Dr Wen-Chin Li
- Director on Safety and Human Factors in Aviation
- Cranfield University
I am Course Director on the Safety and Human Factors in Aviation MSc at Cranfield University since 2020. My primary research activities encompass Human Factors in Flight Operations, Human-System Integration, Augmented Visualization, Artificial Intelligence in Digital Aviation, Fatigue Risk Management, and Future Flight Deck Design.
My research projects include the Development of Human-Machine Interface for Hydrogen-powered Aircraft (LH2, 2024–2025) and Powerplant Integration of Novel Engine System (PINES) (2023–2025) with Rolls-Royce PLC, and the Global Aeronautic Distress and Safety System (GADSS) Virtual Flight Data Recorder Project (2023–2026) with the European Space Agency. I have also led research on Safety and Human Factors in Digital Tower Operations (2022–2023), developed a new CPD course on stress management training in aviation (2021–2022), and developed training for Emergency Response and Planning in Aviation (2018–2019). In addition, my work includes Fatigue Risk Management for Air Navigation Service Providers, Human Factors Training for Air Traffic Controllers operating Digital Towers with the Irish Aviation Authority, and Human Factors certification in Remote Tower Operation at Cranfield.
My awards include the Silver Prize of the World Usability Design Challenge 2025, the Best Paper Award at the 7th International Conference on Transportation Information and Safety (ICTIS 2023), and the winner of “Best Lecturer” at the Student Choice Awards in 2022 (Cranfield University Student Association), as well as the Best Paper Award in the Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing and Service Industries in 2020. I am Chair of the International Conference on Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics, affiliated with HCII (2019–2025), I serve on the Program Board of the INCOSE Human-System Integration conferences (2018–2024), and I was on the Editorial Board of the White Paper on Aviation Human Factors 2020 (Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, United Kingdom). I led the redesign and successful CIEHF accreditation of the MSc SHFA Course, mapping each module to professional competencies and integrating up-to-date human factors theories, methods, and system safety frameworks derived from Cranfield Research Teams.
Sessions
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Human‑Machine Teaming
The Future Flight Deck Based On Human-Centric Design
As AI, automation, and virtual systems transform flight decks, the relationship between pilots and machines is being redefined. We explore the evolution from traditional interfaces and autopilots to true human–machine teaming, where the pilot remains central “in the loop.” How can intelligent systems generate and communicate scenarios, assist decision-making, and how emerging technologies—such as AR-enabled displays, adaptive interfaces, and virtual copilots— can enhance pilot performance and trust. It will also look at the balance between innovation, human factors, and regulatory constraints to ensure safety and usability remain at the core of next-generation cockpit design.