Karen M. Feigh

Karen M. Feigh is a Professor and Associate Chair for Research at Georgia Tech's Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, with a courtesy appointment in the School of Interactive Computing. She directs the Georgia Tech Cognitive Engineering Center and is affiliated with the Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence (VLRCOE) and the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (IRIM). Her work spans computational cognitive modeling, socio-technical systems, and adaptive automation.

• Education: B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (Georgia Tech), MPhil in Aeronautics (Cranfield University, UK), Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering (Georgia Tech)

Research Focus: Feigh's research explores human-machine interaction in aviation, space operations, and robotics. She designs cognitive work support systems using field work, human-subjects studies, and mathematical modeling. Recent projects emphasize human-autonomy teaming and the human experience of machine learning across domains.

Leadership & Collaborations: She leads the Cognitive Engineering Center (CEC), founded in 2005, which brings together aerospace engineers, computer scientists, and education researchers. The CEC contributes to air/space procedures, military decision-making systems, and autonomous vehicle technologies.

Awards & Distinctions:

• David S. Lewis Professorship (2025)
• AIAA Wilbur and Orville Wright Graduate Award (2006)
• Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship (2005)
• NSF Graduate Research Fellow (2001-2006)
• Marshall Scholar (2001-2003)

Grants & Advisory Roles: Feigh has led and collaborated on FAA, NIA, ONR, NSF, and NASA-sponsored projects. She serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making and previously chaired the Human Factor and Ergonomics Society’s Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making Technical Group.