Michael Nees | Photo by Adam Atkinson
Research area: My area of research is human factors and engineering psychology. Engineering psychologists apply knowledge of human psychology to design. I study human interactions with technology, with a focus on designing technology that is safe and user-friendly. Much of my research has focused on the design of auditory displays—the sounds that our devices, cars, and computers make to try to convey information to us. I have also published many papers on emerging driving technologies, like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance.
My Lafayette journey: Having attended a small liberal arts college myself, I always knew I wanted to be at a place like Lafayette. I was especially excited to work at a place that values both undergraduate education and faculty scholarship, and facilitates the intersection of those two things. The most fulfilling thing about teaching is always the relationships you form with students. It’s a tremendous privilege to spend one’s time teaching and learning from young adults, and I’ve only come to appreciate that privilege more as my career has progressed.
What receiving a full professorship means to me: Being promoted reflects a much-appreciated acknowledgment of my commitment to the institution, as well as Lafayette’s commitment to me and my work. On a more personal level, it is an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the last 13 years—my wonderful faculty and staff colleagues and the hundreds of amazing students with whom I’ve crossed paths.
What I will be teaching in the fall: PSYC 331: Human Factors and Engineering Psychology. This is always a fun class, as students are often surprised to learn about the role of psychology in engineering and design fields. I also will be teaching a new course—PSYC 271: Psychology of Humans and Technology. Like many of us, I’ve been trying to wrap my head around how our human psychological characteristics affect the technology we create, and how that ever-evolving technology in turn affects us psychologically. I’m looking forward to thinking through these questions with students in the course this fall.
Learn more about faculty who have been promoted to the rank of professor.
