Welcome to Conference Central!
This is where you'll find all the information you need to make the most of your time at the event.
(You might need to enable all cookies to ensure you can see all the content. Click the red icon in the bottom left corner of your screen to change them.)
First things first...
Please read through the list below to make sure we've got everything we need for your booking.
- Check you've told us about any dietary requirements.
- Check you've told us about any accessibility needs.
- Check your ticket to make sure you've booked exactly what you want.
Refer to the screenshot which shows what you'll see when you view your booking.
Get ready...
If you're a presenter, you're attending a Masterclass or you're an exhibitor, click the relevant boxes below to help you prepare.
Presenters: Talks
Congratulations for having your paper accepted for this conference!
What do I need to prepare?
Please prepare a 15-minute presentation using PowerPoint slides in a 16:9 format.
Top tips: You are the presenter, your slides are a visual aid for the audience. Don't try to cram everything you want to say onto your slides! Keep them memorable and design them using good human factors principles.
Before you begin, please take the time to watch this entertaining TED talk by the author of 'How to Avoid Death by Powerpoint' which has some great tips for preparing slides. (If you can't see the video, here's the link.)
Where do I send my presentation once it's ready?
Please email your presentation to [email protected] by Monday 20 April and bring it with you to the event on a USB stick. Let us know if it contains any video or audio files so we can check they work ahead of time.
When and where am I presenting?
Please check the programme so you know which session you’re in and what time you’re presenting.
What do I do when I get there?
Get to the room at least 5 minutes before the session starts, sit at the front and introduce yourself to the session chair and the Secretariat who are all there to help you.
What equipment will I have?
Your session room will have a laptop, projector and screen.
If you're presenting in Session Room 1, there will be a lectern and fixed microphone. You can have a lapel microphone if you wish. You’ll also have a ‘comfort monitor’ in front of you so you can see what’s coming up next.
Your presentation will be pre-loaded onto an event laptop by our AV technicians (you will not be able to use your own laptop) and you’ll have a clicker to control your slides. If you need notes to make your presentation, please bring a printed copy or device to refer to.
How will I know how long I've got left for my presentation?
The session chair will introduce you to the audience and invite you to make your presentation when it’s time. The Secretariat will help you keep to time. When you get close to 15 minutes, they will show you signs with ‘5 minutes to go’, ‘2 minutes to go’ and ‘Stop now’! You’ll have 5 minutes to answer questions from the audience afterwards. These will be managed by the chair.
Presenters: Posters
Congratulations for having your paper accepted for this conference!
Your poster will be featured in our quick-fire ‘Just-a-Minute’ session on 27 April at 14:30 in the main session room.
What you need to do now:
1.Prepare your presentation slides
Prepare two slides in 16:9 format to accompany your presentation. Email your slides to [email protected] by Monday 20 April. We’ll put the slides from all presenters into a single presentation and display them for you while you concentrate on talking to the audience.
2. Prepare your 1 minute presentation
You’ll get exactly one minute to speak to try and persuade the audience to come and see your poster and talk about your work. Be concise in what you say and make good use of your slides. Tip: don’t try and explain your poster in this minute; you’ll get the chance to talk to interested delegates in more detail afterwards.
3. Prepare your poster
Your poster must be prepared to A0 paper size (841mm x 1189mm) in portrait orientation. Don’t get your poster laminated as it will be too heavy to hang up!
Top tips: Your poster should effectively communicate your research or work visually and should not simply reproduce your written work at poster size. Please take time to watch this video about how to create better posters. (If you can't see the video, here's the link.)
4. On the day
Bring your poster with you to the conference registration desk when you arrive. We've got boards and sticky things and will put your poster up for you, so you don't need to worry.
At the Just-a-Minute session, you’ll be asked to gather at the side of the stage with the other poster presenters. We’ll usher you onto (and off!) the stage when it’s your turn to present your slides. You’ll see a countdown on a screen in front of you so you’ll know how long you’ve got.
Your poster will be displayed outside the main session room. At the end of the presentations, you'll need to go and stand next to your poster so delegates can come and talk to you.
Please take your poster away with you at end of the conference, otherwise we’ll be happy to recycle it.
Masterclass attendees
Our Masterclasses are 2.5-hour workshops run by experts in their areas. Please check the Masterclasses you've booked below so you know what to expect.
Monday morning
Masterclass 1: Work Domain Analysis, led by Gemma Read & Paul Salmon, University of the Sunshine Coast
Work Domain Analysis (WDA) is the first phase of the well-established human factors Cognitive Work Analysis framework. As a standalone method, it's a powerful approach for the modelling of all kinds of complex sociotechnical systems for the purposes of evaluation and / or system re-design. This workshop will take attendees through an eight-step methodology for developing a WDA model. You'll be provided with software to support the development of WDA models and will leave with the skills to explore the boundaries and interdependencies of any complex system. You'll gain practical experience in applying WDA to build system models across a range of contexts and you'll get insights into how these models can be used in system evaluation and system re-design.
