Ruth Esther Häusler Hermann

Dr. Ruth Esther Häusler Hermann serves as Team Leader for Human Factors at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) School of Engineering, where she directs research on human-automation interaction in safety-critical systems. Her work integrates engineering and psychological methodologies to enhance performance in aviation, nuclear safety, and industrial automation contexts through empirical field studies and experimental design.

Her academic foundation includes a PhD and Master's in Psychology from the University of Bern (2000-2006), supplemented by higher education didactics certification at ZHAW in 2011. Professional roles span the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (2014-present), Federal Office of Civil Aviation (2004-2010), and co-founding Human Factors Solutions GmbH (2005-present).

Häusler Hermann's research program emphasizes:

• Objective measurement of cognitive states using eye-tracking and psychophysiological parameters
• Evidence-based training systems with real-time performance feedback
• Human factors in automation design for aviation and nuclear safety
• Root cause analysis methodologies for incident investigation
• Human-robot collaboration frameworks for industrial applications

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strategic focus on artificial situational awareness systems, with increasing integration of AI in air traffic control and cockpit interfaces. Her work consistently bridges laboratory experimentation with real-world implementation, prioritizing human-centered design in high-stakes environments where automation failures could have catastrophic consequences.

She leads the Horizon 2020 AISA Consortium project on human-machine distributed situation awareness and serves on EASA's Human Factors Advisory Group. Current research includes field studies on AI-based conflict detection for air traffic controllers and novel augmented reality assistance systems validated through controlled cockpit experiments.

As head of ZHAW's Human Factors research group, she maintains active collaborations with the European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP) and Switzerland's Nuclear Safety Commission. Her team operates at the intersection of cognitive psychology, systems engineering, and data science, developing measurement protocols that translate lab findings into practical safety interventions for aviation authorities and industrial clients.