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International Ergonomics Association and Liberty Mutual Announce Occupational Safety Research Award

The IEA/Liberty Mutual Award in Occupational Safety and Ergonomics was instituted in 1998. The award and a cash prize of US$ 10,000 recognizes outstanding original research leading to the reduction or mitigation of work-related injuries and/or to the advancement of theory, understanding, and development of occupational safety research.

The IEA is inviting applications for the 2008 Liberty Mutual Medal

( Please note, the submission deadline is May 31, 2008 )

Through this prestigious award, the IEA seeks to recognize outstanding original research leading to the reduction or mitigation of work-related injuries. The main criteria include significant advancement of theory and understanding, innovation and development of new directions or approaches. The award recipient will receive a prize of $10,000.

Applicants need not belong to the IEA or any of its constituent groups. Relevant disciplines include ergonomics, epidemiology, biomechanics, cognitive and behavioural psychology, design, physiology, medical sciences, economics, engineering, etc.

Submission Requirements

To be considered for the Liberty Mutual Medal, the applicant must submit a letter of application and a research paper in the domain of accident prevention, injury reduction and/or early return to work, including rehabilitation. The paper must:

  • be scholarly in nature such as an original paper describing laboratory, field, or intervention research (see Q&A for further elaboration)
  • contain non-proprietary data
  • be unpublished at the time of submission (but may have been submitted for publication)
  • be thirty pages or less, single-spaced using point size 12 with 1 inch margins

The paper should address the following topics:

  • contributions of the research to theory, i.e., how the work had advanced the understanding of the causes of accidents and/or ability to mitigate occupational injuries or disability
  • aims of research
  • originality and creativity
  • study methodology
  • implications for risk reduction

The covering letter should highlight:

  • main innovative aspects of the study (e.g., approach, methodology, analysis, etc.)
  • anticipated contribution to occupational safety

An international review committee, established by the IEA, will select the winning contribution.

The authors of the winning paper are expected to submit the paper to one of the IEA-endorsed scientific journals (see list on the IEA website, www.iea.cc, section <<Stay Informed>>). Persons wishing to be considered for the 2008 prize should submit an application, including a separate covering letter and paper, both in electronic format, to the IEA Awards Committee Chair at the following address:

Prof. Pierre Falzon
CNAM
Laboratoire d’Ergonomie
41 Rue Gay Lussac
75005 Paris
France

Tel: +33 (1) 44-10-78-02
Fax: +33 (1) 44-10-79-34
E-mail: falzon@cnam.fr

The deadline for receipt of applications is May 31, 2008. Applicants will be notified of the results by mid-July. Announcement of the award winner will be made public on August 31, 2008.

For more information of to contact IEA, visit the IEA web site.