Masterclass 2: Workspace Design, led by Chris Vincent, BAE Systems Submarines
Socio-technical systems analysis considers the relationship between people, cultures, organisations and technology. For some time engineering approaches have included people-related factors, however, an increasing use of distributed, ubiquitous and intelligent technology challenges traditional approaches. For workspace design there will be myriad of shaping factors that impact physical and cognitive demand. We need to understand and incorporate these factors to provide for safety, performance and wellbeing given that modern environments are inherently changeable and form part of distributed socio-technical systems.
In this Masterclass, we consider how we balance various approaches. Part of this involves recognising the impact of new technology on the design process. On one hand, formal and computation approaches can be worth the investment given the need for constant and rapid re-evaluation. Structured approaches support decision quality through drill down and trade-off analysis. On the other hand semi-formal / semi-structured methods such as table top evaluations deliver insight and amalgamation of perspective but aren't always generalisable and may not scale easily. This Masterclass will compare and contrast alternative approaches.
The benefit of selecting the right tool is the cost of change can be reduced, timelines accelerated and decision quality facilitated. With the right approach a workspace solution can be developed over time at varying levels of fidelity and maturity. When parts of the overall solution change, the solution can be re-evaluated quickly and ongoing assurance can be provided. This forms part of a new approach to human factors practice - one that is inherently distributed, integrative and pervasive.
Tuesday afternoon
Masterclass 3: Human Reliability Analysis, led by Ned Hickling
In this Masterclass, you’ll explore what human error and human failure really mean - and what they don’t. You’ll see clearly what Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) can achieve, where its limits lie, and how different methods compare. You'll be walked through the process of carrying out HRA within a risk assessment project, tackling the methodological and project challenges that arise along the way.
You’ll gain practical insight into the benefits and difficulties of applying HRA, especially the need to recognise and manage uncertainty. You'll look at how HRA connects with wider project processes, the competencies you’ll need to succeed, and the tricky issues of Human-Computer Interaction and human dependence.
By the end, you’ll not only understand the tools and approaches of HRA but also what it takes to be a confident, competent analyst in this demanding field.
Masterclass 4: Physical ergonomics, led by Matthew Birtles from HSE
In this MAsterclass, you'll learn about various aspects of HSE's approach to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk management including when to assess, which tools to use (focusing on HSE tools), HSE's regulatory activities and focus, followed by discussion on risk reduction.
Wednesday morning
Masterclass 5: Human Supervisory Control, led by Ron McLeod
Contrary to the expectations of many of those responsible for investment or procurement decisions, rather than removing the need for people in a system, the introduction of automation nearly always changes the role and responsibilities of the people that remain. Introducing automation to control activities performed in real-time can remove the need for people to act as manual controllers. It always, however, introduces the requirement for people to fill the role of supervisory controllers of the automation. That is as true in the domains of healthcare, finance, domestic appliances and even professional sport, as it is in defence, manufacturing, energy, space exploration as well as road, rail, air and sea transportation. The psychological demands on people expected to fill the role of human supervisory controllers can be significant and challenging. Those demands, and what is needed to satisfy them effectively, are however rarely recognised, understood or taken into account in the design, validation, certification, introduction or support of the newly automated capability.
In this Masterclass, based on his new book “Transitioning to Autonomy: the psychology of human supervisory control”, Ron McLeod will help you understand the nature of those psychological demands, familiarise you with a comprehensive model of human supervisory control, and suggest approaches that can be useful in understanding and evaluating the risks associated with the new role. The comprehensive model draws on scientific research and psychological constructs developed over the past more than 50 years together with a healthy dose of experience and learning from a lifetime spent as a human factors specialist. The model provides a framework that pulls together the many issues that need to be considered when developing and introducing automation to control real-world activities.
The Masterclass will involve a high degree of interaction and group working and will encourage you to share and reflect on your own experiences. You'll be introduced to, and will have the opportunity to practice using, a simple tool – the Proactive Monitoring Assessment Tool for Human Supervisory Control. POMATsc can be used to estimate the quality of implementation and support expected to be provided to a human supervisory controller of a newly automated activity while it is still in development.
If you need to advise developers or operators of highly automated control systems about the human factors issues they should consider to ensure the people that will be relied on to supervise and oversee the performance of the automation, this Masterclass will ensure you'll be able to fill that role effectively, safely and reliably. You'll also have the opportunity to buy a heavily discounted copy of Ron’s book.
