From The Ergoweb® Learning Center

Dieter W. Jahns Student Award Winner to Discuss Public Urinal Design Concept

The Foundation for Professional Ergonomics launched a student award competition in 2010, and the first recipient was Augusto Espinosa, with his design concept for a new public urinal. Named in memory of Dieter W. Jahns, a life-long advocate of the practice of Ergonomics and a leader in ergonomics certification, this is an annual award and is given to the student (or group of students) for an Ergonomics project that demonstrates the major practice areas of Ergonomics: Analysis, Design, and Evaluation. The purpose of the award is to advance professionalism in Ergonomics by recognizing educational activities that demonstrate how professional ergonomists serve to make our lives at work and at home healthier, safer, more productive, and more satisfying. This award is open to students (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Ergonomics and Ergonomics-related programs. Students who have completed their graduate degrees in the past year are also eligible. 

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) will hold a webinar in which Augusto will discuss the human centered research and design process he applied for this project.

About the Webinar

After a night on the town, Augusto Espinosa became motivated to redesign a common item that many people tend not to think about – the public urinal. Using a human factors/ergonomics approach, he designed a urinal that better utilizes space, promotes hygiene, and saves water. Follow Espinosa as he talks about the research and design process of this award-winning concept that could one day have a positive impact on both users and businesses.

Time and Date: Thursday, August 25, at 9:30-11:00 a.m. Pacific / 10:30-12:00 noon Mountain / 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Central / 12:30-2:00 p.m. Eastern / 5:30-7:00 p.m. GMT. The webinar is free for HFES members. Non-members may attend for $125. 

About the Presenter

Augusto Espinosa is a graduate student from the Human Factors Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human factors psychology and is working on completing his master’s degree in human factors and systems. Espinosa works as an environmental health and safety specialist at a chemical production facility in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Espinosa has been recognized for his work in numerous national competitions in human factors/ergonomics. Most recently, he was awarded the Dieter W. Jahns Student Practitioner Award for his ergonomics urinal design.

Peter Budnick, PhD, CPE, serves as a volunteer Director, Foundation for Professional Ergonomics, and is a member of HFES, where he volunteers in various capacities, including as Senior Editor, Ergonomics in Design.