Our goal is to understand and support what makes a good work system. To achieve this goal, we continuously reflect the methodological and theoretical toolbox of Human Factors and Ergonomics as well as our own research agenda by following two steps:

In a first step, we investigate practice patterns in work systems to identify relevant problems and their underlying challenges. In a second step, we identify the factors that are essential for a well-functioning work system and analyze potential inhibiting factors.

In this sense, we do not limit Human Factors and Ergonomics - and research in our division -  to an applied science that only reacts to problems that emerged from the interplay of humans and (new) technology. We rather consider Ergonomics to be a science that needs to understand the history and presence of a work system in order to think about and design its future.