Masterclass 6: Effective communication, led by Shelley Stiles, Gateway Consultants (HSW) Ltd
Tell, Show, Involve: Effective communication for human factors professionals. Communication lies at the heart of human factors practice - influencing how we share insights, shape understanding and drive safer, more human-centered systems. During this Masterclass you'll examine the importance of the message and its content, the ways delivery style shapes understanding and engagement, and the influence of the physical environment on communication effectiveness.
Through real-world examples from construction, civil engineering, transport and rail sectors, combined with interactive exercises, you'll strengthen your ability to communicate clearly, persuasively and collaboratively, from frontline workforce to management. We'll also discuss the wider application to other sectors.
Exhibitors
What equipment will I have?
You’ll have a 3m x 2m stand for each day, with a table, chairs and power if you need it.
Where can I park?
You can park in the car park directly opposite the conference centre entrance.
When can I set up?
You can set up from 08:00 on Monday 27 April (or the evening before). Break-down is from 16:20 on Wednesday 29 April.
Will there be lunch and refreshments?
A buffet lunch and refreshments will be available to you and all delegates right beside the exhibition space.
Get set...
We've got a whole bunch of things going on around the main conference programme. Take a look now as some will need you to book a place - but they're all free! Just click on the headings for more details.
VR Experience and car simulator
On the Monday evening, visit the University of Nottingham's VR suite and car simulator to experience immersive technology up close!
Just a leisurely walk across campus, try interactive VR environments and take a tour of the car simulator to explore virtual worlds, visualise complex concepts and see the future of technology in action.
Drop-in to the car sim whenever suits you, but spaces for the VR suite are limited - book your session now by selecting 'get more tickets' in your existing booking.
Sector stands
Sector stands
Look out for places in the exhibition area where we'll be bringing together those with a common interest in different sectors.
We're keen to hear what you would like to discuss at future online meet-ups or whether you have ideas for, or could host site visits.
Mealtime meet-ups
Mealtime meet-ups
We're keen to facilitate networking between those that have common professional interests. This could be interest in a particular sector or career opportunities. We'll look to gather either over breakfast or lunch.
Check back for more details as the conference approaches.
Quiet zones
Quiet zones
There's plenty of quiet spaces to do emails, take phone calls or just to wind down and be calm, including the reception and bar area of the hotel or in the foyer and mezzanine of the conference centre.
Please keep your phone on silent at all times in session rooms and the communal areas. If you're making calls, please don't use loudspeaker and speak quietly so as not to disturb others.
If the weather's good, the University grounds provide pathways for you to stretch your legs and benches for you to sit and get some air.
Go!
Check out our most up-to-date programme of all the activities taking place over the full three days of the event. You can pick up a pocket-sized, printed version when you arrive so you don't miss a thing.
Questions you might have
What have I booked?
Take a look at exactly what tickets you have.
How do I get to the conference venue?
The address is East Midlands Conference Centre, Beeston Lane, Nottingham NG7 2RJ, United Kingdom
If you're travelling by car, from the M1, leave at junction 25 and follow signs for Nottingham on the A52. At the roundabout near the Toby Carvery, turn right onto the A6464 and follow signs to the University Park West Entrance. Once inside campus, follow signs for the East Midlands Conference Centre.;
If you're travelling by train, the nearest major station is Nottingham (about 4 miles from the venue). From there, you can take a taxi (approx 10-15 min) or local bus/tram services towards the University Park Campus, then walk to the conference centre (about 20 min walk from the tram stop). Beeston station is also nearby (5-10 min to the venue in a taxi).
If you're flying, East Midlands Airport is the closest airport (around 14-20 min by car). Birmingham Airport is also an option (about 90 min by car) and has good onward rail links to Nottingham.
Is there car parking?
Yes, the conference venue has over 200 parking spaces, including accessible spaces for blue badge holders. There are electric car charging points too.
What do I do when I arrive?
Please check in at our event registration desk to pick up your delegate badge, a pocket-sized programme and any latest information. There will be someone from our team there every day, all day from 08:00.
If you're staying overnight at the conference venue (The Orchard Hotel), check in is from 15:00.
I have a dietary requirement, what should I do?
Make sure you have told us about it in your booking details. If you're not sure, check it now. For dietary requirements, the venue will ensure food is clearly marked with allergens.
I'm a presenter, what day am I presenting?
You can find all details of days and times of presentations in the programme. Take a look now.
I'm a session Chair, what do I need to know?
Your role on the day is to introduce the session, invite the presenters up to the front to speak, keep the session to time and manage the Q&A with the audience at the end of each presentation. Presenters have 15 minutes for their talk and 5 minutes for questions.
