Speaker Profile
Prof.
Kim Vicente,
University of Toronto
“Modern Times: Solving Social Problems by Design”
11
December 2001
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Kim J. Vicente is professor of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto, and founding director of the Cognitive Engineering Laboratory there. Prof.
Vicente serves on the editorial boards of several international
journals, and is the recipient of several research awards, including
the Premier's Research Excellence Award, valued at $100,000. In
1999, he was chosen by TIME Magazine as one of 25 Canadians under
the age of 40 who is a "Leader for the 21st Century who will
shape Canada's future". |
Traditionally, engineers and scientists have focused on technology. These efforts have led to important innovations. However, many critically important problems in society cannot be solved by technology alone. A greater emphasis has to be put on the human aspect of design. This presentation will show that by designing technology that works for people, we can reduce human error and improve safety in a number of different industries. Examples will be provided from the aviation, nuclear, medicine, andpetrochemical domains. These examples have implications for academic research, corporate design, and engineering education.
Prof.
Vicente’s motto is
“If technology doesn’t work for people, it doesn’t
work.”
Here
is a more extensive biography for Prof. Vicente:
http://www.uhnres.utoronto.ca/ehealth/html/who/eh_who_bio_vicente.shtml
—Mona Albano, Programme Manager
See a review of Prof. Vicente's presentation to ToRCHI, "Is it Safer to Fly or to Stay in Hospital over Night?"
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