2 s
You could always ask any of them for more info - try via Liz.
But a few things include:
- help design and evaluate systems to meet user needs (e.g. Mode S);
- help investigate incidents to understand the things that contribute to them (technology, procedures, organisation, "human error", i.e. normal human variability) and identify and help implement measures to reduce risk;
- help implement major new projects (e.g. Heathrow tower, EFPS) to ensure user input and needs are represented properly;
- help assess risk asociated with new procedures and systems;
- help design training to ensure better learning;
- help implement the critical incident stress management programme;
- help evaluate major policy changes (e.g. reduced separation outide controlled airspace);
- help design and evaluate simulations for new airspace design proposal.
In a nutshell, human factors specialists try to ensure that user needs, limitations and capabilities are addressed as well as possible. Not an easy task, but an important one. It may not necessarly be very visibile, but generally it is about helping to fight your corner by applying some science and engineering. Doesn't always work, but we're only human too.