Following the 22nd Triennial Congress in Jeju, South Korea, the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) appointed a new Executive Committee (EC) to guide the organization through 2024–2027. Professor Andrew Thatcher, a South African expert in cognitive ergonomics and sustainability, became the first President from an African federated society. He is joined by Vice-President Treasurer Professor Thomas Alexander (Germany), specializing in Occupational Safety and Health-related aspects and HSI, and Vice-President Secretary General Professor Nancy Black (Canada), an engineer focused on workplace ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorder prevention.
The new EC represents a globally diverse leadership, with committee chairs advancing initiatives across key domains. These include Professor Rosemary Seva (Philippines) leading the Science, Technology and Practice Committee; Professor Anindya Ganguli (India) heading International Development; Professor Martin Rodriguez (Argentina) managing Communications and Public Relations; Professor Wei Zhang (China) focusing on Development and Promotion; and Professor Verena Nitsch (Germany) overseeing Professional Standards and Education. Each chair contributes to shaping global strategies in research dissemination, education, standards, and outreach. Planning for the 2027 IEA Congress in the UK is underway, led by Ben Peachey and Rebecca Charles. Professor José Orlando Gomes (Brazil), immediate Past-President, chairs the Awards Committee, recognizing excellence in global HFE. Professor Takashi Kawai chairs the Information Technology Committee. Dr. Masaaki Mochimaru leads the Advisory Group on Standardization, overseeing IEA members’ involvement in developing international HFE-related standards (ISO).
The EC held its first strategic meeting in Aachen, Germany in March 2024, hosted by the German Society for Ergonomics (GfA). Nine members met in person and two joined virtually, marking an important milestone in fostering collaboration and aligning international efforts. Key topics included enhancing communication, supporting regional initiatives, and coordinating committee efforts. The GfA generously supported meeting logistics.
In 2025, the EC initiated a series of virtual gatherings to increase engagement. The inaugural Virtual Council Gathering on February 20 brought together over 40 representatives across two global time slots, discussing member growth, best practices, and quality in HFE. A second session is scheduled for June 23.
The next in-person Executive Committee and Council meeting will be held in Beijing, China on October 28–29, 2025, followed by the “HFE & AI 2025” international conference. With a strong support of the local hosts, Tsinghua University and the Chinese Ergonomics Society, strong global participation is anticipated, underscoring the IEA’s commitment to collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and impact.
