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African ergonomics research excellence under global spotlight

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Dr Jonathan Davy, Senior Lecturer at Rhodes University's Human Kinetics and Ergonomics Department
Dr Jonathan Davy, Senior Lecturer at Rhodes University's Human Kinetics and Ergonomics Department

Recognition in the field of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) can be a defining moment for any researcher, especially in Africa. This year, Rhodes University Senior Lecturer and Researcher Dr Jonathan Davy and University of Ghana’s Dr Augustine Acquah became the first two African recipients of the International Ergonomics Association’s Kingfar Early Career Award.

The journey to receiving the Kingfar Early Career Award was not a straightforward one for Dr Davy. He candidly admitted, "I was initially not going to apply for the award; I thought my research needed to be better and would not match up with others in my field worldwide." It was only through strong encouragement from colleagues, including Andrew Todd, Andrew Thatcher (from Wits University), and his wife Lindsay, as well as support from the Ergonomics Society of South Africa (ESSA), that Dr Davy decided to take the leap.

He describes the moment he received the notification as "a mix of ecstasy and disbelief”. The Kingfar Early Career Award is known for its competitiveness, making the win even more remarkable. Looking back, Dr Davy expressed immense gratitude to his colleagues from the Human Kinetics and Ergonomics Department at Rhodes University and  ESSA, as well as local industry partners, for their unwavering support. He emphasised that the award, although presented to him, was a collective achievement made possible by the valuable lessons he learned through interactions with these groups.

In 2019, the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) formed a partnership with Kingfar, a sustaining member of IEA, to support the Kingfar Early Career Awards.

This year's award bestowal marked a significant milestone for African HFE research, with two awardees hailing from the continent. Dr Davy is the first South African recipient, while another awardee, Dr Augustine Acquah, comes from Ghana. Ghana, not being an IEA member, nominated Dr Acquah through the ErgoAfrica network of ergonomics societies.

Dr Davy believes this achievement sends a strong message about the potential of African and Global South researchers in the HFE field, which has been primarily dominated by the Global North. He hopes that this recognition will inspire more students in South Africa and across the continent to pursue HFE as a career, thus addressing the discipline's underrepresentation in terms of educational, research, and practice opportunities.

Furthermore, Dr Davy points out that there is a growing recognition of the value of ergonomics in South African industries. Collaboration between academic institutions and industry is on the rise, allowing researchers like himself to apply their findings to real-world issues while preparing students for the evolving job market.

Dr Davy mentioned his attendance at the IEA's triennial congress in South Korea next year, which will serve as the formal platform for him to receive the prestigious award.

In a remarkable development, Dr Davy and a group of researchers from several institutions have been awarded a substantial research grant from the Wellcome Trust in the UK. This grant, worth approximately R58 million, will support their research on sleep and mental health in adolescents.

These achievements, along with those of his fellow South African recipient and collaborators, signify a growing presence of HFE research in Africa. As he continues his research endeavours, Dr Davy remains committed to advancing the field, bridging the gap between academia and industry, and inspiring the next generation of ergonomists on the continent.