Research

The Cognitive Engineering Laboratory develops and applies cognitive engineering theory, frameworks and methods. Our enduring goal is to help people adapt to the novelty and change that characterize sociotechnical systems. Over the past decade, we’ve conducted this work predominantly in the natural resource and energy sectors.

The CEL has proposed, developed and employed several conceptual frameworks. Cognitive Work Analysis is a formative, constraint-based framework for analyzing complex sociotechnical systems. Ecological Interface Design is a theory-driven framework for human-machine interface design. Finally, we have adopted Lee’s conceptual model of trust in, and reliance on, automation to guide the study of, and design for, human-automation interaction.

Current Projects Projects Library Research Platforms

Current Projects

Empirical research at CEL is performed in both operational and laboratory-based settings. While field research in operational settings is indispensable to ensuring the relevance and validity of theoretical and applied work, laboratory-based work allows more experimental control, research flexibility, and lower cost. From CEL’s inception, researchers have employed computerized laboratory-based simulators as research platforms to develop and verify theoretical and applied research. CEL’s variety of research platforms allows freedom in selecting appropriate investigation strategies for a wide range of topics.

Design for Situation Awareness in Future Power Grid Operations

Conducting a work analysis, then designing and evaluating display concepts for power grid and electricity market operations.

Investigating Soldier Reliance on Automated Combat Identification Aids

Investigating the impact of automated systems on combat identification, specifically automatic target detection.

FocalPoint: Adaptive Level of Detail for Network Maps and Attack Graphs

Developing an adaptive system for determining appropriate level of detail (LOD) views for network systems and attack graphs, in order to improve situation awareness under cyber attack conditions.

Supporting Situation Awareness and Collaboration in Nuclear Power Plant Operations: The Role of Large-Screen Displays

Investigating claimed benefits of Large-Screen Displays in situation awareness and crew performance measures using Ecological Interface Design of HMIs for Candu EC6 nuclear power plants.

Discovering Adaptive Interpretation Strategies for Monitoring and Targeting in Energy Management

A work analysis of Energy Monitoring and Targeting, based on field study. Design and evaluation of a novel energy performance diagnosis tool.

Triggering Adaptive Changes in Mobile Process Operations

Developing novel use cases for mobile implementation of Distributed Control System (DCS) by applying adaptive automation to support knowledge workers. We will investigate the impact of adaptive human-machine interfaces on task efficacy, ease of use, operator acceptance, and development and maintenance of operator expertise.

Back to Top

Projects Library

Please select a sort option or search term below to view CEL’s past and present projects.

Display projects by:

Back to Top

Research Platforms

Empirical research at CEL is performed in both operational and laboratory-based settings. While field research in operational settings is indispensable to ensuring the relevance and validity of theoretical and applied work, laboratory-based work allows more experimental control, research flexibility, and lower cost. From CEL’s inception, researchers have employed computerized laboratory-based simulators as research platforms to develop and verify theoretical and applied research. CEL’s variety of research platforms allows freedom in selecting appropriate investigation strategies for a wide range of topics.

Automated Reliability Decision Aid System (ARDAS)

ARDAS is a human-in-the-loop predictive reliability ML-based simulation platform.

DURESS II

A single-operator thermo-hydraulic manual process control microworld.

HEPHAISTOS

A multi-operator reconfigurable supervisory process control scaled world.

Back to Top