Right after his keynote at the Applied Ergonomics Conference, we had a chance to sit down with Cassini Nazir, an interaction designer and professor at the University of North Texas. In his talk, Cassini encouraged ergonomics professionals to think more intentionally about curiosity and how asking better questions and designing with empathy can improve the systems and experiences people rely on every day.

And as it happened, his friend Mike Courtney was there too. Mike is a futurist who actually delivered the keynote at last year’s conference, so we talked with him about something many professionals are dealing with right now - the rapid pace of technological change and how to make decisions when things are evolving so quickly.

Two quick conversations, both recorded at the Applied Ergonomics Conference, about curiosity, design, and navigating a changing world.

This bonus episode was recorded live at the Applied Ergonomics Conference as part of Problem Solved LIVE.

Every great solution is a story worth telling.

Applied Ergonomics Conference sponsored by Applied Ergonomics Society
Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org

Have you streamed this episode yet?
In this special keynote spotlight episode of Problem Solved, IISE’s Frank Reddy sits down with Dr. Mark Benden, researcher, inventor of nearly 30 patents, and longtime leader in ergonomics innovation. With more than four decades of experience across military service, industry, and academia, Dr. Benden has helped generate over $2.5 billion in economic impact through human-centered design and workplace innovation.

In this conversation, he shares:

Join us for this inside look at one of AEC’s keynote voices. And don’t miss Problem Solved LIVE on-site at AEC, where we’ll be capturing insights from innovators shaping the future of ergonomics.

Applied Ergonomics Conference sponsored by Applied Ergonomics Society
Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok

Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org

In this special keynote spotlight episode of Problem Solved, IISE’s Frank Reddy sits down with Dr. Mark Benden, researcher, inventor of nearly 30 patents, and longtime leader in ergonomics innovation. With more than four decades of experience across military service, industry, and academia, Dr. Benden has helped generate over $2.5 billion in economic impact through human-centered design and workplace innovation.

In this conversation, he shares:

• How everyday frustration becomes invention
• Why “nuisance is the father of invention”
• How AI, motion capture, and wearables are transforming worker health
• The shift from injury response to real-time prevention
• And how to take ergonomic improvements from idea, to protection, to commercialization

Join us for this inside look at one of AEC’s keynote voices. And don’t miss Problem Solved LIVE on-site at AEC, where we’ll be capturing insights from innovators shaping the future of ergonomics.

Applied Ergonomics Conference sponsored by Applied Ergonomics Society
Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok

Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org