You can check the time of your session and the presentations in the programme. See it now.
You should take a look at the presenters' papers ahead of time so you know the topic and to prepare a question or two, should the audience be a bit shy. All papers are available in the conference proceedings, which will be available to download in the next few weeks (check back here).
You’ll get support on the day from the Secretariat who will introduce you to the presenters and ensure the technical bits are taken care of. They will also help keep the presenters to time and will have roving mics for the audience’s questions.
I'm a Masterclass facilitator, what do I need to know?
You’ll have two and a half hours to provide some great CPD for delegates. Your room will be laid out cabaret style and will be equipped with a laptop, projector and screen (but feel free to bring your own laptop, adapters and cables).
You’ll have a flipchart and paper, marker pens and sticky notes.
Please schedule breaks around timings in the programme. Refreshments and a buffet lunch will be available in the exhibition area.
I'm attending the Doctoral Consortium, what do I need to know?
The Doctoral Consortium will take place on the morning of Monday 27 April.
The Consortium will give you the opportunity to present your PhD work and to see presentations from other researchers. There’ll be around 10 other students and two facilitators in the room.
Please prepare a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation (format 16:9 and bring it on a USB stick) to be given on the day, to cover the following points:
- Which year of the PhD you're in
- A brief background and context setting
- An outline of the current state of your work
- Your biggest challenge at the moment
In the group discussion that will follow, we’ll talk about any issues you’ve experienced during your PhD you’d like to raise, such as research, procrastination, writing. We can then talk about challenges and solutions as a group. Then, if time, we can also explore why you’re doing a PhD and what you want to do afterwards.
How much free time will there be to meet and catch up with other delegates?
There's breaks in the morning and afternoon each day (we've extended the length of these where we can, to give you more time). Lunches are self-serve buffets so you can eat and meet at the same time. During these times and in the evenings, and at any other time, you're welcome to use any of the venue's guest areas such as the reception area, bar and outside areas, to sit and have a chat.
What's the plan for the evenings?
On Monday evening, we'll be having a BBQ - a great chance to meet up with colleagues and friends and relax. Alongside this, you'll have the chance to visit the University of Nottingham's cutting-edge VR suite and car simulator! Whilst you'll be able to drop-in to see the car sim, spaces for the VR suite are limited. Select 'get more tickets' in your booking to check availability.
Tuesday evening will start with a drinks reception followed by our special conference dinner. We'll also be celebrating our award winners during a glittering ceremony!
Have I booked the Annual Dinner?
If you've booked a Mega Ticket, a Big Ticket or a Tuesday Dinner, B&B ticket then the Annual Dinner is included.
If you haven't booked any of these, you might still have booked a separate ticket for the Dinner. Check your booking.
What's the dress code?
Smart casual during the conference, more formal for the Annual Dinner on Tuesday night (Black Tie optional).
I need to pay, where can I get my invoice?
Log into your CIEHF account and go to My orders & invoices. You'll see a button where you can download your invoice for Ergonomics & Human Factors 2026. Click here to go straight there.
Where can I find out more about the papers and authors?
All the information is in the proceedings, a digital book of all the papers behind every presentation and poster at the event. You'll be able to download a copy in the next few weeks (check back here).
Who will be around to help on the day?
If you need help on the day or have a question, just ask any member of the Secretariat or the CIEHF team wearing distinctive yellow polo shirts!
How can I promote that I'll be attending?
You could announce it on LinkedIn - tag us with #ciehf and #ehf2026 and we'll repost.
What if I have another question?
Please email [email protected] or call 0330 135 9833.
How can I find out more about the Institute?
Explore our website and sign up to Think, our free monthly newsletter which is packed with the latest ergonomics and human factors news!
Follow us on LinkedIn to keep up-to-date on everything going on here at the Institute.
Consider joining us! Take a look at our Associate Membership where you'll receive benefits such as career support, learning material and a whole new network.
Meet our sponsors
Take a look at our exhibitors
Come and see our exhibitors who are eager to chat to you about what they do and how they can help you.
And finally...
The conference is a great opportunity for everyone to make new connections and enjoy some great conversations. Please adhere to the following guidelines to help ensure a safe, respectful and enjoyable experience for everyone involved:
- Be respectful: Treat everyone with respect and courtesy. There is no place for any form of harassment, discrimination or intimidating behaviour.
- Be considerate: Be aware of your surroundings and the impact of your actions on others. Avoid behaviour that could disturb or inconvenience others. For example, think of presenters and try not to be late for sessions.
- Be collaborative: Engage in discussions and activities in a constructive manner. Share your insights and be open to others' perspectives.
- Report issues: If you witness or experience any inappropriate behaviour, please report it to a member of the event team immediately.