings.
• Gender-sensitive HF/E in local contexts.
• Case studies from community-based participatory research (CBPR)
• Ergonomics in disaster risk reduction and resilience building
6. HF/E Interventions: Design, Implementation, and Impact Evaluation - Evaluating the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions across sectors, from initial design through to real-world impact.
• Evaluation of ergonomics programs
• Cost-benefit analysis of HF/E interventions
• Implementation challenges in SMEs or public sector
• Longitudinal studies on the impact of ergonomic changes
• Lessons from failed or adapted interventions.
7. Designing Future Work: Automation, AI and Digital Transitions - Investigates how HF/E is adapting to and informing work design and human-system interactions in a world with rapid technological changes, including automation, artificial intelligence, and digitization. Examples:
• Human factors in the integration of AI in the workplace
• Ergonomic risks and benefits of remote work and hybrid models
• Designing interfaces for augmented reality (AR)
• Skill shifts and cognitive load in digital work environments
• HF/E challenges in Industry 4.0 transitions
8. Human-Technology Interaction and Socio-Technical Systems - Investigating user experience, usability, and system design in increasingly complex and technology-driven environments and the effects of these interactions on system performance, safety and efficiency. Examples:
• Usability testing of health or educational technologies
• HF/E in transportation systems (e.g., road, rail, aviation)
• Human-robot collaboration in manufacturing
• Control room ergonomics for energy or utility sectors
• Modelling socio-technical systems in disaster response
9. Applied Human Factors across Industry Sectors - Showcasing practical applications of HF/E in sectors including, but not limited to, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, mining, education, and transport, etc. Examples:
• Ergonomics in agriculture and food processing
• HF/E in mining: equipment design and fatigue management
• Human factors in the design of public infrastructure
• Ergonomic interventions in call centres or financial services
• Case studies from transport, logistics, education, or tourism
• HF/E in high-risk industries (e.g., mining, construction)
• HFE contributions to a sustainable future
Call for abstracts open 20 May 2025
Submission deadline 11 July 2025
Abstract review period and feedback 14 – 25 July 2025
Notification to Authors 31 July 2025
Revised abstract submission deadline 8 August 2025
Final decision and confirmation 15 August 2025
Submit to: abstracts@ergonomicssa.com
Length: max. 400 words
Format: abstracts are accepted in WORD format
Structure: There is no specified structure for the abstract.
Contact details: Please include the following contact details when you email your abstract: Full name; email address; affiliation (i.e., organisation, university, etc.); alternate phone contact
Evaluation criteria: Abstracts are evaluated on the following criteria: (a) appropriateness to the symposium; (b) contribution to the subject area; (c) practical relevance or theoretical relevance to the audience; (d) scientific soundness of the research (where relevant); and (e) links to previous relevant work. It is also understood that all submissions must be original, free from plagiarism, and comply with established ethical and professional standards.
Enquiries about:
Submissions:
Miriam Mattison
conference@ergonomicssa.com
Exhibits and Sponsorship:
Sma Ngcamu
abstracts@ergonomicssa.com
