This research topic draws on theories, models and methodologies issued from psychology, professional didactics, ergonomics and human factors (participatory and developmental ergonomics). The aim of this research topic is comprehensive, based on systemic and clinical analyses of activity. What sets us apart in this field is that we mobilize interpretative frameworks other than competency frameworks. In this case, we use models and analysis methodologies from ergonomics, human factors, interaction psychology and language sciences. The aim of this theoretical-methodological framework is to gain a better understanding of the complexity of human activity, so as to prevent the emergence of occupational hazards by developing appropriate intervention processes (training, awareness-raising, work reorganization, innovative devices). Gap analysis between “real risks” and “perceived risks”, as well as the role of “non-technical” skills in professional activities, are at the heart of this area’s work. While the first objective is to gain a better understanding of the human factors involved in some human behaviors, the second is to modify, evaluate and conceive design systems (socio-technical, training, awareness-raising, etc.) to reduce accidents or undesirable events in various particularly sensitive fields and sectors of activity (e.g., electrical risk in the construction industry, nuclear safety, medical and education care). From a methodological point of view, this axis is based on the combination of clinical and experimental approaches, enabling the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, borrowing from user-centered techniques (e.g., iterative co-design, personas, focus-group, user testing, iterative prototyping) and combining cross-data analysis (e.g., behavioral, attitudinal, eyetracking data, electrophysiological data).
Antonietta Specogna et Jérôme Dinet are the coordinators of this research axis.